What cups and lids offered by Ekokubki are made from?
The products are made from drained cellulose pulp called bagasse, gathered from fast-renewable plant sources. Waterproofing is provided through biopolymer lining (PLA). Both components are 100% bio-based and 100% biodegradable.
How to define biodegradability?
Biodegradability is a quality of a material to become fully metabolized by microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, algae, into water, carbon dioxide, energy and biomass. Important factors attributing to biodegradation are sunlight, water and oxygen. Biodegradable materials should not be confused with ‘oxydegradable’ ones. The latter term is being referred to plastics supplemented with substances allowing oxygen-triggered decomposition. Products of such decomposition are not free from negative impact on the environment. Biodegradation is the only environmentally friendly process of decomposition. Only particular materials are fit for this process. This quality, distinguishing a particular material from others, is called biodegradability.
How to verify biodegradability of a product or its components?
A product is biodegradable if the same refers to all of its components. A product made exclusively from biodegradable materials is distinguishable by a restricted indication, quoting a legally recognized certificate, relevant standard and issuing entity. Legally recognized certifying entities in the EU are currently DIN Certco/TÜV Rheinland (DE), Vinçotte (BE), CIC (IT). All cups and lids by Ekokubki are certified biodegradable by DIN Certco pursuant to the EN13432 standard.
What particular qualities are confirmed by EN13432 certificate?
The EN 13432:2000 standard comprises a set of procedures, by which a listed certifying entity qualifies a product for compostability. The standard was developed in 2000, pursuant to 94/62 Directive. Hence, the standard EN 13432:2000 conveys that our products are compostable.
What is compostability?
Compostable materials constitute a sub-section of biodegradable stock. Compostability allows decomposition through composting. All compostable materials are biodegradable but not all biodegradable materials are compostable. There many practices of composting can be divided into two main sets: on-site (traditional) and industrial (composting in industrial facilities).
How to define composting in industrial facilities?
Industrial composting is used for production of growth-promoting agricultural enhancers from biodegradable materials. The name may indicate involvement of advanced technology, but in reality, the main difference between on-site composting and industrial one refers to applied temperature. The temperature involved in industrial composting is heightened and shall exceed 60 °C for no less than 1 week. After the lapse of 6 months of properly conducted industrial composting, the decomposed material is fully broken down in 90% or more. As mentioned earlier, not all biodegradable materials are compostable, so it is important to distinguish between the products which indicate biodegradability only, from ones, which are both biodegradable and compostable. What is more, an indication of compostability without a relvant quotation of compostability standard, is irrelevant and contrarious to domestic law of European countries and EU regulations. Compostability is defined through standards which refer to type and timespan of composting required for materials involved in a product. All cups, lids and other ecoware products by Ekokubki are compostable in industrial facilities.
Is biodegradability a sole criterion for eco-conscious FCM?
The answer is no. Biodegradability, even certified with a relevant compostability standard, is not enough to evaluate product safety for the environment. Another crucially important factor is the process of production, which must comply to the rules of sustainable development. Products originating from renewable sources are the only ones to meet the bio-based criterion specified in EN 16575:2014. All cups, lids and other ecoware products by Ekokubki are 100% bio-based.
Do specific properties of Ekokubki products affect quality of consumption?
Definitely not. Fulfilment of FCM requirements – both legal and customary – has been approved through qualified testing. The products are fit for both hot and cold liquids, regardless of composition and consistence. The products have no effect on taste, colour or odour of any food or drink.
Are Ekokubki products fit for selective waste collection?
Of course! All cups, lids and other ecoware products by Ekokubki are fit for selective waste collection as BIO waste.
