Are Disposable Wooden Cutlery Compostable?
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- Dalian Greenwood
- Issue Time
- May 23,2025
Summary
Dalian Greenwood discusses with you whether wooden tableware can be composted.
Are Disposable Wooden Cutlery Compostable?
With the advancement of the global plastic ban, "compostable" has become the core selling point of disposable tableware. However, the market is full of "pseudo-environmentally friendly" products - some businesses claim to be compostable, but in fact require specific conditions to degrade, and even contain plastic coatings.
As a company that has been deeply involved in the field of environmentally friendly tableware for more than 20 years, Dalian Greenwood deeply analyzes the truth about the composting of disposable wooden tableware based on scientific data and authoritative certification.
Definition and standards of compostable
What is truly "compostable"?
Compostable means that under specific time, temperature and microbial conditions, the material can be completely decomposed into carbon dioxide, water and organic matter without any toxic substances remaining. Its core standards include:
Degradation cycle: industrial composting ≤180 days, home composting ≤365 days.
Ecological safety: decomposition products are harmless to plant growth, and the heavy metal content meets the limit requirements.
Dalian Greenwood discusses with you whether wooden tableware can be composted
International mainstream certification standards
| Certification | Applicable areas | Core requirements | |
| EN 13432 | EU | Industrial composting degradation rate ≥ 90% (180 days), fragments ≤ 2mm | |
| ASTM D6400 | USA | Industrial composting degradation rate ≥ 90% (180 days), ecotoxicity test meets the standard | |
| AS 4736 | Australia | Biodegradation rate ≥ 90% (12 weeks), heavy metal content ≤ limit value | |
Compostable Practice of Dalian Greenwood Wooden Tableware
1. Raw material selection: ensure compostability from the source
100% natural birch: no chemical coating, no plastic additives, fiber structure is naturally easy to decompose.
FSC certification guarantee: wood comes from sustainably managed forests, ensuring that it does not contain any pesticides or soil pollution residues.
2. Production process: zero pollution, full cycle control
High temperature steam sterilization: replace chemical preservatives to avoid toxic substances entering the composting chain.
Food grade beeswax coating (optional): only natural beeswax is used to prevent moisture, and organic matter is produced after degradation, which does not affect the quality of composting.
3. Common misunderstandings and truths
Myth 1: "Degradable" equals "compostable"
Truth:
Degradable (Degradable): It only means that the material will break into pieces and may have residual microplastics.
Compostable (Compostable): It needs to be completely converted into a substance that is beneficial to the soil and pass strict certification.
Myth 2: All wooden tableware can be composted at home
Truth:
Dalian Greenwood environmentally friendly disposable cutlery supports industrial composting (requires professional facilities, temperature 50-60℃).
Home composting needs to be extended to 10-12 months and needs to be turned regularly to maintain humidity (it is recommended to chop and mix with kitchen waste).
Myth 3: Wooden tableware and PLA tableware have the same compostability
Comparative analysis:
| Indicators | Dalian Greenwood wooden cutlery | PLA cutlery | |
| Degradation conditions | Industrial composting or natural degradation | Strictly rely on industria composting (needs to be above 60°C) | |
| Degradation products | Water + CO₂ + organic matter | Lactic acid (may acidify the soil) | |
| Microplastic risk | None | Some PLA mixed plastics have residues | |
How to properly dispose of discarded wooden disposable cutlery?
Industrial composting (recommended method)
Steps:
1. Contact local industrial composting facilities
2. Remove food residues from the surface of tableware (avoid grease that affects composting efficiency).
3. Transport with other organic waste (e.g. fruit peels, vegetable leaves).
Industrial composting
• Conditions and efficiency: Industrial composting facilities can provide high temperature, high humidity and good ventilation conditions, usually maintained at around 58°C. Such conditions make microorganisms active and can quickly decompose disposable wooden tableware and convert it into compost within weeks to months.
• Advantages: High efficiency, can quickly process large amounts of tableware, produce high-quality compost, and can be used to improve agricultural and horticultural soil.
• Applicability: Very suitable for Dalian Greenwood's disposable wooden tableware, especially for the catering industry and large event venues in large cities.
Home composting (small tableware only)
Operation guide:
Break or chop the tableware into pieces ≤ 5 cm.
Mix with kitchen waste in a ratio of 1:3, and keep the humidity at 60%-70%.
Turn it over every 2 weeks, and you will get nutrient soil after 6-12 months.
• Conditions and efficiency: Home composting is usually carried out in the backyard, where environmental conditions are difficult to control, the temperature is generally around 28°C, and the humidity and oxygen supply are unstable, resulting in low microbial activity and slow decomposition. Disposable wooden tableware may take several months or even longer to completely decompose.
• Advantages: Low cost, simple operation, suitable for households to handle small amounts of organic waste and reduce garbage generation.
• Scope of application: Suitable for households using disposable wooden tableware. If the home composting space is small or poorly managed, the decomposition rate may be slower.
Abstract
Disposable wooden tableware can be composted, but industrial composting is efficient and fast, and is the first choice for handling large quantities of tableware; while home composting is suitable for small-scale processing.
Dalian Greenwood's disposable wooden tableware can decompose well in both composting environments due to its natural material. Users can choose the composting method according to their own situation.
Strictly prohibited treatment methods
❌ Landfill: Wood produces methane in an oxygen-deficient environment (the greenhouse effect is 25 times that of carbon dioxide).
❌ Incineration: Inadequate household incineration will release dioxins.
Customer Case: Successful Composting Practice Case
Case: EcoEvents (Berlin Green Event Company)
Demand: Provide truly compostable tableware for 500 environmental conferences.
Solution:
Use Dalian Greenwood biodegradable cutlery and cooperate with composting plants to deal with waste.
Generate a "Carbon Compensation Report" after the event for customer environmental protection publicity.
Results:
Reduce 12 tons of landfill in a year and win the German Green Event Gold Award.
Join the compostable revolution
1. Free samples: Apply for compostable wooden tableware to experience true environmental performance.
2. Customized service: Provide LOGO engraving and composting guide printing to help brand green marketing.
3. Technical Consulting: Designing closed-loop recycling solutions for key customers, including composting partnerships.
Choose Dalian Greenwood, Eco-friendly Tableware Solutions
Dalian Greenwood is China's leading eco-friendly tableware manufacturer with over 20 years of experience, serving customers in more than 50 countries, and an annual production capacity of more than 60 million pieces.
Our wooden tableware is made of 100% natural birch wood without any chemical coating or additives. These tableware retain the natural properties of wood during the production process, allowing them to biodegrade naturally. Under composting conditions, they can be decomposed into organic matter and return to nature.
Our products are ideal for restaurants, caterers, event planners and green brands.
We not only provide products, but also provide a full range of services to support your business - from custom design services, certification compliance to efficient shipping and reliable business support.
Are you ready to enhance your brand image with natural and high-quality tableware? Consult now and get a free sample.