Environmentally Conscious Materials

Made from the Planet, for the Planet

At Greenmark we believe in the power of composting. Made from sustainably sourced, all natural and compostable materials, our eco friendly packaging empowers businesses to swap out single use plastics for compostable that can be processed to create compost and fertilizer.

Compostable packaging represents an opportunity to fundamentally change the way waste is managed. Through source separation we’re able to provide a clean source of organic waste, diverting it from ending up in landfill and allowing the nutrients to be returned back to farmland and land rejuvenation projects.

Moving away from single use plastics creates a market for organic waste collection, bringing us closer to the main goal of creating a circular economy in which no organics are left to waste.

Home

Industrial

Home

Home composting, like the name suggests, can be right in your backyard! Common home composting methods include pile, tumbler, worm farms, and bokashi bins. For more information, click here to read more about each method and find one that’s right for you!

But please take note; just because they are home compostable doesn’t mean you can throw them into the environment! While they will degrade in time, the process will take considerably longer than properly composting the waste, and be an eye sore to boot!

Industrial

Industrial composting takes place in facilities that are set up to handle large amounts of organic waste.

Because of the sheer volume of material that pass through these sites, specific conditions such as moisture and temperature are carefully monitored and controlled during the composting process that allow PLA to break down effectively.

Sugarcane Bagasse / Pulp

A waste product, sugarcane bagasse is what’s left over after sugarcane stalks have been crushed to extract its juice for sugar manufacturing.

Before it’s properties as a malleable, durable, and breathable material were discovered, large amounts of bagasse were burned as a means of disposal, releasing thousands of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. Thankfully, these days we harness it’s amazing properties as a material to produce plates, bowls, trays and cups.

By choosing sugarcane bagasse, you’re choosing to go with a waste by-product that is always produced, instead of a material that is specifically farmed. Bagasse also requires less energy in the manufacturing process because it’s already pulped into a fibrous material. And because it’s naturally leak and oil proof, no PLA lining is needed, making it both home and industrial compost safe.

Areca Palm Leaves

Similar to sugarcane bagasse, areca palm leaves are a byproduct of farming. Planted throughout Asia, the areca palm shreds its large leaves every few weeks, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly resource.

Once upon a time these leaves were burned, but now we use them to create plates, bowls and trays. After collection and cleaning, they are heat pressed into their desired shape – and that’s it! No other processing is required! The end result is totally natural tableware, meaning that it’s also home and industrial compost safe.

Strong, semi-flexible (but not brittle) and water and heat resistant, our areca palm products can actually be used to bake (45 minutes at 350º) or even thrown in the microwave for up to two minutes!

To top it off, each leaf has its own natural grain, texture and colour, giving each product its own unique pattern and feel, making for a truly eye catching and beautiful tableware.

Bamboo / Pulp / Paper

Durable, bamboo is an extremely strong material. Depending on the bamboo product (for hygienic reasons), it can be reused multiple times before disposal.

It’s also one of the fastest growing grasses in the world, managing to grow 91 cm each day. This speedy regeneration makes it ‘super’ renewable and sustainable choice, requiring less land to produce high quantities. Also home and industrial compost safe, so you can return it back to the earth.

Harvested bamboo doesn’t require replanting either; instead it can regenerate from it’s cut stem, further reducing the amount of resources spent maintaining it!

Cardboard / Paper

People might think of wood products as being unsustainable or not eco-friendly – I mean, how can they be? These forks, spoons and knives used to be trees!

But the fact is that all our wood and paper products are sourced from forests that are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved. This means that all our suppliers meet the FSC’s rigorous best practice standards, ensuring forests are healthy, farmed sustainably, and bring positive change to local communities as well as providing jobs.

Tried and true, wood is a classic all rounder material that is strong, durable, oil and leak proof that also looks great. It has a timeless feel that pairs well with any type of cuisine, and can be used to make essentially anything to suit your food service needs.

PLA Biobased Plastics

Our bio based plastics are made from Ingeo PLA, produced from corn to ensure an annually renewable resource. PLA production also generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions when compared to conventional plastic production.

It’s important to note that PLA must be disposed of in organics bins, as they are not able to be mixed with traditional plastics in regular recycle. They are also only industrial compost safe, and won’t break down in your home compost bin.

But if you’re set on having clear cups for your business, PLA is your best bet!