| BIODEGRADABILITY |
Naturally degraded (in soil) in less than 60 days after the products are disposed |
Generally biodegradable in 4-6 months |
Products made from plastics are non biodegradable |
Manufactured with wax laminates hence not biodegradable |
Biodegradable in 3-7 months
|
| COMPOSTABILITY |
Areca products will breakdown and act as fertilizer after disposal |
Bamboo is not compostable. Unless burnt, it ends in landfill. |
Products made from plastics are not compostable |
Mfd. with wax laminates hence not compostable. Products will add to the land fill |
Not Compostable |
| RAW MATERIAL SOURCE |
Renewable source. Products are made from fallen dry leaves which otherwise is wasted |
Products are made from Bamboo trees that are being cut for making plates |
Plastics are petroleum by products and cannot be considered as renewable |
Majority are made from recycled waste papers & chemically processed for achieving the quality |
Made from sugarcane waste using chemically pulped & bonding agents |
| THERMAL RESISTANCE |
Do not transfer heat & maintains shape. Can hold heat & cold liquids |
High possibility of product losing its shape & rigidity if in contact with hot liquid foods |
Can hold hot foods and liquids without any deformation |
Products will transfer heat. The laminates will help to hold liquids |
Transfers heat. Often the product deforms when served with hot liquids
|
| MICROWAVE / OVEN USAGE |
Can be used to microwave foods. Also safe for oven cooking to certain temp. |
Not microwave oven safe as the laminate could mix with the food items. |
Some are microwave safe. Mostly not suitable for oven cooking. |
Can be used for Microwave, but not for oven cooking |
Few can be used for microwave, but not oven safe. |
