Sustainable agribusiness company Aloterra and food service ware provider World Centric have developed a new range of certified compostable food service ware.
Made from Miscanthus plant fibre, the new range can be used as an alternative to similar products made from foam and plastic, which create millions of tonnes of waste annually.
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World Centric founder and CEO Aseem Das said: "This new line of foodservice ware is being driven by a combination of consumers who want green packaging and growing bans on expanded polystyrene (or foam) packaging in major cities.
"There is clearly a shift in the quick service restaurant and food service industries. Consumers are seeking packaging that aligns with their concern for environmental sustainability and are making purchases accordingly. Providing the solution is rewarding because we believe that business has a responsibility to operate with concern for the environment."
The compostable foodservice ware products will entirely be manufactured and marketed in the US.
The companies will initially produce 55 million 9in plates and six sizes of clamshell food take-out containers, with plans to expand the production in 2016.
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By GlobalDataThe Miscanthus is a large, non-invasive perennial grass crop, which is grown on marginal, non-food producing farmland using significantly less water, chemicals and fertilizers than traditional crops.
Aloterra owner Scott Coye-Huhn said: "World Centric’s customers will know exactly where all of the product’s ingredients are sourced and that the sustainability claims are legitimate."
Since its incorporation in 2004, World Centric developed 200 food service and retail products across tableware, cutlery and food packaging.
All of World Centric’s products are certified compostable and will turn to soil in industrial composting facilities.
