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Composting: what on earth is it?
Compost is simply a rich organic soil that is made when micro-organisms decompose yard and kitchen waste. It can make grass greener, tomatoes bigger, and bushes bushier. Compost can replace some fertilizer and reduce the amount of water a yard needs because it adds nutrients and increases the water-holding capacity of soil.
Anything that was a plant can be composted. All plant materials contain nitrogen and carbon. Materials high in nitrogen are called “greens,” e.g. grass clippings, manure, and kitchen scraps. Materials high in carbon are called “browns,” e.g. leaves, sawdust, and wood chips.
Why choose wood for composting?
60 Days
Compost stabilization
100%
Compostable material
60%
Less fertilizer needed
50% Less
Methane emissions
Why bioplastic costs more and fails anyway
Bioplastics demand specialized processing that only 5% of U.S. facilities can provide. They cost more to produce and still end up buried in landfills where they persist for decades.
- Local rules: Compost regulations vary wildly across states and municipalities nationwide.
- Facility acceptance: Most waste companies reject bioplastics even when labeled compostable.
Wood vs. Bioplastic
Wood is way more compostable then bioplastic and other materials like bamboo or plastic.
| Compostable Anywhere | Additive-free | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birchware | ✅ Composts anywhere | ✅ Only Birchwood | $$ |
| Bio-plastic | 🟠 In less than 5% of facilities | ❌ Derived from PLAs & Talc | $$$$ |
| Bamboo | 🟠 Not recommended for home composting | ❌ Binding resins & coating | $$$ |
| Plastic | ❌ Recyclable | ❌ No | $ |
Wood breaks down, everywhere
Birchware is made from sustainably harvested wood. It composts naturally in any facility, backyard, or landfill without the regulatory maze. No specialized processing required.
- Natural decomposition
- Works in all facilities
- No chemical additives
Our Certifications
USDA
Verifies that our products are made from renewable, plant-based materials rather than petroleum, significantly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and lowering our carbon footprint.
ISO9001
An internationally recognized standard for quality management, ensuring our manufacturing processes consistently deliver highly reliable, defect-free products to every customer.
BRC
A rigorous, globally recognized food safety certification guaranteeing that our tableware is manufactured, stored, and handled in a strictly monitored, hygienic environment.
CMA
Field-tested and officially approved by the Compost Manufacturing Alliance, guaranteeing our cutlery successfully and safely breaks down in real-world commercial composting facilities.
FSC
Guarantees our birchwood is responsibly sourced from sustainably managed forests that provide vital environmental, social, and economic benefits to local ecosystems and communities.
SMETA
A globally recognized ethical trade certification ensuring our supply chain strictly adheres to fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and high environmental standards.
Proud to be in the Surfrider Foundation Guide
Birchware is proud to be featured in the Surfrider Foundation's Ocean Friendly Foodware Guide 3.0. The Ocean Friendly Foodware Guide 3.0 is designed to equip restaurants and hotels with tools to avoid greenwashing and choose more sustainable products for their businesses. Learn more about becoming an Ocean Friendly Restaurant or Hotel