Frequently asked questions

Most of our products are made from unbleached cardboard. To make them water resistant, they are lined with PLA vegetable plastic, a composite of vegetable origin. Our utensils and cup lids are also made of PLA.

PLA vegetable plastic is a fully biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, which uses renewable raw materials. The acronym PLA comes from the English word Polylactic Acid. The PLA used for Cambium products is made from corn starch.

Recyclable:
A product is qualified as recyclable when it can, at the end of its life, be reintroduced into the production cycle by taking the place, in part or in whole, of the new raw material needed to make a product.

Biodegradable:
The term biodegradable applies to a product capable of decomposing in a favorable environment under the action of microorganisms. A biodegradable product decomposes without harmful effects on the environment.

Compostable:
By default, what is compostable is also biodegradable. Where compostable products stand out is in their soil-fertilizing properties, once their decomposition is complete.

Products coated or composed of PLA vegetable plastics must be composted, they are not recyclable.
Our cardboard products such as our carrier bags and trays are fully recyclable if they have not been in contact with liquid or food.
Items contaminated with food sent for recycling, in addition to not being recycled, may corrupt the rest of the materials in the recycling bin. In such a case, they will end up together in a landfill.

Yes, the PLA vegetable plastic and unbleached cardboard we use carry the FSCC 22000 certification (food safety) as well as the OK Compost certification according to the Example Compostability standard (EN 13432).
FSCC 22000 certification
Example Compostability

Certification FSCC 22000
Example Compostability

Delivery boxes:
Although they are compostable once the tape is removed, it is best to recycle them.

Plastic packaging:
The plastic used to bag the products is not compostable, it is recyclable.

N.B .: As with any plastic bag or small recyclable particle, packaging must be combined in larger quantities in order to be detected by the equipment of sorting centers. The most popular method is the “bag-in-bag” method, which means combining all of your packaging in one bag and putting it in the recycling bin when it's full.

There are an endless number of types of bags and packaging on the market, but as a general rule, to find out if a packaging or plastic bag is recyclable, try to stretch it by pushing through it with your thumb. If plastic stretches easily, it means it is recyclable. Otherwise, it goes in the trash bin.

The duct tape is not compostable.
In the recovery process, the paper or cardboard materials are soaked in order to decant off intruding materials, such as adhesive tape. The paper pulp will be treated independently of the plastic or metallic materials and the recovery process will not be corrupted.

Absolutely. As with many high-volume production plants, the majority of the manufacturing of Cambium products is robotic, resulting in greatly reduced numbers of human workers. The few workers who work in the factories have access to working conditions and remuneration that comply with the standards in force in the country.

Ink is considered by industrial composting services to be a negligible component and does not reduce degradation efficiency in any way.

Municipal organic waste collection services as well as private companies are perfectly suited to the composting of PLA plant plastic.
When it comes to home-made or garden compost, PLA vegetable plastic takes much longer to decompose than leftover food substances. For this reason, it is not recommended to put plant-based PLA plastic in them, unless you are prepared to wait a few months for it to decompose.