What economic incentives, if any are there to participate in the program?
In many areas, composting offers a savings over normal garbage collection rates. Some programs, to encourage more recycling and landfill diversion, are subsidized through waived taxes and fees that are normally integral to garbage collection and processing costs. If your region has an organics diversion program in place, we encourage you to analyze the economic incentives in place to move toward composting your materials. In addition, the implementation of organics diversion programs provides great community goodwill and encourages customers to choose a business that offers better ecological options. Employees feel good about the programs, too, which boost corporate and organizational morale and leads to better productivity.
Why would Municipalities have an interest in promoting a partnership between Cedar Grove and the food service community?
Organics recycling (food and yard waste) through composting has become a national strategy that moves communities, states, cities and counties toward minimizing greenhouse gas emissions that create climate change. As the development of these programs grow, the pioneering efforts in commercial composting technology and testing compostables in a commercial composting plant allows cities to save time and money on the exploration and outreach that is necessary to minimize contamination in new programs.
How does Cedar Grove interact with food service operators across the market Cedar Grove serves?
Cedar Grove processes, collects, and educates food service operators on all aspects of initiating, developing and maintaining a successful food waste diversion program. Through online support, complimentary field education support, site assessments and economic analysis, containers and bags, and an easy to use packaging line, Cedar Grove covers all the bases any food service operator needs- making implementation of a program easy and cost-effective.
Where did the name Cedar Grove come from?
Cedar Grove’s first composting plant, which was established in 1989, is located in Maple Valley off of Cedar Grove Road.
Why is it not available in green?
Green is a color already used in so many categories named above that it does not provide the distinctive and universal marking needed to easily distinguish it from other earth-friendly products that are not Cedar Grove compostable. In addition, food service experience shows that the dark brown color contrasts nicely and attractively with food being served.
Can my leftovers in the containers also be put in the yard waste bin?
In areas where programs are available, yes. Check with your local hauler.
Why is it important for the products to be marked with Brown?
Brown easily distinguishes the material from other products that are manufactured to be “green” and thus are printed with that color (made from renewable resources, biodegradable but not necessarily Cedar Grove accepted for composting, made from recycled materials, etc.). In addition, residuals left from the composting process that might still remain but continue to break down in finished compost will not detract from the aesthetics of the high quality, dark, and brown Cedar Grove soil amendments.
What are bio-plastics?
Bio-plastics are plastics made from PLA (polyactide). PLA is made from corn which is a renewable and sustainable. They are also made from corn sources that do not take corn from the world’s food supply. . Corn plastic products look and feel just like regular plastics, but they are 100% biodegradable and compostable.
What is PLA?
PLA is short for Polyactide and is made from lactic acid. Lactic acid is made by the fermentation of dextrose. Dextrose is made from cornstarch.
If I throw Cedar Grove products in the trash, will it biodegrade in a landfill?
Organic material inside landfill cells will go through some degradation, yet it produces methane gas, which can be a significant greenhouse gas emission if not captured and reused. Cedar Grove products will react in the landfill like other organic waste and food. With very little air within the cell (landfills operate without air, or anaerobically), degradation will be minimal or will lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Why are there no lids for the Cedar Grove cups?
Lids are available from some manufacturers to fit the Cedar Grove cups. Unfortunately, present technology does not allow the product to be clearly marked brown to allow easy sorting into compost bins. In our product catalog, you can click on “more info” to see if lids are available to fit the specific product you are interested in.
Are recycled papers used in foodservice packaging?
Generally speaking, the FDA does not allow post-consumer recycled waste in foodservice packaging that has contact with food like plates and cups. Post consumer waste can be used in products that do not touch the food, like a product that has a PLA coating on it.
Can Cedar Grove print my logo on any of the products?
Yes- contact us for details on how you can add your logo to a product and still make it approved to be added to compost bins. Minimum quantities are needed and vary by product.
Can Cedar Grove products be placed in my home compost pile?
Our products are designed to compost in a commercial compost facility. Many of the products may compost in a home compost pile, but due to the variables in how the home compost pile is maintained and the significant variations in temperature, the desired results may be different than expected. In addition, many products impacted with food waste residuals (grease, meat, dairy, etc.) should NOT be placed in a home compost pile without first getting the advice of your local county health department authorities.
What is the heat tolerance of bio-plastics?
The heat tolerance varies because some additional additives (like wheat, tapioca and potato starch) may be used to allow higher temperatures. Generally speaking, PLA (clear bioplastic) has a heat tolerance of 110 degrees, but the cutlery can handle 140 degrees. As long as the cutlery is not immersed in hot food for prolonged periods of time. it can also effectively handle higher food temperatures. Some manufacturers add petroleum based plastic resin to raise the heat tolerance. However, these products are not approved by Cedar Grove as petroleum based plastics or additives will not compost.
Will this help me save money on my garbage bill?
Commercially it can. By reducing the volume of your waste going to a transfer station and then on to a landfill, it is possible to reduce the cost of your waste pickup and significantly minimize what has been historically categorized as garbage. In most cases, recycling this material offers a significant per container or per ton savings to your business. You are also helping the environment by diverting your waste stream from the landfill, which minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, while helping contribute material that is used to make earth-friendly products that can go back in your garden.
What waste bin do these containers go into?
If you are signed up for commercial collection service by Cedar Grove Organics or have curbside yard and food waste collection (please check with your garbage service), product can go into a specified compost bin, food waste bin or in a yard waste bin.