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Here are answers to questions you may have about Vegware's natural starch cutlery. If you are wondering about something which is not covered, please let us know and we will add it to the list.
What is PSM?
- Plastarch (PSM) is a thermoplastic resin made from natural starch. It is one of the few bioplastics which can withstand high heat.
Can I use Vegware cutlery for hot foods?
- Yes. Unlike some other starch cutlery on the market, our cutlery can withstand heat up to 105°C/220°F.
Will Vegware cutlery dissolve in drinks and wet foods such as soups?
- No. You can use Vegware cutlery like you would any other utensil. However, if you leave it soak in water overnight, the outside will become slightly 'tacky'.
How long can Vegware cutlery be kept prior to use?
- Vegware utensils come packed in (polyethylene) bags of 50 items, and there is no known limit to their shelf-life whilst in the original packaging. However, water will cause this starch product to break down (even without biodegradation occurring), which may have implications for utensils stored out of bags for long periods in a very moist environment.
Can I reuse Vegware cutlery?
- Yes. Please do - our utensils are marketed mainly as disposables, but there is no need to throw them away! Wash and dry them, then store in a dry environment.
What do you mean by 'durable', and how is it compatible with being biodegradable?
- Durable means that the cutlery will withstand the rigors of dining on foods which exert greater levels of force, such as hard ice cream, stabbing carrots onto a fork, etc. Durable has no relationship with biodegradable - they are completely independent characteristics. Wood is biodegradable, but people build homes which are 'durable', lasting hundreds of years. However, allow the wood to become moist and dry rot sets in, i.e. moisture, heat, and microorganisms, also known as biodegradation.
What standards does the cutlery comply to?
- The utensils are fully biodegradable and comply with the ISO 14855 standard, achieving 34.2% and 65.6% biodegradation after 45 and 93 days respectively. In addition, the PSM material is certified compostable under EN13432 in sheet form, and the cutlery is certified free from heavy metals and other toxins.
Why don't you sell wooden cutlery?
- Many of our customers come to us having used wooden cutlery....
Please see our end-of-life FAQ for the definitions of biodegradable and compostable and the standards mentioned above.