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Biodegradable Products Institute Awards First Compostable Logo for Cutlery

The Biodegradable Products Institute has granted its first Compostable Logo to NAT-UR, Inc. for compostable utensils.

The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) has granted its first Compostable Logo to NAT-UR, Inc. for compostable utensils. BPI's symbol demonstrates that the cutlery meets ASTM D6400 Specifications for Compostable Plastics.

The BPI symbol will be used on all NAT-UR's utensils made, including its forks, spoons, knives, and sporks of various sizes. These newest entries complement the company’s existing line of BPI-approved food service containers and compostable bags.

Steve Mojo, BPI executive director, anticipates the growing list of compostable products will lead to savings in the composting industry. He said, "We encourage composters, officials, and end users to look for products that meet the ASTM specifications and carry the BPI symbol in order to maximize the benefits and demonstrate their cost effectiveness."

The cutlery is made with the NAT-UR's proprietary resins, which incorporate NatureWorks PLA resin manufactured from corn grown in the United States. The new utensils were tested by a third party laboratory for its biobased content using radiocarbon dating. Test results confirmed that the products are biobased with content in excess of 95%, according to the company.

The Compostable Logo is a joint effort between the U.S. Composting Council and the BPI to identify plastic products which are designed to biodegrade satisfactorily in municipal and commercial composting systems, as do leaves, grass and food scraps. Before a manufacturer can receive the BPI symbol, it must provide data from an approved, independent laboratory that their products meet the specifications in ASTM D6400. This assures that the products will disintegrate and biodegrade quickly during composting and not leave behind any toxic residues or plastic fragments. Further, the data must be reviewed by knowledgeable third party scientists to assure conformance.

NAT-UR, Inc. is an active member of the Biobased Manufacturer Association.

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