Chinet Brand Premium Disposable Tableware Teaches America to Compost

DeSoto, Kan. (February 2, 2009) – Chinet brand premium disposable tableware is not only made of 100 percent pre-consumer recycled content; both Chinet Casuals™ and Chinet Classic White™ lines are also biodegradable in home composting. By setting up a compost pile or bin at home, consumers can take positive steps in reducing their family’s carbon footprint through composting their used Chinet Casuals and Chinet Classic White plates, leftover foods and yard trimmings.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in one year, nearly 250 million tons of municipal solid waste was generated in the United States. Further, organic materials such as yard trimmings, food scraps and paper products are the largest component of our trash and make up more than two-thirds of the solid waste stream*.

“Composting is a simple solution to reducing the amount of waste your family puts into a landfill,” said Julie Stoetzer, Chinet Brand Marketing Manager. “The Chinet brand has a history of environmentally friendly practices and we encourage consumers to join us in protecting the planet now and for future generations.”

Simple Steps for Composting:
1. Select a convenient spot for composting. The spot should be semi-shaded and well drained. Don’t put your compost pile under acid producing trees like pines. If you do not have space for an outdoor compost pile, you can use a bin indoors. The bin can be purchased or made at home.
2. Combine organic wastes such as yard trimmings, food wastes and biodegradable Chinet plates into a pile. Add bulking agents such as wood chips to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials, allowing the finished material to fully stabilize and mature through a curing process.
3. A properly managed compost bin will not attract pests or rodents and will not smell badly.
4. Typical compost will turn into rich soil in two to five weeks. Use compost in home gardening or donate compost to city or public benefit projects.

Some examples of what can be composted include:
– Chinet Classic White and Chinet Casuals plates, bowls and platters
– Cardboard rolls
– Clean paper
– Fruits and vegetables
– Grass clippings and yard trimmings
– Coffee grounds and filters
– Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
– Eggshells
– Fireplace ashes
– Hair and fur
– Hay and straw
– Leaves
– Nut shells
– Sawdust
– Shredded newspaper
– Tea bags
– Wood chips

Items that should NOT be composted include:
– Coal or charcoal ash which may contain substances harmful to plants
– Dairy products such as butter, egg yolks and milk, which can create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
– Diseased or insect-ridden plants that can contaminate other vegetation
– Fats, grease, lard and oils which can create odor problems, much like dairy
– Meat or fish bones and scraps may contain parasites, bacteria and germs
– Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides may kill beneficial composting organisms

About the Chinet Brand
Made in America since the 1930s, Chinet disposable tableware has a long history of making strong plates and even stronger memories as friends and family gather. Chinet products give you the strength and style you depend on with the added piece of mind knowing you’re using environmentally friendly products. For more information about the Chinet family of products, visit www.mychinet.com.

About Huhtamaki
Established in 1920 as a specialty packaging organization, Huhtamaki provides many of the world’s most recognizable consumer goods packaging and foodservice containers, including the retail line of Chinet premium disposable tableware. For more information about Huhtamaki, visit www.us.huhtamaki.com.

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Editors Note: Photos to accompany story available by contacting jenna@snackbox.us.

Resources: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/organics/index.htm*
www.mychinet.com/environment/page/composting