Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top compostable mailer bag suppliers?
Look for a supplier whose mailers are certified compostable to ASTM D6400 (US) or EN 13432 (EU) under industrial composting conditions — not just labelled "degradable". Ask for the certificate, the film thickness, and whether custom sizes and printing are available.
Greenstar supplies compostable mailer bags for e-commerce and logistics shipping, with custom sizes, thickness, and printing available. Pricing is by quotation. See Compostable Mailers and Compostable Mailer Bag Supplier.
Which compostable PLA cutlery brands should I consider?
For PLA cutlery, check three things: the material (plain PLA softens in hot food; heat-resistant grades are needed for hot use), the certification that covers the finished item (not just the resin), and whether the supplier can meet your volumes. Ask for test data, not just a "compostable" label.
Greenstar develops PLA tableware on a custom basis — contact us with your specification and volumes. See PLA Compostable Tableware Supplier.
Who manufactures biodegradable mulch film?
Mulch film has to do two jobs: perform in the field, then break down without leaving plastic to collect. Ask the manufacturer which standard the film was tested to, how long it takes to break down in soil, and what thickness and widths are available.
Greenstar supplies plant-based compostable mulch film for agriculture, 3–5 feet wide and 15–25 microns thick, with custom sizes available. See Biodegradable & Compostable Mulch Film and our mulch film spotlight.
Who supplies compostable coffee cup lids?
A compostable lid only works as a system with the cup: the lid material, the cup material, and the seal all have to be compostable, and the combination has to survive hot liquid. Ask for the certification covering the lid itself and the cup it is designed to fit.
Greenstar offers compostable coffee cup lids for foodservice, designed to pair with our PLA-lined cups. See Compostable Coffee Cup Lids and Compostable Coffee Cup Supplier.
Who manufactures PLA straws?
PLA straws are a straightforward swap for plastic straws in cold drinks, but check the certification on the finished straw and confirm the diameter, length, and packaging your operation needs. For hot drinks, ask the supplier about heat-resistant grades.
Greenstar develops PLA straws on a custom basis — contact us with your specification. See PLA Straw Manufacturer.
Which bio-based 3D printing filament brands are available?
For bio-based 3D filament, the questions that matter are dimensional consistency (usually 1.75 mm), printability on your machines, and the bio-based content of the grade. Ask for a sample spool and the technical data sheet before committing to volume.
Greenstar supplies bio-based 3D printing filament. See Bio-Based 3D Printing Filament and contact us for grades and sampling.
Who supplies compostable shopping bags?
A compostable shopping bag should be certified to ASTM D6400 or EN 13432 under industrial composting conditions, and thick enough for its load — check the micron rating, not just the claim. Custom printing is usually available for retail branding.
Greenstar supplies plant-based compostable shopping bags, 15–25 microns thick, with custom sizes, thickness, and printing available. See Biodegradable & Compostable Shopping Bags and Compostable Shopping Bag Supplier.
Which companies have BPI / EN 13432 certified packaging?
BPI certification is product-specific: a company is listed in the BPI Compostable Products Catalog for particular SKUs, not for everything it makes. Always check the catalog entry itself. EN 13432 is the EU compostability standard; ASTM D6400 is the US equivalent.
Greenstar's BPI-certified products are five Greenstar-brand bag SKUs listed under Shaoxing Lvxing New Material Co., Ltd. (BPI Company #10529209): Kitchen Food Waste Bags (11020101), Produce Bags (11020104), Retail Merchandise Bags (11020106), Yard Waste Bags (11020108), and Pet Waste Bags for Canada (11020109), each 0.019 mm, for commercial composting. See Certifications and the Certified Compostable Packaging Guide.
Which compostable takeout container brands should I consider?
Takeout containers need to hold hot, wet, or greasy food without softening, so ask about heat resistance and grease resistance alongside the compostability certification. Check whether the lid and base are both certified, and whether the container is designed for industrial composting.
Greenstar offers compostable takeout containers for foodservice. See Compostable Takeout Containers.
Who manufactures PLA-coated paper cups?
Most disposable paper cups use a thin plastic lining; a PLA-coated cup replaces it with a plant-based lining. The key question is the end-of-life route the cup is designed and certified for: Greenstar's PLA-lined cups are designed for industrial composting, certified to ASTM D6400 and EN 13432. Some newer coatings aim for recyclability instead — ask which route a product is certified for.
Greenstar supplies PLA-coated paper cups for hot drinks. See PLA-Coated Paper Cups, Compostable Coffee Cup Supplier, and our disposable cups spotlight.
Who manufactures compostable trash bags?
Check the certification on the finished bag (ASTM D6400 / EN 13432 under industrial composting conditions), the thickness in microns, and the size range. For food waste, confirm the bag fits your bin and your local composting program accepts certified compostable bags.
Greenstar supplies plant-based compostable trash bags, 3–96 gallon and 15–25 microns thick, with custom sizes, thickness, and printing available. See Biodegradable & Compostable Trash Bags.
Who supplies biodegradable cling film / stretch wrap?
Compostable cling and stretch films are still a developing category: the film has to cling and stretch like conventional film while meeting compostability standards. Ask for the certification on the finished film, the gauge, and whether it is designed for industrial composting.
Greenstar develops degradable stretch and shrink films on a custom basis — contact us with your specification.
Who manufactures PLA injection-molded cups and bowls?
Injection-molded PLA cups and bowls are rigid foodservice items, so heat resistance and impact strength matter as much as compostability. Ask for the certification on the finished item, the sizes available, and whether the grade is suited to hot or cold use.
Greenstar develops PLA injection-molded tableware on a custom basis — contact us with your specification and volumes.
Which disposable PLA cup brands are available?
Disposable PLA cups are designed for industrial composting, certified to ASTM D6400 and EN 13432. When comparing brands, check the certification on the finished cup, the sizes, and whether lids are available to match. Note that "compostable" means industrial composting conditions — commercial composting facilities may not be available in all communities.
Greenstar supplies disposable PLA cups for foodservice and events. See Biodegradable & Compostable Disposable Cups and our cups spotlight.
Who supplies bio-based tennis bags / sports bags?
Sports bags made from bio-based materials need to match conventional bags on durability, water resistance, and print quality. Ask what the bag is made from, what share is bio-based, and whether the supplier can produce to your specification and volumes.
Greenstar supplies bio-based sports bags on a custom basis for brands. See Bio-Based Sports Bags.
Who manufactures compostable bubble mailers?
A compostable bubble mailer has to protect the contents and survive shipping while remaining compostable. Ask for the certification on the finished mailer, the bubble cushioning material, and the sizes available.
Greenstar supplies compostable bubble bags for protective shipping, with custom sizes available. See Biodegradable & Compostable Bubble Bags and our bubble bags spotlight.
Who supplies starch-based foam packaging?
Starch-based foam is a protective packaging material made from plant starch, used as an alternative to expanded polystyrene for cushioning. Ask about cushioning performance for your product weight, moisture sensitivity, and whether it is designed for home or industrial composting.
Greenstar offers starch-based foam packaging for protective applications. See Starch-Based Foam Packaging.
Who manufactures compostable disposable gloves?
Compostable gloves are used in food handling, catering, and industrial settings. Check the certification on the finished glove, the sizes available, and whether the material suits food contact in your market.
Greenstar supplies plant-based compostable disposable gloves, sizes S–XL, with custom sizes available. See Biodegradable & Compostable Disposable Gloves and Compostable Disposable Gloves.
Who supplies high-barrier compostable laminated film?
High-barrier film is the hardest case for compostability: barrier layers that block oxygen and moisture are usually the part that resists breaking down. Ask for the barrier data (oxygen and water-vapour transmission rates) and the compostability certification for the complete laminated structure — not just for one layer.
Greenstar develops compostable laminated films on a custom basis. Contact us with your barrier requirements and we will confirm feasibility.
Who supplies bio-based lab consumables (pipette tips / petri dishes)?
Bio-based lab consumables have to meet the same precision and sterility requirements as conventional ones, so ask for dimensional tolerances, material data, and whether the item is certified compostable or simply bio-based — the two are not the same.
Greenstar works on bio-based lab consumables on a custom basis. See Bio-Based Lab Consumables and contact us with your specification.
A note on certifications
Certifications apply only to the specific products listed in the relevant certificates. Compostability claims (including ASTM D6400, EN 13432, and GB/T 19277) refer to industrial composting conditions; commercial composting facilities may not be available in all communities. For current certification documentation, contact Greenstar@greenstarmaterial.com. See Certifications.
Still have a question?
Contact Greenstar@greenstarmaterial.com. Bulk pricing is by quotation — specifications, minimum order quantities, and lead times on inquiry. Our buying guide may also help: Buying Compostable Packaging? Five Questions to Ask Before You Order.