FAQ
-
Rating: +0
How do I know your bags are really biodegradable?
All our bags are approved by US Standards (ASTM D 6400), and European Standards (EN 13432) for compostability. We are manufacturers\' reps of some of the largest biodegradable bag manufacturers in the US and Canada.
-
Rating: +0
What is the difference between degradable bags and biodegradable bags?
See our Learning Center for a report on this.
-
Rating: +0
Is there any plastic in your Friendly Bags?
No. All our bags are made of 100% natural material, and are all bio-based.
-
Rating: +0
How is it that the bags dissolve in landfills, in water, or even in a dolphin's stomach?
Our biodegradable bags are made of bio-materials and therefore are susceptible to natural decay, just like any corn cob, apple, or banana peel you would throw in the field, into the ocean, or by the stomach fluids of animals if ingested.
-
Rating: +0
How long does it take the bags to break down?
After being exposed to the elements, the breakdown begins after about six weeks, and depending on the thickness of the bag, will biodegrade after about 6-8 months, per the compostability standards ASTM D 6400 and EN 13432.
-
Rating: +0
Do you have any certifications for your bags?
Yes. All our bags are certified by ASTM D 6400 and/or EN 13432.
-
Rating: +0
Can you make the bags in any size?
Yes, we could make the bags in potentially any size, but sometimes bags that are too small are not viable economically to manufacture, as they run extremely high costs.
-
Rating: +0
Are your bags made in the USA?
Most of our bags are made in the US, Canada, and some in China, all depending on your specific needs. If you'd like us to evaluate your specification please contact us.
-
Rating: +0
Are there any waste of crops used to make the bags and/or waste of land space which could be used for trees, and the like?
No. The plants used for making bags is actually left over from crops, not especially grown for this purpose. The amount of bio-material extracted from one field is so minute that even if used for the making of biodegradable bags, would hardly impact the food industry.
-
Rating: +0
Is the manufacturing of the biodegradable bags harmful to the environment?
No. The manufacture of the resin is done via bacteria or bio-polymer extraction, which does not pollute the environment. Biodegradable bag factories have no emissions into the atmosphere and no chimneys. The bag machines are purely heaters which melt the bio-material at a very high temperature. The tube of the newly formed biodegradable plastic comes out the other end of the machine, which is then flattened and rolled onto large rolls. These rolls are then taken to the print shop, where they are printed and re-rolled, then to the cutting and sealing machine to cut and seal the finished bags. Once finished, they are packed, loaded into a container and sent by a truck to the port. Simply put: no chimneys, no pollution.
-
Rating: +0
Is there a minimum order of biodegradable bags?
If you're looking for stock bags, there would be no minimum per bag, but for custom bags the manufacturing is a process that wastes a lot of material, as the machines are calibrated and warmed up. This is the reason that when producing these bags we require a certain minimum in order to compensate for this loss. You can always contact us so we may evaluate your specific needs.
-
Rating: +0
Is the ink used for printing on the bags biodegradable as well?
Yes. All inks used for printing on the biodegradable bags are water-based, biodegradable and environmentally-safe.
-
Rating: +0
Do you use recycled plastic in the process of making the bags?
We don't use recycled plastic for the purpose of making our biodegradable bags since our biodegradable bags contain NO plastic. We do have a line of PCR (post-consumer-recycled) reusable plastic bags, which are NOT biodegradable but can be re-used.
-
Rating: +0
How will my customers know that the bags are biodegradable if they look and feel like plastic bags?
The bags don't feel exactly like plastic bags, but rather have a smoother, silky feeling to them. We make sure to print on the bags that they are biodegradable. Also, some customers place a sticker or a little sign stating that their bags are biodegradable. We can help you with that as well...
-
Rating: +0
How long will it take to get my order in?
Our stock product orders take between 3-5 days to arrive. Custom orders take between 2-3 weeks, and orders from overseas may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.
