What are they made from?

Our biodegradable jars are made of PLA plastic. PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a biodegradable and renewable thermoplastic polymer that is derived from natural, plant-based sources such as corn starch, sugarcane, and tapioca roots. The raw materials are first converted into lactic acid through a fermentation process, and then the lactic acid molecules are polymerized to form long chains of PLA. The resulting material has similar physical properties to traditional petroleum-based plastics, but with the added benefit of being biodegradable and compostable under certain conditions. PLA is often used as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics in various applications, including food packaging, disposable tableware, and 3D printing.

What do I do when I am done with them?

We recommend you rinse the jar out with water to remove any lingering or left behind plant matter. You should be able to do this with tap water. You will also want to remove and all personal information from the stickers and labels. Then you can just screw the lid back on and throw the jar away. Nature and the landfill will take care of the rest.

How long do they last?

They are shelf stable for the full duration of time allotted per state regulations. You should not see any degradation of the jar under normal storage situations.

How long do they take to decompose?

They take approximately 12 weeks to decompose in a landfill environment. They will break down under commercial composting conditions, but most likely will not degrade under most home composting conditions.