What are our pouches made from?

What are they made of?

The principal raw material used for our pouches is cellulose, derived from wood pulp, sourced from responsibly-managed forests. Essentially a form of transparent paper. The wood pulp carries FSC™ (Forest Stewardship Council™) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) Chain of Custody certifications.

The main focus of the raw material certifications are biodiversity, minimal impact on ecosystems, reduction of chemical usage, responsible water usage, rights of workers and indigenous populations, and proper planning for native forestry and plantations. 

 Are they biodegradable or compostable?

Yes, both.

Biodegradation is one aspect of compostability. Biodegradable simply means that an item will break down over time as a result of natural processes, but does not account for time or manner of degradation. To be certified compostable, the product must break down into water, CO2, and biomass at a rate consistent with other biomaterials. Also, there must be no negative chemical effects on the final compost, which is ensured through eco-toxicity testing. In the UK and Europe this is tested to standard BS EN13432 for industrial settings.

What do I do with the pouch once I’ve finished with it?

Recycle the cardboard header in your card recycling.

Pu the pouch in your council compost collection, or your home compost if you have one.  Please don’t put it in your paper recycling.