FAQ’s

Biodegradable FAQ’s

1. How will the government’s ban on styrofoam affect the availability of Sanicup?

The government’s ban on styrofoam as of 2020 is only applicable to imported styrofoam for use in the food service industry. The local styrofoam manufacturers, which includes Santainers Limited, have been required to make their products biodegradable.

2. What plastic raw material is used to manufacture Biodegradable Sanicup ‘styrofoam’?

The raw material is made by Styrochem Canada Limited. The grade is EVRgreen EPS #evT280czEX. Our Biodegradable Foam has been approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA), Health Canada and the European Union. See more at www.styrochem.com/products/evergreen-eps

3. What is the biodegradation test results?

Products made from EVRgreen EPS have been shown to degrade 92% over 4 years in biologically active landfills such as the Beetham Dump. The test used is the International ASTM D5511-11 test method astm.org/Standards/D5511.

The latest test results of Sanicup products dated 2nd February 2021 from Eden Research Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA www.edenresearchlab.com show degradation of 89.1% over a period of 790 days which supports the plastic resin manufacturer’s claim.

4. How does biodegradation work?

Natural microorganisms found in biologically active landfills, such as the Beetham Landfill in Trinidad, will degrade the polystyrene foam. This process of degradation is similar to that of other organic material such as food waste and paper.

5. What is left after biodegradation?

Sanicup biodegradable ‘styrofoam’ products are 90% air and 10% plastic so after they are discarded and enter the landfill they break down into a small percentage of top-soil like mass, methane and carbon dioxide which is typical of most degradable organic materials.

6. How can I identify the biodegradable Sanicup products?

The approved Sanicup products now have a sticker on the packaging that says ‘biodegradable’.

7. How will this switch to biodegradable affect the price of Sanicup?

Biodegradable Sanicup will still be the best low priced option for the food service industry when compared to the alternatives on the market which are significantly more expensive.