Biobu®, secrets of our material
Our material is a unique formula that has been trademarked BIOBU®. This trademark is our guarantee of safety and durability.
We're about transparency
Described as a biopolymer, our bamboo fiber is comprised of about half bamboo fiber, a highly renewable material, and half non-toxic food-grade A5 melamine binder, which helps to extend the life of the products (a sustainable practice!).
Our bamboo is responsibly-sourced and managed from its origin until production. It is 100% traceable, collected as sawdust waste from chopstick factories.
Our material is stable, unchanging, and poses absolutely no health risk with daily use and is suitable for hot and cold foods and liquids. There is no need for an external varnish, and the product maintains its appearance over time as it is the same material inside and out. Our products feature a premium matte finish. There is no varnish, coating nor paint on the surface of our products, so they’ll never fade, peel or leach harmful chemicals. All BIOBU products undergo regular and rigorous testing.
What is the difference between BIOBU® eco-composite & other bamboo fiber wares on the market?
In recent years, there has been a wave of bamboo fiber products that have flooded the market. The new players are both bamboo fiber brands or lifestyle brands that have jumped on the green trend by adding a bamboo fiber range to their offer. Like all consumer goods, there is both superior and inferior quality available to consumers.
Many of these brands are not informed, nor specialised in what constitutes a safe bamboo composite and some suppliers are either inexperienced in manufacturing bamboo fibreware or they cut costs/increase productivity by shortening the crucial thermopress process which forms and stabilizes the composite.
It is imperative to reiterate that bamboo fiber is a safe alternative to traditional plastics, fragile and disposable dishware, and home accessories.
UNICA TERRA is proud to report flawless safety results in all areas. We manufacture our custom-designed products with an exclusive partner. Our factory is not only BSCI-compliant in social responsibility, but we work together with our factory, never cutting corners, to manufacture the safest and most premium bamboo fiber goods on the market.
All UNICA TERRA products comply with all food safety standards around the world (FDA, LFGB & REACH) and are free of BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury.
Let's talk about Biodegradability
According to the FTC Green Guidelines, the only thing that can be considered biodegradable is a material that disintegrates fully in nature by way of bacteria or other natural organisms within one year - like a banana peel.
Therefore, no our products aren't considered 100% biodegradable, but the portion of bamboo will biodegrade in 2-3 years. The remainder will decompose at a slower rate. If the product can't be repurposed (as a small pencil or plant pot for instance) you should crush it up and put it in the regular trash where it will start the decomposition process.
However, we think it's important to look at the product's complete lifecycle - what occurs before, during, and after production. Our products are made with about 50% raw bamboo waste that we collect from local chopstick factories - a green, responsibly sourced waste product.
Bamboo is a highly renewable natural resource that doesn't require any fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides to thrive. Also, the techniques used for manufacturing our product consume little water and energy. Our products are made by thermopression (or heat); our machines are operated manually, then each product hand polished and packed.
Finally, the A5 food-safe binding resin makes our products durable, reusable, and dishwasher safe; they are a real alternative to traditional plastic and single-use products.
Advantages of BIOBU® eco-composite
More ecological and eco-responsible as it is made from a rapidly renewable natural resource.
.png){kind=icon}
Light and transportable like plastic and less fragile than glass or ceramics.
Reusable unlike disposable tableware.
As durable, but visually more attractive than plastic.
Easy daily maintenance and dishwasher safe unlike wood or other natural materials.
Respectful of health safety standards (colors mixed in the mass) unlike products coated with varnish.
Join our newsletter
By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy and Cookies Policy.