What is a compostable bowl?

Many food containers end up in landfills or oceans, harming the planet. Compostable bowls are a greener choice—but what exactly are they? A compostable bowl is a food container made from plant-based or biodegradable materials¹ that can naturally break down in composting conditions, leaving no toxic residue.

They look and function like regular bowls but are better for the environment. Let’s see how they are made, used, and handled.

How are compostable bowls² made?

Not all eco-friendly containers are made the same way. Compostable bowls have a specific process to meet compost standards. Compostable bowls are made from renewable plant fibers, shaped in molds, then coated with biodegradable PLA or water-based barriers for strength and liquid resistance.

The process begins with raw materials like sugarcane bagasse³, bamboo fiber, or FSC-certified paperboard. The fiber is cleaned, pulped, and pressed into shape using heated molds. A thin barrier layer—often PLA—is applied to make the bowl leak-proof. Since these coatings are also plant-based, they break down in industrial compost⁴ systems. Final inspection ensures the products meet food safety and compostability standards like ASTM D6400⁵ or EN 13432.

Are compostable bowls² good for soup?

Soups can be tricky because they are hot and liquid, which can damage some eco packaging. So do compostable bowls² work? Yes, most compostable bowls² with PLA coating⁶ can hold hot soup for normal serving times without leaking or losing strength.

These bowls are designed to handle both hot and cold liquids. The plant-based coating⁷ forms a waterproof barrier that resists oil and heat for at least a few hours. However, extremely long storage or boiling liquid for extended periods can weaken the material. For takeaway soup, compostable bowls² are safe and effective. For commercial shelf storage, other materials may perform better.

Can compostable bowls² be recycled?

Many people confuse composting and recycling, but they are different waste processes. Compostable bowls are usually not recyclable in paper or plastic streams, because the PLA coating⁶ can contaminate those recycling systems.

Instead, compostable bowls² should go into industrial compost⁴ collections where available. If placed in regular recycling, they can lower the quality of recycled paper due to the mixed material. Some facilities may accept fiber-only bowls with no coating in paper recycling, but this is rare. Always check local waste guidelines for correct disposal.

Can you put compostable bowls² in the oven?

Compostable products are designed for food use, but not all can handle high cooking heat. Compostable bowls are generally not oven-safe, as high dry heat can damage their structure, warp the shape, or burn the coating.

The plant fibers and PLA coating⁶ are not meant to handle oven temperatures, which often exceed 200°C. At these ranges, the material can degrade or even catch fire. If reheating is needed, microwaving for short periods is usually safe if the product is labeled microwave-safe⁸. For baking or roasting, ceramic, glass, or metal should be used.

Conclusion Compostable bowls are eco-friendly containers made from plant fibers and biodegradable coatings, great for soups and daily use, but best kept away from ovens and standard recycling streams⁹.