Frequently Asked Questions
The Sustainable Agave Company core products are made in part from agave waste from the tequila or nectar industries. To improve structure and quality, we have formulated a bio-resin that incorporates agave fibers, meaning they are not 100% agave. Please note none of our products contain petroleum based polymers, and are capable of degrading in soil, fresh water, and ocean environments within 12-36 months.
Currently, our Clear Biodegradable Agave-Based Straws are BPI-certified. In an industrial compost facility, these straws will biodegrade within 90 days. Currently, we are seeking BPI certification for other products as well. It is our hope that by 2025, many of our other agave-based products, including our cutlery and cups, will also be BPI-certified.
Yes, our conventional agave-based cups can be disposed of in recycling bins when they are no longer needed. Ideally, these cups will be recycled in category number 7. Alternatively, you may also bring your agave-based cup to industrial compost facilities to be broken down and returned to the soil.
Agave bagasse, the agave waste product we use in the creation of our products, is sourced from Jalisco, Mexico, where tequila and agave nectar is manufactured. When tequila is being produced, only the heart of the plant is needed, and the waste is what we use and blend with other bio-ingredients in our resins to improve overall sturdiness for everything from cups to cutlery and straws.
Our cups are made using a thermoforming process, while the straws are made by extrusion.
This varies from product to product. In addition, the recommended temperature and maximum temperature resistance differ. That is because the recommended temperature considers individual safety to avoid injury and burns, while maximum temperature resistance is related to the overall integrity of the product and will always be higher. Below, you’ll find the maximum temperature resistance of each product:
- Biodegradable Agave Straws: 203°F
- Compostable BPI Agave Straws: 110°F
- Agave Cups: 131°F
- Agave Cutlery: 203°F
- Sugarcane products: 185°F
No, our straws do not contain gluten. Further, our straws are free of the other eight major food allergens declared by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) Act of 2004:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Crustacean shellfish
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Soybeans
Our straws are also compliant with the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act.