FAQ

What are the raw materials of PAPLUS®?

The main raw materials are PLA (polylactic acid), whose main component is lactic acid obtained by fermenting starch from corn or sugarcane juice, and paper.
Heat-resistant products are made up of 93% natural components (86% PLA and 7% of clay minerals) with 7% of additives for material stabilization.
Note: The non-heat-resistant grade PAPLUS® resin used in multi-trays is made from more than 99% plant-derived components.

Is it biodegradable?

Most of the material biodegrade into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms.

However, the time and degree of decomposition varies greatly depending on the environment, so we cannot guarantee 100% decomposition.

Does it return to the soil?

Most of the material is decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms, but we cannot guarantee 100% decomposition. You can do a decomposition test in a place you can manage yourself, such as your garden, but please do not bury it anywhere else. This will be considered waste disposal.

Does it contain petroleum components?

The raw materials do not contain petroleum-derived plastics, but PAPLUS products contain a very small amounts of petroleum-derived additives to maintain their functionality as products.
The non-heat-resistant general grade contains about 0.4% additives, and the heat-resistant grade contains about 7%.
Please rest assured that we use additives that comply with the Food Sanitation Act as stipulated by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan.

Why do you use paper as a raw material?

Our company has been designing and producing paper recycling. We began developing PAPLUS® with the strong belief that using paper could be one way to solve the plastic problem.

In addition, the fact that using paper adds a unique look that is not found in ordinary plastic products was the deciding factor for branding it.

What kind of paper is used?

The paper we currently use is recycled from paper that was used in food processing and then discarded. It is a safe material that is managed hygienically during food processing and is not available on the market.

What are the brown grains and patterns on the surface?

The paper powder contained in the raw materials appears as brown grains due to the high temperature during molding. This creates a unique texture of natural materials like pottery and wood products.

What is the difference from other eco-friendly materials?

PAPLUS® is designed with the idea of ​​circulating as a material (circular design). Therefore, by eliminating obstacles to recycling (for example, making many colors) as much as possible, we can maintain a high level of quality of the collected and recycled products. The printed logo and the paint applied to the black series are peeled off at the time of collection and recycled in a state where impurities are removed.

In addition, we are attempting to share responsibility for our products with our customers by publishing the number of products produced, the number of products collected, and the number of products remanufactured by product and lot on the website.

Click here for the public page (traceability page)

Is it okay to put hot drinks in it?

Yes. It can withstand a heat of 120℃, so you can safely use it for hot drinks.

Note: The heat resistance of the multi-tray is 50℃

Does it retain heat?

It does not retain heat like stainless steel products with a double vacuum structure, but PAPLUS®, like general plastic products, has a lower thermal conductivity than metal, ceramic, and glass materials, and contains 30% paper by weight, so it has the characteristic of retaining the temperature of the drink inside.

Does it smell?

If you have a sensitive nose, you might notice a faint sweet smell. This smell comes from the starch in PLA (polylactic acid).

If you are concerned about the smell, dry it thoroughly once and it will go away.

Are there any handling precautions?

Please refrain from leaving drinks in it for long periods of time or leaving it on the sink.
The physical properties will not be significantly affected, but the surface will age.

When storing, avoid direct sunlight and keep in a dry place.

Are there any precautions when cleaning?

After use, wash immediately, wipe off any moisture with a dry cloth, and dry thoroughly. If you treat it in the same way as a wooden product, you can use it for a long time in a clean condition.

Also, use a neutral or weakly acidic detergent. Strongly alkaline or strongly acidic detergents may cause aging.
On the other hand, the physical properties will not be significantly affected even if you do not handle it as described above. We hope that the surface will age slightly over time and that this will be considered as part of the product's character.

Is it dishwasher safe?

You can use a dishwasher, but if possible, avoid detergents with high alkalinity.
On the other hand, using a dishwasher will help prevent aging compared to leaving it in the sink for a long time or leaving it wet after washing.

Is it microwavable?

We do not recommed using microwave ovens.
In our tests with drinks, the material did not soften or break, but it may become unexpectedly hot when heating oily foods.

Will it break if dropped?

When dropped under normal use, it will not shatter like glass products, but it may chip in parts. We hope you will use it with care.

Is it antibacterial?

It is generally recognized that the lactic acid in the raw material PLA (polylactic acid) has antibacterial properties.

Does the raw material contain BPA (bisphenol A)?

PAPLUS® raw materials do not contain any harmful chemicals such as BPA, BPS, lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and phthalates, which are considered to be harmful to the body.

Where should I send my unwanted products?

Please send them to our company Camino with prepaid shipping.

Please register using the "Recycling Application" form before shipping.

We will issue you a discount coupon equivalent to the shipping cost you send us, so you can use it to purchase a new PAPLUS® product.

Alternatively, you can first purchase a PAPLUS® product at the PAPLUS online shop, attach the return shipping slip included with the purchased product to the cardboard box we sent you, and return it. Shipping will be free for your purchase.

Are there any benefits to cooperating with recycling?

Shipping will be free regardless of the purchase amount, but it is assumed that you will purchase a new PAPLUS® product.

Can I check whether the product I sent has been recycled?

ur traceability page shows how many products with the same lot number have been recycled. The traceability page can be viewed from the card (traceability card) included with the product or the QR card printed on the sticker attached to the product, or by entering the lot number on the traceability page of the PAPLUS® official website.

Click here for the traceability page

How are the products remanufactured?

The collected tumblers are crushed into small pieces and put into a molding machine with unused PAPLUS® resin in its original state to be reborn as new PAPLUS® products.

From December 2024, food trays containing 20% ​​recycled materials will be released.

What should I do if I no longer need them and want to dispose of them?

Please dispose of them as regular garbage or burnable garbage.

(Please dispose of them according to the rules of each local government for sorting.)

If you want to disassemble them (return them to nature), please do so in your own garden or somewhere else where you are responsible. Please never bury them in any other place. This will be considered garbage dumping.

Please tell me the trick to removing the silicone packing of a plastic-free tumbler from the lid.

If you pinch the silicone packing with your fingertips, it will create slack in the pinched area, making it easier to remove. Please note that you may need to use a little force.

The lid of the plastic-free tumbler has become loose.

Please dry it thoroughly and try again since uumidity may be causing the problem. Also, if you use the silicone packing on the lid for a certain period of time, the silicone will become deformed and loose. Removing the silicone packing from the lid and shifting its position will improve the situation to some extent.
If the situation does not improve, please contact us.

What is the difference with PAPLUS®?

It is made of heat-resistant PLA (polylactic acid) without the paper　content which was characteristic to PAPLUS®. We increased the durability of the material while maintaining high environmental friendliness, so it can withstand heavy use such as commercial use.

What is the heat resistance temperature?

The heat resistance temperature is 140℃.

Can I use a microwave?

Yes, you can.

What kind of products are available?

We can provide all products with the same shape as PAPLUS®. We can also accommodate requests regarding colors.

Are PAPLUS＠Biz products recyclable?

Yes. It can be recycled just like PAPLUS®. It will be managed separately from PAPLUS® recycling, and closed recycling will be implemented for PAPLUS® Biz only.
*Currently available in Japan only.

Can we sell PAPLUS® products in our country?

Please contact us using the inquiry form below.

Can I order them as a corporate gift?

We can produce it with an original design and package.
A unique lot number will be issued, and it will become a special gift that will be collected and responsible for creating a new loop.

Can I put a logo on it?

It is optional, but it is possible.
Please let us know your preference, such as printing and laser processing.

Can you make an original product from the shape of the product?

It is possible to produce it from a mold.
However, since mold production is costly, please consider that you will need to produce at least several thousand units. For details, please contact us via the Contact page.

Can I purchase the resin?

Currently we are only able to sell PAPLUS＠ final products.

Can I provide or specify the paper to be used as a raw material?

We can undertake the development of your original raw material as well as final upcycled products, utilising your biomass-based waste such as paper, wood, coffee husks, and tea leaves. Please contact us to discuss the details.

We are thinking of developing a product utilising bioplastic. Can you help?

We can undertake the development of your bioplastic product. We can also help you develop your original raw material, utilising your biomass-based waste such as paper, wood, coffee husks, and tea leaves. Please contact us to discuss the details.