Huhtamaki in Waterville to Make Compostable School Lunch Plates

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree and Kevin Concannon, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s undersecretary for food and nutrition services, toured the Waterville Huhtamaki factory today, Monday, Aug. 24. Huhtamaki has been awarded a contract to produce a new compostable line of plates. They will be for six of the country’s largest public school systems.

Pingree told the Bangor Daily News that, “This could be a big opportunity in the future.” The compostable plates are made from recycled paper. They are made from newsprint, that is blended into a liquid solution before being pressed and dried into plates.

According to the Huhtamaki website, Urban School Food Alliance Chairman Eric Goldstein, says “This news is a game changer. As leaders in school meals, we’re proud to create a product that students will not only find easy to use, but one that also protects the environment for many years to come.”

Huhtamaki is currently "the proud makers of Chinet®, America's No. 1 premium disposable tableware brand."

The Waterville facility employs about 550 people.