World Centric Knives, Made from TPLA, 6.7' Knife, Take Out Cutlery (Pack of 1000)

What am I reviewing?I am reviewing World Centric’s bulk pack – (1,000) pieces of Cutlery [6.7” Knives] – Made from TPLA.What is TPLA Cutlery?Here, this cutlery – knives – is made from Talc-injected Polylactic Acid.What’s the talc part of these knives?(30%) of these knives are from talc. The talc part is a mineral, belonging to the silicate family.What is the Polylactic Acid [PLA] part of these knives?The Polylactic Acid part of these knives is a [biodegradable] polymer derived from renewable resources like cornstarch, sugarcane, or other plant-based materials, which are eco-friendly, often found in food packaging, containers, and utensils, such as this cutlery. Here, the knives are (70%) non-GMO [not genetically modified] corn.What is the biggest environmental benefit of these knives?They are biodegradable/compostable, unlike petroleum based plastic knives; in the right environment, these TPLA knives should turn into compost in weeks to months after disposal, rather than simply accumulating in landfills and such.How did these arrive?Within warehouse type packaging, which in this case was a corrugated cardboard package that had some important information on it, such as the brand, contents, what the knives are made from, and various certifications, it’s good to read what’s on the package, as it gave me some piece of mind.Size of package?The size of the package the knives were within measured about 12” x 7” x 7½”.Weight of the package?Over (12) pounds, it’s “heavy” for such small packaging.Initial impression?The knives are serrated – offering very good cutting action – they are stiff, not flimsy, are not easily breakable, and of average size, at about (6.7”); disposable knives typically measure (5”) to (8”), so, these are of average size, rather than small or oversized. I think these to be very competitive in their class. However, the knives are “not” individually packaged, rather, (50) in a tape sealed cellophane package, which is a tad on the flimsy side. [For hygienic reasons, I would have preferred individually wrapped but understand the logistics and likely cost associated for such.]Ambidextrous use?Yes, I found left or right-handed use was perfect.Material?(70%) Non-GMO corn and (30%) talc.Size?Each knife is (6.7”) in size, with the handle being about (4”) and the serrated cutting edge being about (2.7”) in length, the knives are about (2)mm) thick.Country of origin?Made in China.WeightCollectively, the (1,000) knives weigh in at about (5,360) grams, which is just over (11¾), pounds; each (50) pack is about (268) grams, which is about (9½) ounces, and each knife is just over (5) grams, which is just under (¼) of an ounce each.Visually appealing?Yes, these are attractive and have a bit of flair, not boring.Do these add to the table?Yes.Are these stain resistant?Yes.Are these truly disposable?Yes, although these could be handwashed in my opinion and could last several servings or more, but due to their nature are disposable.Are these rustic?No.Are these eco-friendly?Yes.Do these slide around the table?They sure do, nothing helps hold them in place, other than a grippy placemat.Can I use these indoors and outdoors?Yes, absolutely.Do these have an odor?No.Do they affect the taste of the food?No.Do the placemats reflect they are compostable?Yes, the word “compostable” is printed on each side of the handle.TÜV SÜD America certification?I see “no” TÜV SÜD certification mark.What is TÜV SÜD America?It’s a trusted partner that tests products aimed at the US market to deliver safe and reliable products; it’s a symbol of product safety.RoHS certified?No.RoHS stands for?Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), which are European Union rules restricting the use of hazardous substances to protect the environment and public health.USDA Certified?Yes, these are a USDA [US Dept of Agriculture] certified biobased product – 96% - as noted on the side of the packaging.ASTM D-6400 compliant?Yes, these knives are.What is ASTM?ASTM International (previously known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) is a globally recognized organization that develops and publishes technical standards for a wide range of materials. The idea is to ensure the quality, safety, and performance of products and services, which gives me peace of mind these knives follow the requisite standards set by a globally recognized organization.What is ASTM D-6400?Although these knives are compliant, ASTM D-6400 itself is not a certification, however, it is a recognized standard that guides the compostable plastic certification process. Here, certification typically involves testing by a third-party organization to confirm that a product meets the criteria outlined in ASTM D-6400; after passing the tests, products can be labeled as compostable under ASTM D-6400. These knives had to the criteria to be certified as compostable in industrial composting facilities, the standard specification for solid material biodegradation (by composting) and is required for the labeling of plastics designed to be aerobically composted in municipal or industrial facilities. I do not question whether these complied with ASTM D6400 demands.BPI certified compostable?Yes, these knives are BPI certified compostable, as labeled on the package.What is BPI certified compostable?BPI Certified Compostable refers to a certification issued by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), a leading organization in the United States of America that certifies products as compostable according to specific standards, including ASTM D-6400 or EN 13432 (a European standard for composability). These knives are certified to break down into natural elements like carbon dioxide, water, and organic matter when processed in a commercial composting facility, without leaving harmful residues.Fit & Finish?Perfect, no defects in the bunch.Value?After review, I think these are competitively priced, however, compostable cutlery does carry a premium price over petroleum based plastic knives, but it’s an acceptable trade-off and may be required in communities.Any concerns?That these are made from “talc” is always a concern, but since these have the above certifications and are disposable, my concerns are greatly reduced. The reader can do their own research surrounding talc.Are these perfect?Hmm, in the totality, I really do not have significant criticisms, but I do wish they had their date of manufacture – there was a spot on the package for that information, but it was not noted, reason being, compostable products may have a shelf life, and they should be kept away from heat and sunlight, I also would have preferred individually wrapped, but they are capable of average size, are eco-friendly, sturdy, can cut meat to spread butter. I am good with giving these a weak five (5) stars.I hope my thoughts added a bit more information.

This box of 1000 disposal knives are a great option especially since I can use them in our countertop compostable machine. They are study enough to withstand cutting food but are light and feel comfortable in my hands.

I am always a little skeptical when it comes to compostable products and if the quality is there and if they really are compostable. These World Centric knives are both. They are not flimsy and of decent size (6.5"). The entire box was heavy - about 12 pounds - so there is weight to them. They are also compostable certified, which, when buying in bulk, is good to know.

This bulk set of disposable knives are pretty solid. They're packed in bundles which is great at keeping the box from being such a mess.They material feels very sturdy and stronger than a lot of cheap disposable knives I've used.The design on these look better than the cheap flimsy ones as well.The knife is comfortable to hold and I'm able to cut through soft foods without any issues. It also works well with spreading butter/mayo on my bread.I have no issues with these that are below my expectations of disposable knives.

Our world has way too much single-use disposable plastic in it, and I’m always encouraged to see alternatives. At first glance these World Centric Knives look like plastic cutlery with a kind of stylish handle. They have a sturdy, hard feel to them, and the serrations are quite good. I can even slice an overripe tomato with one. They hold up to hot foods well. I love that they are made from TPLA, a bio-based polymer made from plants (corn) and talc, and thus are compostable. I also like how the company gives 25% of their profits to worthy organizations around the planet. They come in a large pack or 1000 grouped in smaller sealed plastic pouches. Neat product and company.

At less than 5 cent each, this is a great value. These knives are sturdy, and they cut better than most flimsy disposable knives! I didn't even know they were made from plants and certified compostable when I ordered them, but I like it.

Decent for the environment, and NOT flimsy. These knives work and don't crack off, They look good and work even better.

Our church has been using the World Centric PLA forks, knives and spoons for several years. They are compostable but very sturdy. They hold up well to hot foods.