Better Earth to Unveil Touch-Free Cutlery Solutions at National Restaurant Association Show

Better Earth, a leader in BPI-certified compostable foodservice packaging, will highlight its latest innovations in touch-free dispensing and compostable cutlery solutions at the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show. Attendees can visit Booth 3582 in the South Building to experience both the company’s Touch-Free Cutlery Dispenser platform and its expanding portfolio of high-performance compostable cutlery options.

Building on the success of its Arrow CPLA cutlery line, Better Earth is introducing a broader system designed to serve operators across multiple use cases, including bulk, wrapped, and dispenser-based formats. The company will feature two dispenser-compatible cutlery options at the show: its Pressed Bamboo Fiber cutlery and a new PHA-based cutlery solution, extending performance, material flexibility, and end-of-life alignment for operators navigating evolving regulations and sustainability goals.

Better Earth’s Touch-Free Cutlery Dispensers are designed for high-traffic foodservice environments, offering a hygienic, efficient alternative to traditional open-bin or lever-based systems. Each unit uses a gravity-fed, handle-first dispensing mechanism to reduce cross-contamination while ensuring that only the utensil being used is touched by the end customer.

The dispensers feature a modular, customizable design that allows operators to configure any combination of forks, knives, and spoons, while holding up to 300 utensils at a time to reduce labor and refill frequency. Pre-packaged refill sleeves enable quick, clean restocking, supporting both operational efficiency and improved hygiene standards.

Company expansion plans

“We’re continuing to expand beyond products into complete systems that solve real operational challenges,” said Better Earth CEO Joseph Bild. “Our dispenser platform, combined with new material innovations like PHA, gives operators a cleaner, more compliant, and more scalable way to serve compostable cutlery.”

The new PHA cutlery offering represents the next evolution of Better Earth’s compostable utensil portfolio and complements the Arrow CPLA line launched earlier this year. Together, these solutions provide foodservice operators with flexible options to meet performance expectations while aligning with compostability standards and regulatory requirements.

Target market applications

Designed for corporate cafeterias, quick service restaurants, stadiums, universities, and food halls, the Better Earth dispenser system supports waste reduction by encouraging responsible consumption while maintaining a premium guest experience.

Attendees at the National Restaurant Association Show are invited to visit Better Earth at Booth 3582, South Building, to see live demonstrations of the dispenser system and explore the full range of compostable packaging solutions.