nil boards are made in Germany using a bio-based material (Bio PBS) sourced mainly from plants, rather than traditional plastic boards which are made using fossil fuels. They perform just like normal plastic boards in everyday kitchen tasks, but have a far more sustainable end of life – breaking down naturally instead of leaving behind a legacy of microplastics.

Our boards are made from Bio-PBS combined with naturally occurring mineral fillers. Bio-PBS is created from plant starch harvested from food production by-products – meaning no extra land, water or crops are used. This waste material is normally burned, but nil upcycles it into a strong bioplastic similar to polypropylene (the most commonly used plastic in chopping boards).

Yes, nil boards behave just like traditional plastic boards in everyday kitchen conditions. They are stable, durable, and show less warping in the dishwasher compared to fossil fuel plastics. We tested our material directly against polypropylene boards to ensure comparable performance.

Dishwasher top shelf only, Hand washing recommended.  Dry thoroughly after washing, always place boards on stable surfaces, like other materials fades and staining will occur with use.  Serrated bread knives are not advised.  Replace boards when heavily scored.  Avoid contact with hot items.  UK - 1 year guarantee included

Yes, all chopping boards scratch with use. Our bio-based material is slightly softer than fossil fuel plastics, so we recommend avoiding serrated knives to minimise surface wear. Scratches are normal and do not affect performance.

nil boards do not create persistent microplastics. Any particles that come off during use will break down naturally into water, CO₂ and biomass. If accidentally ingested, they break down even faster due to the body’s temperature and natural microorganisms.

Science bit - In natural environment where micro-organisms are present

Colonization of the polymer by micro-organisms leads to secretion of extracellular microbial enzymes that cause depolymerization (Cleavage) of the polymer chain into low molecular weight components (Oligomers and monomers).  Microbial uptake and utilization of the low molecular compounds then occurs, whereby the polymer carbon is released as carbon dioxide (CO2) and part of it is incorporated into bio mass and water.

Feel free to check our facts, try web search  

"Does Bio PBS break down in natural conditions"  

"How long would it take for a Bio PBS chopping board of 550gm take to break down in soil"

Yes, dishwashers use heat, water and detergent so the material remains stable. nil boards are dishwasher safe up to 70°C.

nil boards have undergone extensive independent and in-house testing:

• Food contact safety: Certified to EU food contact regulations and the German LFGB standard.
• Dishwasher testing: Suitable for home use, safe up to 70°C, the standard pasteurisation temperature that kills 99.9% of kitchen bacteria.
• Knife resistance: (Shore D Hardness Scale)
• nil boards: 75
• Polypropylene boards: 80
• Wear testing: Independent laboratory testing using controlled knife pressure over 2,000 cutting cycles.
• User testing: 3 years of real world kitchen use to ensure durability and performance.

In industrial composting facility or natural conditions microorganisms consume the material, breaking it down into water, CO₂ and biomass. Nothing harmful, nothing persistent.

If incinerated, nil material releases fewer harmful chemicals than traditional plastics and results in lower net CO₂, because the plants used to make the bioplastic absorbed CO₂ during growth.

nil boards will break down even in landfill as long as microorganisms are present. The process is slower than in soil but far faster than traditional plastics, which can persist for 450+ years and leach chemicals into the environment.

Yes, all component parts are certified by TÜV Austria as soil biodegradable. The fully compounded material is TÜV Industrial Compostable. This means it will break down in natural environments, but not within the 2-year limit required for TÜV soil biodegradable certification due to its thickness and dishwasher-safe durability.

It depends on the environment. In hydrated soil and microorganism-rich conditions, nil boards break down in 3-10 years. They will always break down much faster than traditional plastics, without releasing any harmful chemicals.

We recycle nil boards within their own material stream and reuse what we can, taking responsibility for our materials. Contact us using the take-back scheme page and we’ll arrange collection and disposal. 

Our packaging is made from FSC-certified cardboard sourced from responsibly managed forests, using no plastics. 

We believe that treating our planet with more care also means taking better care of the people we work with. We’re currently developing a number of social initiatives to complement our environmental prerogatives – we’ll post future updates on our website and across our socials. In the meantime, we’re proud we produce our products in Germany and that everyone involved in making nil boards earns above the living wage.