a paper , or cardboard , or card stock material is made from an organic material , such as ground - up sunflower seeds using an organic binder , such as a glue , which may have the form of a polysaccharide e . g ., a long chain naturally occurring sugar . a water resistant , or water impermeable coating , such as a pla coating , is applied to one or both sides of the card stock to form a laminate . the card stock may be formed into a shape or structure , such as a carton , or bowl , or cup , either prior to or after coating . the card stock material or the primary layer , the binder , and the plastic coating are all based on materials that are typically considered to be waste by - products of agricultural or food services processing , and they are all materials that may tend to be suitable for composting or biodegradation .