Compostable sleeve apparatus and method of manufacture

A method for manufacturing a compostable sleeve apparatus for insulating a beverage container, comprising:

• (a) washing and processing a raw biodegradable material;
• (b) soaking the raw biodegradable material for a first predetermined time to form a mixture;
• (c) adding soda ash to the mixture to adjust a pH value to a range of approximately 10.0 to 11.0;
• (d) boiling the mixture for a second predetermined time;
• (e) draining the mixture and rinsing the raw biodegradable material until a desired pH in the range of approximately 7.0 to 8.0 is achieved;
• (f) mashing the rinsed raw biodegradable material to form a pulp and blending the pulp with water to form a uniform pulp mixture;
• (g) submerging a mold element in the uniform pulp mixture and subsequently lifting the mold elements to deposit a layer of the uniform pulp mixture thereon;
• (h) removing from the mold element the layer of uniform pulp mixture;
• (i) applying a compressive force to the layer of uniform pulp mixture, thereby removing excess water and forming the layer of uniform pulp mixture into the compostable sleeve apparatus;
• (j) drying the compostable sleeve apparatus for a second predetermined time, thereby hardening the compostable sleeve apparatus;
• and
• (k) applying an adhesive to a first surface of the compostable sleeve apparatus and securing the first surface to a second surface of the compostable sleeve apparatus.