Compostable vs biodegradable
If you've heard about biodegradable and compostable plastic bags, you may be wondering how long they take to decompose. The process of composting requires a high temperature and oxygen in order to break down. These processes can take weeks or even months to complete.
Compostable materials can leave behind beneficial residual products. These can be humus, which is great for plant health, as well as metals and other materials. Some of the most common compostable materials include garden waste, paper, and eggshells.
Biodegradable plastics have the advantage of breaking down faster than regular plastic. Unlike standard plastics, which can take hundreds of years to completely break down, biodegradable plastics can breakdown within three to six months. But not all biodegradable materials are compostable. Those that aren't will often leave a toxic residue.
Whether or not biodegradable trash bags will decompose depends on the material, the environment, and the specific design of the bag. In general, however, a certified compostable trash bag will break down at a commercial composting facility, and should not be thrown in the garbage.
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Oxo-biodegradable vs compostable
Compostable plastic is a material that breaks down in a controlled environment, in the form of a nutrient-rich compost. The product can then be recycled or simply left in the soil. It does not leave any toxic chemicals behind.
Oxo-biodegradable plastics are made of petroleum-based raw materials. They contain a small amount of additives that accelerate their fragmentation. Unlike compostable plastics, however, oxos will never degrade entirely.
A new report released by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation calls for a ban on oxo-degradable plastics. Among those signing the report are Unilever, Pepco and the World Wildlife Fund.
Oxo-biodegradable bags are not as easy to recycle as the more commonly used compostable plastics. However, some companies make their products with an additive that speeds up the decomposition process.
Whether oxo-biodegradable bags will be harmful to the environment is a controversial issue. Oxos take two to five years to decompose, while compostable bags may break down in less than two months.
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Recoverable in a composting process
The right tools and techniques can make the process a success. In fact, if your building was a glass box and you were going to build it yourself, you might as well get started on the right foot. Of course, the EPA has a list of recommended methods of elimination for certain types of materials, but if you are in a pinch, you can do what you can and hope for the best. Having a solid waste management plan in place is essential. Using a composter to create the aforementioned material is just one step in the ensuing hierarchy. You could also use an impromptu composting system to compost some of the more perishable items in your kitchen, bathroom or office. Ultimately, the best way to go about implementing such a scheme is to do your research. With the proper equipment and know how in place, the process can yield a veritable goldmine of good quality compost material in no time at all.
Somerfield's alternative to the standard carrier bag
A UK supermarket has introduced a degradable alternative to the standard carrier bag. Somerfield's DW3(tm) bags are made of a polythene material that breaks down over time. The bags are strong enough to hold many products, but will break down within 18 months. This allows shoppers to reuse the biodegradable bags again.
The new carriers are expected to be available nationwide from February 2003. Customers can choose to reuse them like a conventional carrier bag, or place them in a commercial compost heap. They will then break down and leave behind minerals that are compatible with soil.
Scientists at the Open University are working to develop biodegradable materials. One solution is corn starch, a material extracted from corn and used in the production of plastics. However, the material must be broken down to a certain level before it can be considered biodegradable.
Co-op is the first supermarket to launch a biodegradable carrier bag in the UK. It is estimated that 20 billion plastic carrier bags are used annually in the UK.
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