bpi | Crazy About Compost

Getting Pickier with Plastics

[ reposted from tylertalkstrash.com ] After reading a fair bit of material regarding microplastics in compost, I've decided to become more strict on what I contribute to my compost piles. Up to this point, I've been experimenting with how much of an item will compost, even when I'm aware it contains some plastic. For example, I've added quite a few ice cream cartons, chinese food containers, paper cups, and fast food waste that I dumpstered from several establishments. The plan has been to pick out the plastic skeletons that remain when I screen my finished product...I've been doing that for a long time, with the most common example being the occasional produce sticker that I missed. What's the big deal anyway? I'm not going to use my compost to grow…

Just How Important Are Biodegradable Plastics?

It seems like over the last year or two, all the major companies have been jumping on board not only with a "green" product line, but with biodegradable plastics. I'd like to focus on the three major food service items that have been getting makeovers: cups, utensils and trash bags. To narrow it further, forget about items listed simply as "degradable"... what isn't? This is deceptive. "Biodegradable plastics" or "compostable plastics" that will completely compost in a commercial compost facility are what to look for. PLA (polylactic acid) is one of the most common corn based plastics used. Are they worth it? I'm not so sure. Assuming they're non-toxic and biodegrading as described, most people will not be able to compost these items in their backyard piles. This instantly reminds…