astm d6400 – Page 2 – Crazy About Compost

Nice Compostable Cup… How About the Top?

Behold the Ecotainer, the compostable cup. Behold the lid, which will never compost...ever. Maybe I'm just being a jerk, but this is what I'd call a mixed message. Maybe they just ran out of their normal wax paper lid that day and had to default to crappy plastic. Maybe the preferred non-plastic lid cost more. Maybe the paper cup cost more than they wanted it to...which leads me to my first point: I hope the cost of the cup didn't break the bank. There's plenty of paperboard cups on the market that don't say anything about being compostable, even though they are by default. It reminds me of how aerosol cans are labeled "No CFCs"...although they have been banned since 1978. Unnecessary labeling. While I realize that paper isn't devoid…

Quick Questions with Peninsula Compost’s Nelson Widell

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvcqbvBkyNQ Recently I sent a few questions over to Nelson Widell at Wilmington Organic Recycling Center. I've visited the facility a few times, and I had some questions about contamination and sorting, as well as bioplastics and pressure treated wood...so here we go: Tyler: How much compost is created each day? Nelson: We are producing about 200 tons per day of compost. Tyler: What would you say the average contamination rate is for your incoming loads? Nelson: Contamination is approximately 3% by weight. Tyler: What's your least favorite common contaminant you receive from incoming loads? (in compost receptacles available to patrons, I always see ketchup packs and plastic utensils) Nelson: The plastic circular label stickers put on bananas and tomatoes is the least favorite contaminant. Tyler: Describe the sorting system in…

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…