plastics in compost – Crazy About Compost

Compost Contaminants

I just finished filling in the beds with 15 month finished compost, and the contamination wasn't as bad as I thought. Besides the produce labels and the blue strand of plastic from my old tarp, I think the rest of it was all swept up when collecting leaves off the street. I use my finished compost for horticultural purposes, and I double-screen the stuff I use for my cilantro and basil. Plastics are everywhere... it would be crazy to think I could remove 100% of it from my compost, but I'm definitely satisfied with what I have. Composting is always worth it :)

Plastics In My Finished Compost

I definitely learned my lesson about composting single use paper products...there's plastic in them! Ice cream cartons, single use paper cups, and leftovers from compostable bags... great! What can be learned from this? Why was I so naive and optimistic? While I do believe the certified compostable bags do break down over time given the right conditions, I'm not going to wait around any longer. I'm glad it showed signs of degrading, but this task is for the big windrow compost facilities...the problem is they don't want it either! Plastics break down into smaller pieces- pieces so small we can't see them. How can we keep this crap out of our precious soil? It's time to identify your sources one at a time and think of ways to eliminate them. …

Plastics In Compost: Where Is It Coming From?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAsi3JcRzNU Plastic in compost has gotten so overbearing to the point that it seems inevitable. However, there are tricks to minimizing the invasion. We need to be more alert as to what paper products we may add to our compost piles. Plastic liners are now often hidden in many single use paper products, such as ice cream cartons, coffee cups and take-out food containers. Sustainability is all about choice. Make the choice to reduce your single-use consumption, one item at a time. Composting is an activity where you are in control- you make the recipe, you reap the benefits. Choose wisely and your soil will prosper!