Maya Ellison
Compostable plastic is designed to biodegrade into soil-conditioning material, also known as compost. However, compostable plastic is not the same as traditional plastic and therefore cannot be thrown in with your general recycling. Compostable plastic requires specific conditions to break down, such as high temperatures, time, humidity, and the presence of bacteria and fungi. These conditions can be met through industrial composting, which is the best way to dispose of compostable plastics. If industrial composting is not available in your area, the only other option is to throw compostable plastics in the trash.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | Compostable plastics are not intended for recycling and can contaminate and disrupt the recycling stream if intermixed with petroleum-based plastics that are non-compostable. |
| Compostability | Compostable plastics are designed to biodegrade into soil conditioning material, also known as compost. |
| Disposal | The best way to dispose of compostable plastics is to send them to an industrial or commercial composting facility where they’ll break down with the right mixture of heat, microbes, and time. If this type of composting facility isn’t available in your area, the only other option is to throw them in the trash. |
| Home Composting | Compostable plastics that are labelled as "home compostable" can be composted at home. |
| Labelling | Compostable plastics can be identified by the number 7 recycling symbol with "PLA" underneath. They may also have a certification label from the Biodegradable Products Institute. |
| Raw Materials | Compostable plastics are typically made from renewable raw materials such as corn starch or corn. |
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What You'll Learn
Compostable plastic is not designed for recycling
Compostable plastic is designed to break down into soil-conditioning material, also known as compost. It requires very specific composting conditions to break down, such as high temperatures and different breakdown conditions than those found in a typical homeowner's compost bin. This means that most backyard compost piles don't get hot enough to compost these plastics, and even some industrial or commercial compost facilities don't stay hot for long enough to fully degrade the plastic.
Compostable plastic should not be put in with your plastic recycling as it cannot be recycled in the same way. It is designed to break down in very specific composting conditions rather than be recycled. If compostable plastic ends up in a regular recycling bin, it can contaminate and disrupt the recycling stream if intermixed with petroleum-based plastics that are non-compostable. Therefore, it is important to check the packaging of compostable plastic items to see if they are designed for home or industrial composting.
If your community has a residential compost collection program, you can check with your local government or recycling company to find out if they accept compostable plastic. If not, you can contact your garbage/recycling company or local government to find out if there are any drop-off locations for compostable plastic items. If no such options exist in your area, the only other option is to throw compostable plastic items in the trash.
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Compostable plastic requires industrial composting facilities
Compostable plastic is designed to be sent to an industrial or commercial composting facility. These facilities have the right mixture of heat, pressure, microbes, and time to break down compostable plastics. They are also known as closed composting facilities.
Compostable plastic is not intended for recycling and can contaminate and disrupt the recycling stream if intermixed with petroleum-based plastics that are non-compostable. Therefore, it is important to check the label and only compost those plastics that are labelled as compostable. If a compostable plastic item is not labelled for home composting, it should be sent to an industrial composting facility.
However, not all recycling facilities have these industrial composting capabilities. Compostable plastics require higher temperatures and different breakdown conditions than those found in a typical homeowner's compost bin. Even some industrial compost facilities don't stay hot for long enough to fully degrade the plastic. Therefore, it is important to check with your local government or recycling company to find out if they accept compostable plastics.
If your community does not have a composting recycling program that accepts compostable plastic, contact your garbage/recycling company or local government to find out if there are any drop-off locations for your compostable plastic items.
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Biodegradable plastic will only degrade in specific conditions
Compostable plastics are designed to biodegrade into soil conditioning material, also known as compost. However, they require specific conditions to do so effectively. These conditions include higher temperatures, pressure, and nutrient concentration, as well as specific chemical ratios. Therefore, compostable plastics are best sent to industrial or commercial composting facilities, which provide the necessary conditions for their breakdown.
The specific conditions required for the degradation of biodegradable plastics vary. For instance, the temperature requirements for biodegradation differ across environments. In marine environments, the temperature rarely exceeds 20°C, which is insufficient for the depolymerization of plastics like PLA. On the other hand, landfills can reach temperatures of 80-100°C, which is high enough to degrade PLA, given that moisture is present.
The presence of specific microorganisms is another critical factor influencing the biodegradation process. Microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and some algae, possess the ability to adapt to and survive in harsh environments. They release enzymes that enable them to utilize persistent plastic pollution as their carbon source. However, it is important to note that not all compostable plastics are biodegradable, and they should not be thrown in with general recycling.
The ability of compostable plastics to be recycled also varies. Some forms of compostable plastics cannot be recycled with petroleum-based plastics due to chemical structure incompatibility. Therefore, it is essential to read the product's label to determine its recyclability and proper waste disposal method.
To ensure proper disposal, it is recommended to check with local government or recycling companies to find out if they accept compostable plastics through residential compost collection programs or if there are designated drop-off locations for such items.
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Compostable plastic is not the same as traditional plastic
Traditional plastics are derived from organic products such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. Most petroleum-based plastics are not readily biodegradable. They are not consumed by microorganisms and returned to compounds found in nature. Instead, they may last in the environment for tens to hundreds of years, depending on the type of plastic and its disposal environment.
Compostable plastics are typically made from renewable raw materials, such as corn starch, seaweed, sugar beets, or other plants. They can be engineered to be biodegradable or compostable. However, they are not designed to be recycled and can contaminate and disrupt the recycling stream if intermixed with petroleum-based plastics.
To determine how to dispose of compostable plastic, it is necessary to read the product's label regarding its compostability and recyclability. Compostable plastic must be recovered in either home or commercial compost, depending on what the specific item is designed for. Home compostable plastics can be placed on a compost heap at home, while industrial compostable plastics require higher temperatures and different breakdown conditions than those found in a typical homeowner's compost bin.
It is important to note that biodegradable and compostable plastic alone will not solve the plastic pollution crisis. They must be collected and paired with the right recovery systems to keep them out of nature.
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Compostable plastic can contaminate other plastics
Compostable plastic is not intended for recycling and can contaminate and disrupt the recycling stream if intermixed with petroleum-based plastics that are non-compostable. If compostable plastics are not managed properly once they become waste, they will likely not break down as intended, and have the same consequences as their non-biodegradable counterparts. This includes polluting the ecosystems and habitats that both nature and people depend on, contributing to the ballooning plastic pollution crisis.
Compostable plastics are designed to biodegrade into soil-conditioning material, also known as compost. They are not the same as traditional plastics and require very specific conditions to break down, including high heat for a sustained period of time, along with the right mixture of microbes. These conditions are typically only found in commercial or industrial composting facilities.
Because of this, compostable plastics should not be put in with your plastic recycling. They are designed to break down in these specific composting conditions rather than be recycled. If compostable plastics are mixed in with traditional plastics, they will contaminate the recycling stream and disrupt the process.
It is important to check the packaging of compostable plastics to see if they are labelled for home or industrial composting. If they are labelled for home composting, they can be put on your compost heap. If they are labelled for industrial composting, you should check with your local government or recycling company to see if they will accept compostable plastics under their program. If not, they will need to be thrown in the trash.
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Frequently asked questions
Compostable plastics are typically made from some type of renewable raw material. Corn starch is one of the most common materials, but there are many other options.
Compostable plastics are not intended for recycling and can contaminate and disrupt the recycling stream if intermixed with petroleum-based plastics that are non-compostable.
The best way to dispose of compostable plastics is to send them to an industrial or commercial composting facility where they’ll break down with the right mixture of heat, microbes, and time.
If this type of composting facility isn't available in your area, the only other option is to throw them in the trash.
Look for the certification label from the Biodegradable Products Institute. This organization certifies that products are able to be composted in commercially run composting facilities.
