Comments on Cameo's review of Biocompostables
Please educate yourself on "BIOCOMPOSTABLE"
I don't want to be a killjoy and I think one small step is better than nothing, But please know that Biocompostable is not Biodegradable. When you throw these products in the garbage they do not melt into the earth. They must be composted waste, or they last as long as plastic. The earth has to be moved and at the right temperature and create compost. I hope some day our waste management catches on and does such but until then.... use less of anything disposable! reuse your plastic bags, and don't be manipulated into purchasing more consumer waste. I hate to be devils advocate I really do... I am all about saving the earth, I just don't want people thinking we all get a get out of the landfill free card.
Cameo's keywords: biocompost truth tableware
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Nathan C. says:
You're absolutely correct about biocompostables. If these items are thrown away, they will NEVER biodegrade in a landfill. Today's landfill technology, i.e. dump and pile, is not ideal because it creates an anaerobic environment. For something to truly biodegrade there needs to be water, heat and numerous micro-organisms to help out. Landfills have none of this. There was a study done by William L. Rathje, Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona that found newspapers in a land fill several feet down from the 1970s that were still redable (and hence how he knew they were from the '70s). There is "new" landfill technology that involves injecting oxygen and water, but at the time it is simply too expensive and in the experimental stage. It's promising technology, but I don't expect to see it incorporated anytime soon.
Gabe M. says:
Agree,
What is the use of biocompostables if everyone throws them in the trash. You could argue that they are plant based and not petrol based. WorldCentric needs to include brochures with their products encouraging and demonstrating the benefits of composting, otherwise these are just another throw-away product.
Adam W. says:
Greg - it is not that things don't decompose in the landfill, it is that they decompose anaerobically. This in fact does release toxic gases into the atmosphere, while still not really helping the physical trash break down.