Comments on Jenn's review of Biocompostables
Providing Real Solutions to Disposables
Biocompostables is really doing their part -- they produce a variety of cups, containers and bags with Bagasse (sugar cane fiber, a waste byproduct from sugar mills), reed, potato starch and corn.
Most paper disposable products are made from virgin wood fiber, which depletes our natural forests and the eco-services that forests provide. In comparison, bagasse is a byproduct of sugar cane production, a readily renewable resource and widely grown all over the world.
I use their "bio bags" for cat waste on a daily basis -- and was really surprised at the wide range of products that they provide. The website is very educational - here's an overview of the difference between compostable and biodegradable products:
Compostable Plastic -- is "capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site as part of an available program, such that the plastic is not visually distinguishable and breaks down to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass, at a rate consistent with known compostable materials (e.g. cellulose). and leaves no toxic residue."
3 criteria must be met:
1. Biodegrade - break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass at the same rate as cellulose (paper).
2. Disintegrate - the material is indistinguishable in the compost, that it is not visible and needs to be screened out.
3. Eco-toxicity - the biodegradation does not produce any toxic material and the compost can support plant growth.
Biodegradable Plastic -- will degrade from the action of naturally occurring microorganism, such as bacteria, fungi etc. over a period of time. Note, that there is no requirement for leaving "no toxic residue", and as well as no requirement for the time it needs to take to biodegrade.
Remember - it doesn't matter what you use if you don't properly dispose of it.
Jenn's keywords: takeout containers, takeout boxes, cups, bags, compostable, biodegradable
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