You pick up a package in the market. It reads, “Biodegradable”. You buy it, thinking you’re doing the best thing for the planet, but are you? The good news is that there are many eco-friendly alternatives to traditional disposable packaging, flatware, cups and cutlery.
The bad news is that the terminology is often confusing and the best disposal method is sometimes unclear. Here's a quick & simple guide to cracking the code:
Recyclable: What does it mean?
'Recyclable' products can be collected and reprocessed to produce new items. Common recyclable materials are: paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum, and electronic waste. Recycling is very important in diverting waste from landfills.
How Do You Identify Recyclable Products?
Many simple paper and plastic products are marked with the universal “chasing arrows” recycling symbol. Many electrical products (mobile phones, computers, printers, etc.) contain parts and materials which can be recycled by taking the products apart. Other products such as batteries, paints and fertilizers can be specially processed to reduce the environmental impact of their disposal.
How Do You Dispose of Recyclable Products?
- The easiest way to recycle is through your municipal curbside garbage program, assuming such a program is available. Find out what sorts of materials are accepted through this program, and how the materials should be separated to ensure they are processed correctly.
- Many communities conduct yearly collections of electronic recyclables. For recycled materials which aren't collected curbside, use a service like Lessismore.org to find a local drop-off center.
Biodegradable:
What Does It Mean?
'Biodegradable' simply means that a product will break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass within a reasonable amount of time in the natural environment. The term 'biodegradable' however has no legal enforcement or definition therefore the term has been used loosely by some manufacturers.
Biodegradability is a desirable feature in products such as cleaning agents. Conventional cleaning agents will often release harmful phosphates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as they break down, but biodegradable versions will not. How Do You Dispose of Biodegradable Products?
Products that are labeled as 'biodegradable' can be disposed of in your garbage. However it is important to remember that landfills lack the microorganisms and oxygen required for waste to biodegrade in a timely manner, so you should still try to minimize your use of items that are not recyclable or compostable.
Compostable: What Does It Mean?
'Compostable' products are biodegradable, but with an added benefit: when they break down, they release valuable nutrients into the soil, aiding the growth of trees and plants. These products degrade within several months in an industrial composting facility and produce no toxic residues.
Compostability is a desirable feature in traditionally-disposable products such as plates, bowls, cups and cutlery. These products are commonly made out of PLA (Polylactic acid), bagasse (sugarcane fiber) or vegetable starch. It is environmentally responsible to use disposable products that are labeled 'compostable' rather than just 'biodegradable'.
How Do You Identify Compostable Products?
Look for the compostable logo on all bags and packaging. It's the only logo that ensures the item you're buying will effectively break down when taken to a commercial compost facility. This is what the logo looks like:
How Do You Dispose of Compostable Products?
Products that are labeled 'compostable' should enter an industrial composting facility to fully degrade into organic matter.
Note: Engel & Gray operates the only Regional Composting Facility in Santa Barbara & San Luis Obispo County permitted to handle all organic feedstocks. Since 1993 Engel & Gray Regional Compost Facility located on the Central Coast of California has emerged as an innovative leader in Biosolids and Green Waste recycling, offering services to municipalities, agricultural, and landscape companies and individuals.
Together with the City of Santa Maria and its other partners in composting, Engel & Gray is permitted to recycle 400,000 yards of materials every year – waste that might otherwise end up in our already overused and capacity limited landfills.
If your city has a composting facility, place these products in your compost collection bins to be picked up. Compostable products will typically degrade in 30-120 days in an industrial composter, depending on the product size and material used.
If your city doesn't provide industrial composting, you can dispose of compostable products in your backyard or home composter, but they will take longer to degrade.
Do not put compostables into your recycling! They are not recyclable and will contaminate the recycling process.
Complete the Cycle! When shopping for garden supplies look for recycled and reclaimed materials. When you use Harvest Blend Compost to amend soil or top dress your lawn, you'll be caring for your landscape in the most environmentally responsible way. Naturally!
