Ch 9: Compost Confusion
Compostable vs. Biodegradable Packaging
Written and designed by volunteers: Mikaella Garcia, Sushant, Jodha Katyal, Meerab Khan, Maryem khalda, Senali Galagedara
What is Biodegradable Packaging?
Biodegradable packaging is designed to break down naturally over time, reducing waste and pollution. Materials like bamboo, paper bags, cardboard, and wood are great options because they come from renewable sources and decompose easily without harming the environment. Bamboo is especially strong and fast-growing, making it a sustainable alternative to plastic. Cardboard and paper bags are lightweight, recyclable, and commonly used in food and retail packaging. Overall, using these materials helps cut down on landfill waste and supports a healthier planet.
What is Compostable Packaging?
Types of Compostable Packaging: Biodegradable at home :Can decompose in a regular home compost heap. Examples include unbleached tea bags, compostable corn husks, and untreated natural paper towels. Industrially Compostable Packaging : Requires special composting facilities with heat and humidity. Examples include PLA bags, cornstarch cups, and food wrappers. Not suitable for home composting!
Biodegradable vs. Compostable
While all compostable packaging is biodegradable, but not all biodegradable packaging is compostable.
Biodegradable packaging breaks down naturally over time with the help of microorganisms like bacteria or fungi. This might take up to several months or even years, depending on the material! Compostable packaging, on the other hand, is designed to break down much faster—usually within a few weeks to a few months—under specific conditions. This can be done either in the safety of your home or at industrial composting facilities in larger quantities. Once these materials have fully broken down, they leave behind organic matter that enrich the soil to grow healthier plants!🌱
How Both Benefit the Planet
Both home compostable packaging and industrially compostable packaging contribute to protecting the environment by reducing waste. Home compostable packaging naturally breaks down in household compost bins without the need for specialized industrial facilities, which helps reduce the amount of household waste. On the other hand, industrially compostable packaging decomposes efficiently in high-temperature industrial facilities and is usually made from renewable materials like corn starch. This process turns waste into compost instead of sending it to landfills. Although the methods of decomposition differ between the two types, both share the common goal of reducing landfill waste and supporting a healthier, more sustainable planet through eco-friendly packaging solutions.
