What is "compostable"

    The term "compostable" refers to a product or material that can biodegrade under specific, human-driven circumstances. Unlike biodegradation, which is completely natural, composting requires human intervention. In the composting process, microbes break down organic matter with the help of humans, who provide the water, oxygen and organic matter needed to optimize conditions. The composting process usually takes several months or one to three years.

    Timing is affected by variables such as oxygen, water, light, and the type of compost environment. There are two main types of compost:

    ● Residential composting: Residential composting involves collecting food scraps into bins or piles, mixing them with yard waste, and breaking them down into more basic organic matter on a regular basis. For this reason, you can't break down things like meat, cheese, and fish in a residential trash can because not enough heat is generated.

    ● Commercial composting: Commercial composting involves screening and sorting organic and inorganic matter, breaking them down with chippers and grinders, and creating optimal humidity, temperature, and oxygen conditions. As a result, commercial composters are able to break down more complex products than household composters.

    Biodegradable and compostable degradable plastics.

If you've recently purchased a phone case, travel mug, or reusable shopping bag, you've probably come across biodegradable and compostable plastics, also known as bioplastics.

    Many restaurants have even started using bioplastic for takeout containers, cutlery and cups. These are usually made from materials like cornstarch, cellulose and soybeans. Properly composted, they break down into non-toxic carbon dioxide, biomass and water.

However, just because plastic is biodegradable or compostable doesn't mean it will break down under any circumstances. Consider the pros and cons of compostable plastic before your next purchase.

    Biodegradable and compostable plastics have the following disadvantages:

    ● Bioplastics that can only be degraded by compost require industrial composting for sustained high temperatures. They still take a long time to break down if only in a household compost heap or landfill.

    ● Bioplastics that can only be degraded by compost do not solve the problem of Marine plastic pollution because they do not biodegrade quickly in Marine conditions.

    ● Bioplastics cannot be mixed with recyclable plastics, they must be recycled in different parting streams.