weeks, not centuries
turning bioplastics into soil
As we turn to waste solutions that help the environment rather than harm it, plastic is one of the most pressing issues. The lifecycle of conventional, single-use plastics is daunting: Shopping bags take decades to break down, and sturdier items like water bottles take centuries.
Fortunately, there are alternative plastics that take a fraction of the time and help the earth rather than hurt it. By turning organic agricultural waste into compostable bioplastics, we can return our packaging to the soil in weeks.
What does biodegradable mean?
By definition, something that is biodegradable will break down into natural elements when exposed to a natural environment. That could mean degrading when exposed to air, water, soil, and a number of other factors. The technical term is an essential test criteria in obtaining third-party composting standard certifications.
Unfortunately, the word has fallen into the trap of “greenwashing” among so many eco-friendly terms used for marketing and sales. Regulation on calling a product biodegradable is inconsistent depending on where you live, meaning some “biodegradable” products break down incompletely or leave traces of microplastics or metals behind. When we talk about bioplastics turning into soil, we need to be careful about what a particular bioplastic actually degrades into.
What makes biodegradable plastic different from compostable plastic?
Both biodegradable plastic and compostable plastic fall within the “bioplastic” category. They will break down and return to the earth over time, but biodegradable plastics may not do so in a compost environment. What they break down into can also be different. Depending on what it’s made of, a biodegradable plastic may degrade into material that’s harmful to plants and animals. Compostable plastic is both biodegradable and safe for the environment!
How long does it take būmi’s home compostable products to break down?
The big question: How long are my compostable plastic bags going to sit in my compost bin? The answer: 3-6 months! At around 24 weeks, you should see significant degradation into soil. The exact length depends on a few factors. First, the products should be introduced to a healthy compost environment. From there, the parameters of your composting system need to be within an ideal range for an active compost pile:
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Temperature: Depends on the stage of composting
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Moisture: 40%~65%
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Acidity: 6~8 pH
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Oxygen levels: 5%~15%
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Green matter-brown matter balance: Two or three parts “brown” (carbon-rich) for every one part “green” (nitrogen-rich)
In other words, if you throw our compostable dinnerware into the compost bin after your summer barbecue, you’ll have nutrient-rich fertilizer to help your garden through the winter.
If it’s compostable and biodegradable, is it functional?
Yes! Different biodegradable products start breaking down when exposed to specific conditions. For example, PVA bioplastics made from sugar cane dissolve in water. They’re designed to hold up until introduced to the element that will degrade it once the product has completed its function.
Compostable bioplastics—like those made by būmi—work by the same principle. They are intended to be fully functional and hold up while being used, and only break down when put in a compost system. There’s no need to worry about our dinnerware melting in your mouth, and our packing holds up in the rain as well as the sun! The products būmi provide:
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Do not break down in water, but do fully biodegrade in a compost environment.
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Withstand temperatures between -4°F~140°F (-20°C~60°C) before losing structural integrity.
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Are durable for the entirety of its intended lifespan.
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Have a shelf life of 12-18 months when stored in a cool, dry place.
Recyclable plastics vs. biodegradable plastics
Most people are familiar with single-use plastics and the harm they do to the environment. Recycling programs are widespread, and they do help prevent waste from going to the landfill, but recycled plastic is still plastic. It sticks around for a long time, and will continue to do so after we’re gone.
Biodegradable plastic is a significant step above. Even those that only partially degrade into organic material within a few decades are still an improvement over PET bottles that sit in a landfill or the ocean for centuries!
To do our best with the recyclable plastics we have, we need to check its resin code. This is the familiar triangle surrounding a number (1-7) on the bottom of plastic products. The majority of plastics you can recycle at home through normal waste collection fall into categories 1 and 2, with the other five typically requiring special treatment to recycle, if they can be recycled at all.
Home compostable vs. industrial compostable
vs
You’ll find that some products label or advertise that they are “compostable.” While that may be true, this does not always mean it’s safe for composting at home!
The main difference between home compostable and industrial compostable lies in the name. Home compostable items can be broken down at home with your regular compost solution, while industrial compostable items require a specialized environment to degrade into compost (e.g., higher temperatures).
So, how are they similar? For starters, they are both accepted ways of composting and result in degraded organic material that’s safe for the environment. The composting time is roughly the same (although some specific industrial techniques can accelerate the process), anything that can be composted at home can be composted in an industrial facility, and most importantly, both divert waste from landfills.
Industrial composting may be preferable if:
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The compostable plastics require industrial facilities for safe composting.
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There is a large quantity of material to be composted (think restaurant food waste).
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The material should not be mixed into home compost (e.g., animal products, bones, greasy cardboard).
A major perk of home composting is the personal benefits. If you have a garden to nurture, compost is full of nutrients to enhance the soil—your soil. Trading food scraps and compostable plastics for healthy vegetables and flowers? Bargain!
If necessary, home compostable items can also be sent to industrial facilities if you’re unable to take care of it at home. Composting at all is better than sending your plastic waste to a landfill.
Frequently asked questions about composting biodegradable plastics
To turn your biodegradable plastics into soil, it’s essential to first check that they can be composted at all. If yes, check whether they need to go to an industrial facility or if they can be composted at home. If the latter, you’re in business! Here’s a few more points to consider before throwing your būmi bags into the compost bin.
How does composting work?
Basically, composting works by compiling organic matter (like food scraps, dry leaves, and compostable bioplastics) in a bin or pile and introducing plenty of oxygen to create a perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to begin breaking it down. This causes the heat to rise slightly to around 140°F/60°C, then cool to around 80°F/30°C. At that point, creatures like worms will break down the remaining material. After a handful of months (3-6), you’ll have nutrient-rich compost for your soil!
Is plastic biodegradable?
Conventional, single-use plastics made out of material like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are not biodegradable. Many bioplastics, on the other hand, do biodegrade in a natural environment. Examples of biodegradable plastics include polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG).
Is biodegradable the same as compostable?
No, they are two different things, although there is some overlap. Biodegradable means that a material will break down (degrade) naturally over time in a number of conditions (e.g., soil or water). However, that could mean years, and they may leave behind toxic residues. Compostable materials break down considerably faster (within 3-6 months) in a controlled environment, resulting in compost that can be safely returned to the soil.
How do I dispose of biodegradable plastics?
Regardless of what it’s made of, check the product’s labeling. Biodegradable plastics can be made of several types of plastics—some biobased, some not—and that will change how to safely dispose of it.
How do I dispose compostable plastics?
Ideally, compost them! As a general rule, compostable plastics should not be recycled, as the recycle system is not designed to dispose of them. If you’re not able to compost at home, check if there’s a community composting site in your area and work together with your neighbors to turn your bioplastics into soil!