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’s a better path. By turning organic agricultural waste into microbe-edible materials that perform just like conventional plastic, we can return what we use back to the soil, in weeks, not centuries.
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. There’s also no specific timeline for what makes something biodegradable: Even if it takes centuries, a material can still be called biodegradable.
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 microbe-edible plastic?
Both biodegradable and microbe-edible fall within the “bioplastic” category. They will break down and return to the earth over time, but biodegradable plastics don’t always break down completely or safely. Depending on what they’re made of, they can degrade into materials that are harmful to plants, animals, and soil.
Microbe-edible plastic goes further. It’s not just biodegradable, it’s literally consumed by microorganisms, breaking down into organic matter that’s safe and beneficial for the environment. And it does so in weeks, not centuries.
How long does it take būmi’s microbe-edible products to break down?
The big question: how long before it’s actually gone? The answer: around 3–6 months. At roughly 24 weeks, you should see significant breakdown into organic matter — no plastic residue, no waste.
The exact timeline depends on a few factors. Microorganisms need the right conditions to do their best work:
- Temperature: Depends on the stage of decomposition
- Moisture: 40–65%
- Acidity: 6–8 pH
- Oxygen levels: 5–15%
- Green-to-brown matter balance: two or three parts “brown” (carbon-rich) for every one part “green” (nitrogen-rich)
Get those conditions right, and būmi’s materials are consumed by microorganisms and returned to the earth — right in your own backyard.
If it’s microbe-edible, is it still functional?
Yes! Microbe-edible materials are designed to hold up through their entire intended use, and only begin breaking down when introduced to the right environment.For example, PVA bioplastics (such as those used for detergent pods) 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.
būmi products work the same way. They perform like conventional plastic until microorganisms get to work. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Do not break down in water, but are fully consumed by microorganisms in the right soil environment
- Withstand temperatures between -4°F–140°F (-20°C–60°C) before losing structural integrity
- Durable for the entirety of their intended lifespan
- Shelf life of 12–18 months when stored in a cool, dry place
Recyclable plastics versus microbe-edible 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.
Microbe-edible plastic is a significant step above. Rather than reprocessing plastic into another plastic product — with microplastics being a common side effect — microbe-edible materials create a true circular economy. The materials are consumed by microorganisms and returned safely to the soil, leaving behind nothing harmful.
And recycling itself is more complicated than most people realize. To recycle correctly, you need to check the resin code — the familiar triangle surrounding a number (1–7) on the bottom of plastic products. Most plastics recyclable at home through normal waste collection fall into categories 1 and 2. The other five typically require special treatment, if they can be recycled at all.
Home compostable versus industrial compostable, and why we say microbe-edible
You’ve probably seen products labeled “compostable.” But that word covers a lot of ground — and not all of it means what you’d hope.
The key distinction is between home compostable and industrial compostable. Industrial compostable products require specialized facilities — higher temperatures, controlled conditions — that simply can’t be replicated in a backyard bin. Home compostable products, on the other hand, break down in a regular compost environment without any special equipment.
That distinction matters more than most people realize. Not all industrial composting facilities even accept compostable plastics — they can be difficult to verify and complicate the process. When rejected, those materials get diverted right back to the landfill, defeating the purpose entirely.
būmi products are genuinely home compostable. But we prefer a different word: microbe-edible. Because what’s really happening isn’t just decomposition — it’s microorganisms consuming the material and converting it into organic matter that’s safe and beneficial for the earth. No industrial facility required. No uncertainty about whether it’ll actually break down.
If you have a garden, the payoff is real, compost is full of nutrients to enhance the soil. Trading būmi materials for healthier soil? That’s the whole point.
Frequently asked questions about microbe-edible plastics
Before returning your būmi materials to the earth, it helps to understand what’s actually happening, and what to do with products that aren’t microbe-edible. Here are a few common questions to get you started.
How does the breakdown process work?
When organic matter — food scraps, dry leaves, and microbe-edible materials — is compiled in a bin or pile with plenty of oxygen, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to get to work. The process causes heat to rise to around 140°F/60°C, then cool to around 80°F/30°C, at which point worms and other organisms break down the remaining material. After 3–6 months, what’s left is nutrient-rich organic matter ready to feed your soil.
Is biodegradable the same as microbe-edible?
Not quite. Biodegradable means a material will break down over time — but that could take years, and it may leave behind toxic residues. Microbe-edible means microorganisms can fully consume the material, converting it into organic matter that’s safe and beneficial for the earth, typically within 3–6 months.
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 of micro-edible plastics?
Return them to the earth! As a general rule, microbe-edible plastics should not be recycled — the recycling system isn’t designed to handle them. If you can’t process them at home, check whether there’s a community composting site near you. Either way, the goal is simple: keep them out of the landfill and let microorganisms do the rest.