Compostable material, as a concept, is nothing new.
The theory of eco-friendly bioplastic has been around for almost 100 years. Still, it wasn’t until the early 1990s that the first biodegradable plastic-like material was made from agricultural products.
Since then, the science behind organic everyday items has continued to improve, and the manufacturing of compostable bags has evolved to meet commercial interests and consumer demand. With growing general awareness about the damaging impact of plastics, compostable materials were viewed as our best alternative to traditional plastic bags.
In recent years, there has been a strong public shift toward a more sustainable way of living and working. Adopting a compostable bag made from naturally degradable substances like corn starch is an easy and effective ‘first step’ along this journey. Its ability to break down in a composting environment helps businesses and individuals reduce the amount of plastic waste they’re dumping into landfill and, subsequently, minimise their carbon footprint.
While compostable bags are now a standard household product and widely used worldwide, there are still many knowledge gaps and misconceptions about their functionality. To help bring you up to speed, we’ve compiled five commonly misunderstood things about compostable bags.
- Compostable bags aren’t the same as biodegradable bags
While the words ‘compostable’ and ‘biodegradable’ are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Biodegradable bags break down over time but do not necessarily break down in a composting environment. On the other hand, compostable bags are specifically designed to break down in a home compost or industrial composting facility with organic waste.
- Specific conditions are required for compostable bags to break down
Compostable bags need a particular set of conditions to decompose properly. It may not be enough to simply throw a bag of organic waste into a composting bin. It also needs the right temperature, moisture, and the presence of microorganisms to disappear entirely without leaving any residue behind.
- Not all composting facilities accept compostable bags
Not all facilities, be it community composts or council-run schemes, are equipped to handle compostable bags. They require the proper equipment and infrastructure to be able to process them. It’s important to check with your local composting facilities to confirm if they accept compostable bags before disposing of them.
- Compostable bags may not be suitable for all methods of composting.
Even though compostable bags are made from plant-based materials, they may not be designed to degrade in all composting methods, such as vermicomposting or tumblers, which might not generate enough heat to fully break down the bags. Check the certification labels on your compostable bags to find out which composting environment they are suitable for.
- Compostable bags are not as durable as traditional plastic bags
Due to their organic makeup and degradable design, compostable bags are less durable than plastic bags. They may be more prone to tear or break if they’ve held food scraps or moisture for multiple days. Using a compostable bin liner inside a composting bucket is a good approach to avoid messy spills. Something with handles will help carry your organics to the composting bin.
Keep these insights in mind when choosing a compostable bag manufacturer for your personal use or business operations, and let your new knowledge guide you when deciding on the best approach for disposing of your organic waste.
