In the world of sustainability, it is increasingly common to find all kinds of products that claim to be compostable . Often, consumers feel a sense of relief. The thought automatically occurs: “if it is compostable, it does not pollute.”
It's not exactly like that. Today we want to clarify this issue and give it the importance it deserves. In reality, when you buy a compostable product, what you have to do so that it doesn't generate polluting gases is to compost it . Throwing it into the 'normal garbage' container is a problem and we are going to tell you why.
Biodegradable and compostable
Let's start by clarifying some concepts. All compostable waste is biodegradable . But not all biodegradable items can be composted.
When we say that something is biodegradable, we mean that it can be broken down into natural chemical elements due to the action of biological agents such as bacteria, the sun or water, for example.
Let's give a clear example. The shampoos and soaps we sell at Alma Eko do not pollute water because all their components are natural and biodegradable . They flow with the water until they reach the treatment plant and do not damage river ecosystems along the way because they decompose into natural elements.
There are biodegradable elements that we can compost to generate fertilizer , but not all of them. The most common is to use food and pruning remains in domestic composters. Instead of throwing these remains into the urban waste bin, composting these remains is a great help for the planet. With them, instead of generating waste, we will obtain fertilizer to improve the quality of the land that we want to cultivate, for example.
But two things happen:
- Not everyone has the space for a home composter or land on which to use that compost.
- Not just any kind of waste can be put into a domestic composter . It must be materials that decompose quickly, in a maximum of 12 months. For this reason, the most commonly used materials for composting are vegetable food scraps and eggshells. Animal remains, such as bones or spines, are biodegradable, but their decomposition is much slower. Citrus peels, for example, are also biodegradable, but it is not recommended to put them into the composter because they acidify the compost and limit its effectiveness as a fertilizer.
Are bioplastics compostable?
For decades , plastic has invaded our lives because it is a very cheap material that is very easy to produce countless objects with. But we have known for many years that this is a problem and governments are trying to limit the use of plastic .
Companies are also trying to adapt in order to achieve a more environmentally-friendly image, and bioplastics have started to appear. In most cases, these are packaging and bags made from organic and biodegradable materials , such as corn or potato starch.
On the face of it, it sounds good. It seems that we have found a way to have a material that protects products or helps us transport them in a less polluting way . But the truth is that, in many cases, these bioplastics are obtained through extensive production that is not at all environmentally friendly . What we have gained on one hand, we lose on the other.
Furthermore, these bioplastics, although biodegradable, can take a long time to decompose. In fact, there are various certifications for bioplastics that indicate whether they are compostable in domestic or industrial composters, among others.
What about supermarket bags?
Since 1 January 2021, retailers are not allowed to offer plastic bags made from petroleum derivatives. Supermarkets have opted to dispense bioplastic bags (also in their fruit and vegetable stores).
Again, it seems like a small victory. But first of all, you have to look at what kind of certificate there is on those bags. At Mercadona, for example, they have opted for compostable bioplastics in industrial plants . Do you know what you should do if one of those bags falls into your hands and you have to throw it away? Obviously, you can't put it in your home composter, if you have one. In the best case, in your municipality there will be containers for compostable waste. You could throw those bags there. But there are not many municipalities that have already opted for this. Another option is to throw it in the corresponding container at the recycling center in your municipality. But many do not have this container either. Things are getting complicated, aren't they?
Well, wait, we're not done yet. Then, we might start thinking that it would be better to buy from supermarkets whose bags are compostable in domestic environments. But then the guys from Vivir sin plástico come along and do an experiment in which they use bags from Carrefour and Lidl with the 'Ok Compost Home' certificate and you're in over your head. We'll leave you the video at the end of the post.
But then what do I do?
First of all, try not to use disposable bags, even if they are made from bioplastics . Instead , opt for reusable bags that you can use to buy in bulk and transport your items. At Alma Eko you can find many options .
Second, compost . Yes, compost. It seems like we've been telling you all article that it's useless, but in reality, it's very useful. If you can have a composter at home, perfect. In the same Living Without Plastic video that we talked about, they show you how to make a very simple homemade composter and what to do with the compost generated if you don't have your own space to use it . And, if you really want to roll up your sleeves, try to get your local council to put compost bins in your area. We wish you luck.
Why is composting important?
Composting is really important . The organic waste that we throw into the 'normal garbage' container ends up in landfills sharing the same space with non-organic waste. This is a big problem. These two types of materials in contact create an enormous amount of greenhouse gases .
So if you buy any product from our store, or anywhere else, that claims to be compostable, compost it. Try to throw away as little organic waste as possible.
And what do I do with non-compostable waste? Try not to generate it. Doing everything perfectly, having an urban life, is practically impossible. But small gestures made by many people can make a big change and provide great protection for the planet.
What we are proposing is a huge paradigm shift in everyday consumption that is at odds with the pace of life we have. But we insist on small changes by large groups to achieve global results .
