Looking for Something?

Monday, May 5, 2008

Experts on compostable plastic: It doesn't work.

The BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute), which does independent testing, agrees that biodegradable plastics don't really work, especially not in landfills. After my little experiment with Chiquita's version of this eco-plastic, I couldn't agree more.

(Thanks to PMS for sending the link to BPI!)

6 comments:

PMS_CC said...

I was also excited that there WERE some companies that met the standards, at least if they're in proper composting facilities.

I played around the links and found an interesting set of info at Earthcycle you'd probably like to add to your arsenal, if it isn't already there.

PMS_CC said...

That last post wasn't very clear English. I blame the fog. Or Rio. Definitely either the fog or Rio.

Sam said...

Rio?! I thought you were in california!

PMS_CC said...

I think you can blame Rio from afar. It's kind of like "liberals" in that respect.

Anonymous said...

There are plastics that are ASTM 5511 certified which means they will degrade in landfills. BPI is pro compostable products- that is what they test.However, did you know that biobased products only degrade in commercial or municipal composts? And that there are only 28 of them in the US? So all the biobased products that are driving up the cost of food don't degrade in backyard composts.

Sam said...

Anon -- Exactly. If this stuff doesn't decompose under the conditions normal people can provide in their homes, or in readily available municipal facilities, then what good is it even if it decomposes in a lab? Not to mention what it's doing to the cost of food.

Hope to see more of you!