It’s not hard to understand why food on-the-go is so appealing. Pull a car full of hungry kids into the drive-through at your local burger joint and everyone leaves full and happy. In the mood for a coffee or egg sandwich on the way to work? It wouldn’t be a surprise with dozens of 50ft billboards advertising blended coffees or hot snacks. Plus, it’s quick and easy. Unfortunately, the plastic or Styrofoam containers last much longer than the sandwiches, drinks, burgers or fries that are devoured in a few minutes.
Non-biodegradable plastics will last indefinitely and plastic is everywhere:
According to the EPA “In 2006, the United States generated about 14 million tons of plastics in the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream as containers and packaging, over 6 million tons as nondurable goods [such as diapers and trash bags], and almost 9 million tons as durable goods [appliances].”
Recycling is definitely not eliminating plastics in the environment. The Epa continues to explain that “overall recovery of plastics for recycling is relatively small — 1.4 million tons, or 3.9 percent of plastics generation in 2003”
With this in mind, companies like the BiodegradableStore develop containers made from biodegradable materials. Corn Plastics (PLA) and Bagasse (sugarcane) make up containers that will decompose in 35- 60 days in proper composting conditions.
PLA products look and feel exactly like regular plastic, but since they are made from corn, these items are 100% compostable. The added benefit of corn products is that corn stalks are known to grow quickly and are a renewable resource.
Bagasse, is more heat tolerant than corn plastics (which deteriorate at temperatures above 115 degrees (F)) and is made from sugarcane stalk pulp. Bagasse is comparable to thick paper and is ideal for serving hot drinks. It is even microwaveable. Bagasse takes advantage of sugarcane stalks that are typically discarded during the sugar making process.
There are many incentives for food and beverage distributers to start handing out these products with meals. Consumers will be happier knowing that the countless cups, plates, napkins and even bags, will return to nature and this would be a positive thought to dwell on while the food has left everyone feeling uncomfortably full.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Yes, but how many users know that the PLA and Bagasse products have to be composted in order to effectively become more green as these products will not break down in the landfill. Does each city or even metro area have a commercial composting facility readily available to accept these products? My guess is no as the state of Colorado only has one location with limited capacity. Finally, do the restaurants that sell the compostable products have separate trash cans for the compostable products? These are some questions I believe are important in truely deciding if compostable products in the long term answer. Especially with the price of corn affecting our food costs, I’d rather be buying cheaper produce and chicken than using a corn cup as I can recycle PET cups much easier.
May 28th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Please note that PLA and bagasse are compostable, not biodegradable. They will never break down in a landfill. PLA needs a commercial or municipal compost facility as per their specs (ASTM 6400). There are 28 of these according to an article in “Smithsonian Magazine” in the ENTIRE US where PLA can be put so it will compost.They will not break down in a backyard compost. PLA also uses more fossil fuels than regular plastic according to several studies (”How Green are Green Plastics”). So between the diversion of corn to PLA and ethanol, we have a shortage and higher cost for our foods for a product that cannot degrade in a landfill. Not a good choice in my book.