Traditional plastic is widely known as not being the best choice for the environment, particularly when it comes to bags, carry bags and now even dog poop bags. With people around the world looking to reduce their environmental footprint, alternative options such as Biodegradable And Compostable Dog Poop Bags are entering the market.
Compostable and biodegradable dog poop bags are less toxic and more environmentally friendly than traditional plastic bags due to their ability to break down rapidly in the right environment. They are known as bioplastics, being made from renewable materials. Biodegradable plastic does include some traditional plastic components and can leave behind some toxic residue when breaking down in landfill. Whereas, compostable plastic bags can break down in a composter or worm farm back into natural components.
Typical dog poop bags are essentially made from traditional plastic, meaning you dispose of them in landfill and they contribute to the waste pollution in the world. They are often made from polyethylene resin (PE). These are thermoplastic polymers – meaning they’ve been heated and reheated again to be moulded into the correct shapes.
Other forms of PE include low and high-density polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE). Typically, you will find HDPE commonly used for harder wearing applications such as shampoo or toiletry bottles and LDPE for softer applications such as shopping bags, cling wrap and dog poop bags.
They can also be made from bioplastics that are able to be quickly degraded in a landfill environment or compostable, which can be broken down into natural components in an industrial composter, home composter or worm farm.
The dog poop bags made from HDPE or LDPE are technically able to be recycled, however, unfortunately many people just dispose of them in a rubbish bin in the park or at home. HDPE is flexible upon heating and is strong once cooled, making it useful for sheeting, engineering applications and product packaging.
This type of plastic is resistant to chemical and impact, has a long life-span, is strong and durable yet lightweight and is easily recyclable similar to PET (think soft drink bottles). Similar to HDPE, LDPE can be recycled through being melted down and used for new products. This plastic can also leach toxic chemicals if left un-recycled.
The other issue with these bags is that the recycling is not always readily available – some shops will take carry bags but dog poop bags will have to go to your local recycling plant if it accepts them through curbside collection.
The biggest benefit of using a plastic alternative for your dog poop bags – such as compostable or biodegradable – is that you will be reducing your environmental footprint in several ways. A typical plastic bag can take centuries to thousands of years to break down in landfill.
Bioplastic refers to plastic alternatives that are made from renewable sources such as organic materials. Two examples of a bioplastic are compostable plastic and biodegradable plastic. This essentially means that these plastics are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than traditional plastics which cause several issues for the environment.
Biodegradable plastic is made to break down faster with specially designed microbes that speed up the decomposing process. Biodegradable plastic is also often known as ‘bio-based’ plastic as it still contains some toxic chemicals, unlike compostable plastic.
Biodegradable plastic is often made by extracting the sugar from plants like corn and sugarcane. These are then converted into polylactic acids. Another way to make biodegradable plastic is to engineer it from microorganisms which are made to break down the plastic quicker.
Compostable plastic is an alternative to the typical toxic plastic most popular items such as plastic bags have been made from for decades. A ‘next-generation’ plastic, compostable plastic is made from renewable materials that will break down when they start to compost.
Biodegradable plastic is providing another option for consumers to feel they are protecting the environment.
Some of the benefits of biodegradable dog poop bags include:
It should be noted that biodegradable plastic can leave behind some toxic residue when breaking down, due to the plastic components still present in the plastic.
Compostable plastic is an alternative to the typical toxic plastic most popular items such as plastic bags have been made from for decades. While a typical plastic bag may take thousands of years to break down, compostable plastic can be broken down in an industrial composter, home composter or worm farm.
Some of the benefits of compostable dog poop bags include:
Plastic is used for so many everyday products from medical packaging and food packaging to toys, engineering and building products. For bags such as shopping bags, rubbish bin bags, dog poop bags, plastic has been the traditional choice for many years.
However, traditional plastic contributes to many environmental issues such as:
Unfortunately, many traditional plastics can’t be recycled and contribute to not only landfill but are toxic for wildlife and soil. Plastic can take decades, centuries or even thousands of years to break down.
Biodegradable dog poop bags are easy to dispose of – being able to be thrown into landfill. This means that you can dispose of your dog poop in its bag in your normal garbage bin or in public garbage bins. So next time you’re at the dog park or walking your dog, you can dispose of your biodegradable dog poop bag in the bin.
However, do be aware that when breaking down into landfill, biodegradable plastic can leave behind toxic residue. They also can’t be disposed of in a composter or worm farm.
Compostable plastic bags can be disposed of in an industrial composter (in large quantities), a home composter or a worm farm. However, it’s important to understand the exclusions to these disposal methods.
If you’re interested in lowering your environmental impact with your dog poop disposal, you’ll be excited to learn that compostable and biodegradable dog poop bags are becoming more and more accessible and cost effective.
You can purchase compostable (arguably the best type!) dog poop bags right here. We offer 120 bags made from corn starch in each roll!
These bags will:
Bioplastics including biodegradable and compostable plastic provide excellent alternatives to traditional plastic for your everyday needs, such as dog poop bags. Compostable dog poop bags such as the ones Generation earth sells, provide you with a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable option for disposing of your dog’s poop.
You can dispose of biodegradable plastic bags in landfill and know they will break down more rapidly than traditional plastic. However, compostable plastic can be disposed of in an industrial composting facility, your home composter or your worm farm to return to a completely natural state.
If you’re looking to take small (or large) steps toward living more sustainably and reducing your environmental footprint, consider purchasing compostable dog poop bags. While you’re here, take a look at our other environmentally friendly products such as compostable bags!
]]>Composting has emerged as a crucial process in our quest to reduce plastic waste and its environmental impact. But not all composting is created equal. This blog delves into the differences between home and industrial composting facilities, emphasizing the importance of proper disposal methods for compostable plastics.
At home, composting is a personal step towards sustainability, transforming kitchen scraps and approved compostable plastics into nutrient-rich soil. In contrast, industrial composting is a large-scale, precision-driven operation designed to handle vast amounts of compostable materials, including those with residue like glue or ink.
While all compostable plastics can biodegrade within 90 days in the right conditions, the environment plays a pivotal role. In an industrial facility, the process can be as quick as 10 days, thanks to meticulous monitoring and control. But it's not just about time; it's about making informed choices to ensure that these eco-friendly alternatives don't end up in landfills, contributing to pollution.
Join us as we explore the nuances of composting and how, by choosing and disposing of plastics wisely, we can all contribute to a healthier, cleaner planet.
]]>With the increasing interest and availability of alternative plastics such as compostable plastic, it’s important to understand the different ways to breakdown these materials. What Is An Industrial Or Commercial Composting Facility? There are two main options known as a home composter and an industrial or commercial composter.
A commercial or industrial composter is more closely monitored, with several steps to breakdown materials quickly and efficiently. These facilities are highly controlled, can take mass amounts of materials and measurements such as temperature, moisture, organism levels and the like are all closely monitored. This ensures that materials such as compostable plastics which cannot go to landfill are able to be broken down in large amounts quickly. A home composter takes smaller amounts with less monitoring.
While composting can be achieved at home or in an industrial facility, the fundamental factors are the same. The difference is the control and measurements of an industrial or commercial facility over the less regimented home composter.
The act of composting is essentially a process that sees materials such as compostable plastic or organic material such as food scraps, placed into a composter. This matter is then broken down through the presence of insects, worms, bacteria and fungi.
A commercial composter is extremely measured and controlled, with all aspects such as water, air, temperature and introduced micro-organisms being watched. Compost can then be utilised as fertiliser in gardens or fields as it has been broken down to organic matter and is full of useful nutrients.
Going back to our question “What Is An Industrial Or Commercial Composting Facility?”
Many people use home composters to minimise their environmental impact and reduce waste, as well as fertilise their own gardens. They put their food waste such as fruits, coffee grounds and vegetables along with compostable plastics and other easily broken down materials into a home composter.
These home composters usually contain insects and worms to assist in the process as well as shredded newspaper, grass clippings, leaves or even eggshells. Home composters are becoming more accessible and available to the everyday consumer.
A home composter essentially results in a nutrient-rich soil that occurs over a period of months. Food such as meat, fish or dairy isn’t suitable for a home composter as animals can be attracted (such as mice or rats) to the composter.
An industrial or commercial composter on the other hand, is much larger and much more protected. This type of composting is carefully and closely monitored by staff. They ensure the correct amounts of water, air, carbon and nitrogen-rich materials are introduced into the composter at the right times.
An industrial composting facility ensures that the decomposition process is at its most rapid due to the optimisation of their processes. Materials such as shredded paper are kept at the same size and the temperature and oxygen levels maintained to ensure toxic-free compost.
This type of facility can also take more materials than a home composter such as products with glue or ink and can take much larger amounts of materials at one time. This allows waste from homes without a composter to be degraded and not contribute to landfill.
These facilities are also very large and housed in sheds or warehouses which minimise the odour and keep away the weather such as rain. The process can take weeks to months depending on the waste decomposing.
The compost produced by an industrial or commercial facility can be sold as fertiliser or used for large landscaping projects such as Council or city projects.
Put simply, only compostable plastics can be placed in a composter. Technically, all plastics are biodegradable and will eventually decompose. However, traditional plastics will take thousands of years to breakdown.
Compostable plastics are made to break down quicker with the correct environment and other microorganisms. For plastic to break down, it requires microbes and fungi in the environment. Compostable plastic must be placed in a composter to decompose.
The microbe-rich environment in an industrial or home composter is what assists the plastic to breakdown more rapidly. Industrial composters are the ideal places with their controlled environment for compostable plastic to rapidly breakdown.
Compostable bags won’t decompose well in landfill and will contribute to the plastics problem. Typically, in the right environment, a compostable bag will take around 90 days to decompose in a compost bin. Compostable plastics also won’t leave behind toxic sludge as biodegradable plastic does.
The aim of compostable plastic is to degrade into carbon dioxide, water and biomass as they are made from organic materials.
As only compostable plastic can be composted, traditional plastic and biodegradable plastic should NOT be placed into a home or industrial composter. They will contaminate the other materials and lead to toxicity. They won’t break down in that environment.
With the environment again, being the most important part of decomposition for plastics, biodegradable plastics must not be placed into composters. For example, placed in a landfill, not all biodegradable plastics will decompose quickly. Some will require treatment at a recycling or bio waste facility.
Compostable plastics such as bags, coffee cups and packaging, plates and similar can all be placed in a composter but be careful to keep them free of nasties such as leftover food if placing in a home composter. Coffee grounds are fine but any chemicals such as ink, glue or meat etc aren’t ok.
Leaving these in or on your plastic will contaminate your home composter or attract vermin or animals. Clean is best for home composting, whereas a large facility can account for leftover materials in your plastic and process accordingly.
Compostable plastics should take around 90 days to breakdown if in the correct environment. This includes a compost bin that maintains a minimum temperature and the right surrounding materials. This can be a home composter or an industrial one.
Again, if there is leftover material such as ink, glue or food scraps not for composting, this can impact the decomposition or attract vermin. The idea is that compostable plastic will go into the compost bin and breakdown over time into organic matter.
This includes water, carbon dioxide or biomass that can then be turned into fertiliser with the other materials present in the compost. Being made of natural plant starch, they are non-toxic and can break down readily in the right environment.
They are ideal as bin liners in your kitchen to capture applicable food scraps such as apple cores, vegetable peel, coffee grounds and the like. Some industrial composting facilities claim bags to break down in as little as 10 days with the right environment.
Unfortunately, just because plastic is compostable, doesn’t necessarily good for the environment. This is due to the misunderstanding of many consumers on what to do with it. This lack of clarity can result in compostable plastic being thrown into landfill.
Many people also confuse biodegradable with compostable plastic and assume they will break down in the same way. This is unfortunately not the case and compostable plastic contributes to pollution and landfill.
If not composted properly, compostable plastic also becomes an environmental issue the same as plastic, filling natural environments such as the ocean the same way as traditional plastic. This leads to people thinking they are making a safer and smarter choice but being ignorant about where to dispose of the material.
To recap, What Is An Industrial Or Commercial Composting Facility?, compostable plastics are a good choice for the environment if you are familiar with how to dispose of these correctly. Also understanding the difference between what can go in a home composter and what requires an industrial or commercial composter is also key.
A home composter is safe for compostable plastics that have no residue or chemical present and can take up to 90 days to decompose. This can then be used as fertiliser in your home garden. This is a simple and easy option for those with a home composter.
An industrial or commercial composter can be used for large amounts of compostable plastics and those that still retain glue, ink or food scraps that can’t go into your home composter for fear of vermin. This can take 10-90 days to decompose and are closely monitored and controlled.
A home composter is a much less controlled environment, whereas, an industrial composting facility is very closely measured and controlled for optimal output. The compost from these large facilities can be used for vast landscaping or Council/city projects requiring large amounts of fertiliser.
Regardless of which composter you choose, you are only contributing to a cleaner environment and less waste by disposing of the compostable plastics correctly.
]]>With the rising awareness of the impact plastic has on the environment, many people may wonder what the difference is between the popular compostable and biodegradable
There are several differences between compostable plastic and biodegradable plastic, namely that one still contains plastic and the other is made of natural plant starch. One is best broken down in a composter and the other will only leave behind harmful chemicals if disposed of in a composter. Compostable plastic is made to decompose back into natural compounds and biodegradable will breakdown into smaller particles but leave some toxic traces behind.
Compostable plastic is an alternative to the typical toxic plastic most popular items such as plastic bags have been made from for decades. A ‘next-generation’ plastic, compostable plastic is made from renewable materials that will breakdown when they start to compost.
While a typical plastic bag may take thousands of years to breakdown, compostable plastic can be broken down in an industrial composter. In Australia, compostable plastic must adhere to Australian Standard 4736 and meet certain requirements such as 90 per cent biodegradation within 180 days of compost.
What is compostable plastic made from exactly? The materials vary, but include organic and renewable materials such as corn, soy protein, potato, tapioca starches, lactic acid and cellulose. These materials mean that compostable plastics are non-toxic and can decompose when composted correctly.
In addition to compostable plastic, there is another option known as biodegradable plastic. Biodegradable plastic is providing another option for consumers to feel they are protecting the environment.
The idea of biodegradable plastic is that it will breakdown faster with specially designed microbes that have the opportunity to breakdown in months rather than centuries or longer. Biodegradable plastic is also often known as ‘bio-based’ plastic as it still contains some toxic chemicals, unlike compostable plastic.
Biodegradable plastic is often made by extracting the sugar from plants like corn and sugarcane. These are then converted into polylactic acids. Another way to make biodegradable plastic is to engineer it from microorganisms which are made to break down the plastic quicker.
There are many ‘bio-plastics’ emerging into the market, so what are the key differences between compostable and biodegradable plastics? There are several, from material makeup to decomposition and the environment in which they can break down.
Biodegradable plastics are manufactured to breakdown to their natural components over time. They are created through a mix of organic and chemical compounds, with added microbes engineered to attract the right microbes to decompose quickly.
Compostable plastics are made to return to the environment when they breakdown and also to provide nutrients to that environment. These are made from organic materials and able to be decomposed quickly with a home or industrial
When disposed of correctly, both can take centuries off the time it takes traditional plastic to breakdown. However, biodegradable plastics can leave behind toxic chemicals when decomposing and compostable plastics don’t.
On the other hand, if you don’t dispose of compostable plastic correctly and drop it into landfill, it will take a long time to decompose like traditional plastic. There are biodegradable plastics that, unlike compostable, are able to decompose quickly in landfill environments.
Traditional plastic will eventually breakdown, however, this can take centuries or even thousands of years. The aim with these plastic alternatives – such as compostable and biodegradable plastic – is that they will shorten the process to months or less.
Plastic is broken down by microbes or fungi in the environment over time. Biodegradable plastic can take three to six months to decompose completely. Some may be up to a year or more. The time frame depends on several factors such as moisture or temperature.
The environment that these plastics are placed in are key to the time it will take to break them down. For example, placed in a landfill, not all biodegradable plastics will decompose quickly. However, when composted through biowaste collection, the plastics can decompose much quicker.
This is due to the microbe-rich environment contained in an industrial composter which assists the plastic to breakdown faster. Many of these items will be marked if they are landfill-biodegradable.
Biodegradable bags unfortunately do contain some of the same materials as traditional plastic which can delay the process and cause them to degrade into toxic chemical sludge.
Compostable plastic is best broken down in an industrial composter as that’s what it is designed for rather than landfill. These composters are set up perfectly with the right temperature, moisture levels, air and other important factors for decomposition.
Compostable bags won’t decompose well in landfill and will take a long time. Typically, in the right environment, a compostable bag will take around 90 days to decompose in a compost bin.
When it comes to deciding which plastic is the best choice for the environment, look to several factors. These include how you will dispose of the product i.e. landfill or composter; whether the product is marked as landfill-friendly; whether you can reuse the product and what other options are available to you.
If you’re choosing between biodegradable and compostable, the least toxic will be the compostable as it contains no toxic compounds. Compostable plastics will break down (when in the right environment) and not emit or leave behind any toxic material.
However, if you’re not disposing of your compostable plastic in the right environment then you should choose landfill-biodegradable so that the plastic has a chance of decomposing faster than traditional plastic. This however, can leave behind some toxic compounds after decomposition.
The makeup of these plastics also lean toward compostable as they are made up of much organic and natural materials over biodegradable which still contain more chemical compounds related to traditional plastic.
Your choices in how you dispose of the plastic really plays the key factor in which plastic is best for the environment.
To look at whether or not compostable and biodegradable plastics are sustainable, it’s important to look at their environmental footprint and also the longevity of sourcing the materials needed to keep making these plastics.
Compostable plastics protect the environment to an extent, being made from organic materials that are often in large supply and going back to the environment to decompose. Being able to continue making these with a smaller impact on the environment than traditional plastic is possible.
However, compostable plastics do require the right environment such as a home or industrial composter to decompose. Thus, if they’re thrown into landfill, they merely contribute to waste issues.
Biodegradable plastics rely on some chemical compounds to be manufactured, meaning they can leave behind toxic elements upon decomposition. However, the bulk of their organic material is easily sourced and easily decomposed. Some biodegradable plastics are also able to be sent to landfill.
Overall, these options are largely sustainable but the consumer’s choice on when and how to use and where to discard are key to ensuring their longevity as environmentally-friendly options.
When looking at which choice is best in the plastics market, it’s important to consider your usage and how you will dispose of the items. Yes, you can choose the most organic option in compostable, however, if you simply throw the item in the bin then you aren’t protecting the environment at all.
This item simply will contribute to landfill and pollution the same as traditional plastic. In this case, you are best to choose a landfill-biodegradable item which can still decompose quicker in landfill. However, if you will dispose of your compostable plastics in a composter, this is the better option.
Both types of plastic are sustainable and can protect the environment to an extent. Unfortunately, the makeup of biodegradable plastic does leave behind some toxic compounds when decomposing. Before making your choice think hard about why you need this plastics item and what you will do with it.
Consider whether or not you have access to a composter or whether you will likely dispose of the item in general waste. If you have a composter, don’t purchase biodegradable bags and expect to throw them in there. They will contaminate your green organics.
Just by reading this article, you are making a better choice to become more informed about your options and how they can benefit the environment.
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