Comments on: Compostable Packaging vs. Biodegradable: Which Is More Eco-Friendly?

By: Jumbalaya

Jumbalaya — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 06:13:23 +0000

Hello,

We have a very small business and are trying to find biodegradeable packaging for our vegan, organic cookies and treats….any leads on actual products?

Thanks!!!
Jumba

By: Valerie Jenner

Valerie Jenner — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:34:57 +0000

Tricia,

The PLA at the co-op is completely compostable, no worries. It is also vetted for fair trade as well. It was part of our zero waste pilot. Glad to hear it worked in the home compost.

Jeremy,
Wonder how I got you confused, thanks for reading the blog.

By: Tricia

Tricia — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:00:09 +0000

This is very informative – I didn’t know the definitions behind all those terms. I’m disappointed to learn that biodegradable food packaging can leave toxic residues – bleh.

I’d been wondering if the compostable plastic used at the People’s Food Co-op required industrial facilities, but I put one in my backyard composter and it disappeared pretty quickly!

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:43:54 +0000

Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments. Just one clarification, Valerie: we’re a separate enterprise from the Tea Haus on Fourth Ave.

Great materials and info on your blog!

By: Valerie Jenner

Valerie Jenner — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:00:29 +0000

I have extensive research and documentation I did regarding biodegradable packaging and compostable including the US and European actual standards. All this research was done for the Zero Waste Pilot we did over three years at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. When we took the compostable bioware to Tuthill farm to compost it could not be found after only five days. We were expecting weeks/months. This is an extensive report: for more details please go to my blog: http://zerotrashtalk.blogspot.com/2010/04/biodegradable-vs-compostable-plastic.html and the 2009 report is listed on the street art fairs website: http://www.artfair.org/main/main.jsp?id=20
Really glad the tea house is using this material for their packaging. You are doing an excellent job.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:01:21 +0000

Yes, compostable and biodegradable are different. the most important thing to me, personally, is using non-synthetic, non plastic packaging, also not resource intensive, which will not be around in a hundred or more years, like plastic or plastic/(mined)aluminum pachaging. Thanks for your efforts in this direction!

By: Erica

Erica — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:38:15 +0000

I love that you’re doing this! I hate to throw anything away, and that fact that your packaging is not just staying out of my garbage can but actually helping my garden grow puts it way ahead of just recyclable!

Time to go turn the compost pile.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:37:54 +0000

Hi Dinesh!

Thank you for your thoughtful comments and suggestion! Yes, we’re considering making an application for the European certification (OK Compost HOME) for our new packaging. I’m not familiar with similar certifications in the US, but certainly welcome such…

Please, keep the suggestions coming!

By: dinesh

dinesh — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:21:33 +0000

Really appreciate y’all sharing this information. I run a green buying co-operative and one of the things we help small businesses purchase is food packaging.

There’s just a monstrous knowledge gap though when it comes to these products and most folks have no idea that ‘biodegradable’ is essentially a meaningless term when it comes to food packaging, and as you state has no requirements with respect to “time for degredation” or “eco-toxicity”.

I’m curious, have you looked into any certifications for ‘backyard compostability’. I read about a certification the other day for it in Europe, but I haven’t heard of one in the states.