Green FAQs

1. What does “biodegradable” mean?

A biodegradable material is a material that can be broken down by living organisms, mainly microbes but also other decomposers such as worms or fungi.  Biodegradation can occur aerobically, in the presence of oxygen, or anaerobically, without oxygen.  In both cases, the final product includes carbon dioxide gas; solids that the decomposers cannot use such as lignin, cellulose, and other organic and inorganic solids present in the original biodegradable material; and water.

Biodegradation occurs naturally.  In a forest, animals die and leaves fall.  Decomposers begin their work, and over time, they biodegrade the organic material to humus.  Humus is organic matter that has reached a point of stability, that is, it won’t break down any further. 

Humus:

1. feeds and maintains high and healthy levels of organisms within the soil
2. provides greater aeration of the soil because of the crumb structure of the soil
3. buffers extreme pH
4. holds moisture and can better withstand drought conditions    

2. What is composting and what are the benefits?

Composting is biodegradation under special, usually aerobic, conditions.  The goal of composting is to create a stable humus-like product that can be used in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture.  Compost has all the same benefits as humus (see above) and acts as a soil conditioner, fertilizer, and natural pesticide.  Compost is often also used in erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and landfill cover. 

3. What are the exact differences between “biodegradable” and “compostable”?

There are many different definitions of the words “biodegradable” and “compostable.”  Unlike the word “organic,” the US government hasn’t strictly defined these terms.  There are certain standards and companies that have begun to define the word “compostable.”  One main difference between the two terms is that the standards defining “compostable” require that there is no toxic residue.  This makes a lot of sense considering that the compost product will depend primarily on the composition of the starting materials.  The second is that “compostable” materials do have a time range in which they must break down.   

4. Can EATware and Bagasse be disposed of in a landfill?

Yes, any of our materials can be disposed of in a landfill.  But no, they will not biodegrade there.  Landfills are built to ensure that no organic materials biodegrade.  Organic materials biodegrading in landfill creates biogas, carbon dioxide and methane, emissions and contributes to the formation of leachate, contaminated water that may pollute the soil and surrounding water sources.

We strongly endorse composting of bagasse, EATware, paper/PLA and PLA containers.  Not only does it reduce the amount of material going to landfill, but it also recycles scraps to be put to good use.  If your local waste management program does not accept green waste, please look into home composting, such as vermi-composting, or if you are a restaurant or business, into a private composting facility.  There are many benefits to composting.  In some areas, the cost of composting may be less than the price to haul away garbage.

However, keep in mind, even if the products are not being composted, they still have other environmental benefits such as being made from renewable resources, free of petroleum, or tree free.

Click to see EATware and Bagasse Products

5. How do I find a composting facility in my area?

Please go to www.findacomposter.com.  This list is not endorsed by IFN Green. 

6. Why we should help reduce plastic waste?

The average American uses about 300 to 700 plastic bags a year and about 40 billion plastic utensils.  Although recycling of items such as plastic bags is increasing, the percentage of plastic recycling is astonishingly low.  Traditional plastics are made from petroleum which is a non-renewable resource.  Also, plastic litter is extremely detrimental to the environment.  Plastic is the largest component of ocean trash.  There is a mass of trash twice the size of Texas floating around the Pacific gyre called The Pacific Garbage Patch.  Even plastics that degrade to microscopic sizes retain their chemical properties, including some toxicity that harms marine life.  Also, marine life, such as sea turtles, sea birds, fish, and sea lions may die by consuming plastic, getting tangled in it, or indirectly through bioaccumulation of toxins.

7. Why Go Green? Slideshow