In Part 1 of this series, we discussed how the term “bioplastics” can refer to many different things, including (but not limited to) biodegradable or compostable plastics. In Part 2, we dove into the difference between “biodegradable” and “compostable,” what happens in a composting environment, and the compostability certifications. In Part 3 of this series, we’ll cover the appropriate uses of compostable packaging.
When does it make sense to use compostable packaging?
The primary reason to use compostable packaging is to help deliver food waste and other organic matter to composting facilities. Food waste in landfills is one of the main sources of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that has about 20-80 times the power of carbon dioxide. Diverting food waste from landfills is a key intervention to limiting climate change, and compostable packaging can help do that by being the “vehicle” that food scraps ride along with on their way to composting facilities. Composting facilities that accept compostable packaging are able to bring in more food waste than those that don’t.
Compostable packaging should be reserved for packaging that is:
*Used to serve prepared food or contains frozen or raw food
*Likely to deliver food to a composting facility
*Food-contact packaging that is not readily recyclable
*Often disposed of with food waste (e.g., produce stickers)
*Fiber-based and is likely to become food-soiled
When should we not use compostable packaging?
Compostable packaging should not be used for the following applications, with some exceptions:
A package that can be made of easily recycled materials
Recycling beats composting both from an accessibility and circularity point of view. From an access perspective, about 91% of U.S. residents have access to recycling,i whereas only about 11% of the U.S. population has access to a composting program that accepts compostable packaging.ii From a circularity standpoint, in a truly circular economy, materials are kept at their “highest and best use” for as many cycles as possible. This means, if possible, keeping a material functioning in close to its current state without having to “downcycle” it. For example, a PET bottle serves its highest and best use if it’s turned into a PET bottle again, rather than being downcycled into another unrecyclable product. Similarly, paper can be recycled to make paper again, and while composting it is often an option, recycling it to make new paper keeps it at its highest and best use for longer.iii
Packaging that is part of a suite of recyclable packaging products
Our goal is to make decisions as easy as possible for consumers when they’re discarding a set of packaging. The ideal packaging system is either entirely recyclable or entirely compostable. If the package system has a mix of both recyclable and compostable items, it is less convenient for consumers to separate items. For example, an e-commerce shipment that comes in a cardboard box ideally just has curbside-recyclable packaging inside so that the consumer can place all items (box, void fill, etc.) in the recycling bin. Another example would be food-service ware that’s entirely compostable. Ideally, a clamshell tray, napkins, and cutlery would all be compostable so the consumer can place everything in one bin.
more at: https://www.atlanticpkg.com/2023/07/best-uses-of-compostable-packaging/