Compostable Poly Only Helps the Environment If It Goes in the Landfill

Here’s something you might not realize: compostable poly can actually do more harm than good.

It’s not that the poly itself isn’t fully compostable–it is. The challenge is just that when improperly disposed of, it can actually cause bigger problems in the long run. And many people don’t even realize why.

So, in this article, we’ll describe why compostable poly needs to be disposed of in the right way as well as how you can make sure to do it properly.

The Challenges with Compostable Poly

While the idea behind compostable poly is incredible, there are a few issues with it in reality.

The first is that it’s challenging to acquire. But secondly–and more importantly–it runs the risk of contaminating the entire recycling process.

That’s because, given the rise of recycling–which is good for the environment and creates new products in a sustainable way–many people try to recycle biodegradable materials without even realizing there’s a difference, let alone why it matters.

This is problematic because biodegradable materials contain additives that help it break down over time. But, if those additives get into something recycled, it can cause serious problems.

For example, if biodegradable materials, and the additives contained in them, end up mixed in with recycled materials that go on to become PVC piping or deck-building materials, those items run the risk of losing their structural integrity over time and could collapse.

This is counterproductive to the entire purpose of recycling and, worse yet, could result in injuries or damage.

So, while biodegradable poly is a great step towards better caring for the environment, it’s equally important that it’s handled correctly so it doesn’t defeat the entire purpose.

How to Properly Dispose of Compostable Poly

As consumers, it’s vital to make sure you’re not including biodegradable materials in your recycling. The problem is our recycling intuition tells us not to throw out plastics.

This means that we all have a responsibility to ensure we’re separating recyclable poly from the biodegradable kind and–even though it feels wrong–throwing away the compostable poly. Because it’s only able to do what it’s supposed to do when it ends up in a landfill.

If you’d like to learn more about our compostable poly products or best practices for disposing of it, get in touch with us today. Our team of experts is here to help.