The Ecoist: The Breakdown on Compostables in Landfills
Posted by Eco-Products on Sep 24th 2012
Do compostable products breakdown in landfills?
Compostable items are designed to be composted in a compost heap only. Composting is a very specific process which does not occur in landfills. Microorganisms, carbon, water, oxygen and nitrogen are all essential parts of the compost process – and these factors need to be present in the right circumstances (such as a compost pile) for composting to occur.
If compostable products are placed in the typical well-managed, anaerobic (air-locked or capped) landfill and deprived of oxygen and micro-organisms, then the ability of the compostable products to decompose will be severely restricted. Without oxygen, composting will not happen. Composting only happens in compost settings where oxygen is abundant. This is true of all biodegradable materials placed in a landfill, including paper, yard waste and food waste. Organic matter stays entombed in the landfill, and only slowly breaks down anaerobically – making methane and other gases. As far as we know, PLA is stable in the landfill and does not breakdown because the conditions for compost do not exist inside a sealed landfill.
As a consumer, Eco-Products recommends being wary of any manufacturer making claims that their products will “biodegrade” quickly in an air-locked landfill. Eco-Products clearly labels and certifies all our compostable products to help consumers and composters alike, and we do not claim our products break down in landfills.
Our very own Sustainability Maven serves up a delicious nugget of green geekery every other week. If this little taste leaves you hungry for more, you can always cruise over to the Greenology and/or Training sections at EcoProducts.com for a full helping. If you have a question you can’t find the answer to you can email her at sustainabilitymaven@ecoproducts.com