Buzz Worthy – “Compostability”
Which foodservice waste items qualify as “compostable?”
The answer depends on who will handle the composting – keep in mind that many commercial composters handle yard waste but cannot or will not accept food. Those that do handle food waste will usually accept all food waste (pre-consumer and post-consumer) as well as plant-based compostable disposables (e.g. items made from plant materials such as corn, potato, cellulose, soy and sugar).
These waste streams should be free from contamination, and any disposable ware should be BPI-certified as compostable. The BPI “Compostable Label” indicates an item meets one of two science-based ASTM standards. To qualify as compostable, the item must break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass at the same rate as paper. The final product needs to disintegrate to established levels, cannot exceed toxicity limits and must be able to support plant life. Some commercial composters have more stringent requirements than the BPI label, so check your compostable disposable choices with your composting partner to be certain.
Keep in mind: just because an item claims it is “biodegradable” does not mean it is “compostable.”
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