Do you think that if you use compostable biodegradable plastic bags, you are not being environmentally friendly? Think again.
Compostable biodegradable plastic bags are not exactly what you believe. And if you are talking about compostable biodegradable plastic bags, they are a whole other story and are actually good for the environment. Hence, in this article, we are going to be focusing on compostable biodegradable plastic bags. Biodegradable plastic bags offer most of us a very comfortable, fuzzy, and warm feeling that does not send us on a guilt trip. After all, we all want to help the environment at the end of the day.
In fact, most business organizations opt for purchasing biodegradable bags with good intentions. It is good for the environment, it can help you contribute to a clean environment and even make your business go green. And rightly so, here are some surprising secrets of compostable biodegradable plastic bags that will only help you promote your business and curb your second thoughts if using these is really safe for the environment:
- A great percentage of biodegradable plastic bags eventually does get recycled.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) needs its landfills to be completely blocked out against sunlight, moisture, and air – the most crucial elements required for complete biodegradation. This means that your plain plastic bags will simply sit in a landfill without getting decomposed at all which defeats the entire purpose of these plastic bags. And even though a lot of companies offer “eco-friendly” plastic bags with a biodegradable “additive”, which is basically a special film added on the bags that helps them in decomposing completely, the claim still needs some research and has been challenged time and again. Until further research is done, we have no proof that this biodegradable additive really works. Only use high-quality, compostable, biodegradable plastic bags.
- Compostable Biodegradable plastic bags can be recycled.
When it comes to plastic objects, when they are manufactured, they are labeled into different categories. You can check these on your plastic objects. It is generally represented as a number. The category or number for biodegradable plastic bags is 7 which would mean that cannot be recycled with other plastic items that are generally labeled No. 1 or No. 2. This is done to avoid any contamination in the entire recyclable load since the chemical composition of all these plastics is completely different. Hence biodegradable plastic bags, although separately, can be recycled.
- Compostable, biodegradable plastic bags are environment-friendly
When everyday plastic bags end up in landfills, the decomposition process takes place at a very slow rate since there is no exposure to moisture, light, and air. As a result, the gas methane starts to release into the atmosphere. The fact is that when compared with carbon dioxide, methane can contribute up to 20 times more than carbon dioxide to the greenhouse effect over a 100-year period. This means that with the release of methane, we are essentially harming the environment more than we would by releasing carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas. The simple solution is to use compostable biodegradable plastic bags. Even though the terms biodegradable and compostable are generally used interchangeably, there still are some fundamental differences between the two.
- Compostable biodegradable plastic bags are regulated as per industry standards
Simply put, compostable biodegradable plastic bags are required to meet the industry-standard which is regulated and approved by the government. You can just take a look for the indication of BPI-certified which stands for the Biodegradable Products Institute. Since they are certified, you can be assured that your compostable biodegradable plastic bags are performing the same function they promised. These bags will enable compostable material, such as biodegradable waste, leaves, yard clippings, nutshells, coffee grinds, lettuce, to help them compost naturally. Not only will your biodegradable plastic bags get composted easily, but they will also be able to help your other compostable waste.
- They are completely compostable.
The fact is you just cannot throw a plastic bag in your compost pile and believe that it will decompose. Plastic bags need a very high temperature to decompose. The temperature of your compost pile will just not get hot enough. However, when it comes to compostable biodegradable plastic bags, they can easily turn into compost which means that not only are you helping the environment but you are essentially reducing your own waste as well.
Conclusion
One of the main benefits of going for biodegradable options is that they can help you and your business go green. However, the entire purpose of using biodegradable plastic bags can get defeated if they are not really getting decomposed. On the other hand, with the best compostable and biodegradable plastic bags, you are essentially helping the environment. Your compost has the ability to significantly reduce the expulsion of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Compost can even help your soil in absorbing carbon and can help it in getting enriched. Not only will your compostable biodegradable plastic bags break down themselves but they will even help your other biodegradable waste in completely decomposing. So if you want your home or even your business in going green, you should opt for compostable biodegradable plastic bags.
