it would be far better if we could do away with compostable / biodegradable plastics in my opinion and concentrate on 3 or 4 polymers which could cover all our needs AND be recycled in this country. Packing peanuts come in different colors, which often indicate what they are made of or how they have been treated. It comes from renewable sources and doesn't contain harmful toxins, making it biodegradable and sustainable. The incinerator industry has tidal waves of greenwash flooding around which sound sensible to short term analyses which do not sufficiently consider the long term goals. Cons: Biodegradable starch-based packing peanuts may be a more environmentally-friendly option, but they do have their disadvantages. @Steve: Hi Steve, welcome to the site and thanks so much for your valuable contributions on this subject. If they're conventional Styrofoam peanuts, they will be mostly unaffected by the water. If disposed of correctly, packaging material made from cornstarch will break down into carbon dioxide and water within several months. Hi Nick! Warm water is most effective to dissolve these peanuts, but older or partially clogged pipes may be susceptible to even the smallest amount of plant matter. In simple terms, biodegradable items should begin to dissolve, synthetic or non-recyclable items will be fine. Not a bad problem to have. @Zoe: If you compost tea bags in a standard garden compost heap you probably wont notice the polyester skeleton because the food waste will be diluted by all the other stuff plants, cardboard etc. And recycling cornstarch products is tricky. The packaging is important to protecting materials and companies will use the best material for the job. now which is it? Can we really go this route? starch is . I would be extremely grateful if anyone could post some answers or even better email me some replies. The Japanese village of Kamikatsu is an inspiration and i wonder if they can do it, why cant we? To get rid of stains, especially blood stains, you can mix corn starch and water together to make a paste. Here are some tips on how to properly dispose of popcorn peanuts: 1. We dont use corn starch for all our packaging at the moment it is mainly used for products in our Food To Go range such as sandwich containers. Some properties of PLA are shown below: The PLA material can be made into a fiber or a film. They are effective at cushioning fragile items while being non-toxic and readily available. Just about all tea bags have a polyester additive in the paper so they can be heat sealed in manufacture. It is a shame that composting options were not more fully investigated by M&S before this cornstarch packaging hit the shelves. For materials like plastics, what can we do? Another simple one: yes, they're recyclable! In India, the price of plastic bags is 125 rupees/kg, whereas the price of corn starch bags is more than 325 rupees/kg. Most of us on here are not happy with incineration except for medical waste as dioxins are produced. I know many of our readers (myself included) are not pro incineration. Neil Brown, customer advisor at that time, wrote: The beauty of cornstarch packaging, is that you can dispose of it exactly how you like and the result will still be environmentally friendly. Both of these types of packing peanuts can technically be recycled if a facility accepts them. @Teresa: Thanks for the link Teresa; I do feel that biodegradable clears peoples conscience to just drop things down anywhere, yes many items are biodegradable *in the right conditions*, otherwise they hang around for years causing litter. As for the household waste households are the end consumers so if we didnt buy the stuff in the first place then industries would produce so much waste. I have a neighbor that spends hundreds of dollars on special soil, fertilizer, amendments, watering systems, etc. I have removed straws (we use metal reusable ones now) and my next step is the plastic cups. I usually do my supermarket shopping at Sainsburys, where the organic fruit and veg is wrapped in compostable plastic, which is made from maize, sugar cane or starch, and they say that it in tests it breaks down faster than a banana skin: http://www.j-sainsbury.com/cr/index.asp?pageid=69&year=archive§ion=3 However it does not say whether the tests were based on industrial or home composting, and in practice I have found large bits of this plastic that have not broken down. Green Cell Foam is NOT a recyclable material. (would love to hear your thoughts on this) As such, we do use plastics on many products and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Beeswax Packaging. Your best bet is to donate packing peanuts to a shipping store for reuse; you could ask if the store will provide you a discount in exchange. Biodegradable packing peanuts are often off-white or beige. We're in the process of re-evaluating our entire product experience, from the moment you open the box until you've finished feeding your dog, aiming to make every element as sustainable and delightful as conceivably . In this section MyZeroWaste publishes a series of original articles detailing methods, information and tips for, I want you to start throwing things in the bin #binthewipes, A shocking headline, right? The answer given to you wasnt particularly helpful. If disposed of correctly, packaging . This shows your food waste mantra to be a false premise. Is PLA an option? I hear you when you say that incineration might currently be the most suitable alternative to landfill for non recyclable and non compostable waste but we have to look at our future and once stuff has been burned, it is lost forever. NatureWorks is the world's largest producer of PLA, and a key partner to Vegware. White and pink packing peanuts are made of raw materials. Biodegradable packing peanuts are often off-white or beige. I dont think Antonio was being rude; He was just voicing his opinion. The whole point about why we talk about composting, waste/energy/greenhouse gas reductions etc. /any efforts on this anywhere yet? I think it was just that the Co-ops environmental policy meant that they listed the additive in the ingredients and that the other manufacturers dont bother. You will appreciate that as the materials are new, our knowledge is constantly increasing. They found that manufacturing 1,000 paper bags requires 3.4 times more energy than traditional plastic, and manufacturing compostable plastic bags requires 2.7 times more energy than conventional plastic. Those who live in warmer climates, or wet and warm climates often favor sending packing peanuts to the compost pile. Firstly, by switching to corn starch PLA, you can improve your brand by positioning yourself as a socially responsible and eco-friendly company. It is derived from corn as well as other starch-rich crops like sugar beets and wheat. Im not sure WHAT the answer is. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'thinkingsustainably_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thinkingsustainably_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');All this requires is dumping the peanuts on the moist and warm area and letting them degrade with time. I would love to hear your comments on this, and once again, thank you Mrs. Green on your work here, I really have enjoyed reading. PLA as mentioned is 100% biodegradable and compostable, fair enough, but when PLA breaks down, it produces CO2 and water, the water obviously harmless, but the CO2, in large quantities, as we know, can damage the atmosphere, (by the way, i am by no means implying that this is more damaging than landfill). Incinerators need a supply of burnable rubbish for their 25-30 year design life and so are directly antagonistic towards waste reduction measures. They use them for morning cereal or movie night popcorn for a few months until they crack somewhere. In addition to looking at the peanuts to decide what type of packing you have, you can run a piece of the material underwater. Recycled products use less water and less energy than their brand-new cousins. However, the real issue around packaging is that what the consumer sees as a waste of money is a real cost saving measure for the growers and retailers. for his tomatoes. Increasing consumer awareness of the impact of plastics in the environment has encouraged manufacturers, brands and retailers to launch a large number of new plastic materials onto the market. Or have you written to them already? The first step for a recycler is to compact all EPS foam together into blocks. The goal is to make sure they are clean . Technically, white and pink packing peanuts are recyclable, even though most curbside recycling programs do not accept them. This would stop the otherwise inevitable waste result. If the material is deposited in a landfill without the proper oxygen and light, the PLA material may not decompose for decades. The packing peanuts (you may know them as popcorn) used to protect shipped materials from damage are made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), which most of us mistakenly confuse with the Dow Chemical Company trademarked name Styrofoam. Simultaneously, it muddies the waters with promises of apparently clean, useful solutions and relatively painless keep right on consuming subliminal messages which unfortunately will prove to be red herrings and a tragic waste of time and effort and will, in due course, end up with the planet and us broken at the bottom of the crevasse. (my bolding and italics this surprised me; you?). Here are a few ways to reuse and repurpose old non-biodegradable packing peanuts: Polystyrene has been called the least eco-friendly chemical material out there because it takes 500 or more years to decompose in landfills. We believe this is due to the customers not being able to achieve ideal composting temperatures for a sufficiently long enough period. Am I pro landfill? Ive been wondering about the teabags for like, forever! Polystyrene is listed as a #6 plastic by the Environmental Protection Agency, but packing peanuts present several challenges when it comes to recycling. PLA in small quantities on cardboard does not represent an issue for cartonboard recycling mills Have you asked the mills directly too? Also, I dont know if you heard about the UK hazardous waste scandal in Africa, i have posted the link to an article below, but if our local councils are engagng in this type of waste disposal, I am somewhat disillusioned with what they are claiming is actually being recycled in the first place, a somewhat pesimistic outlook I know. I have some concerns and was wondering if anyone could help: I cant use toughend plastic as most drinks are takeaway, similar to a festival. I noticed a while ago that Coop tissues, in addition to wood pulp have a wet strength additive. Ifpeanuts are green in tintthis indicates the material is made with 70% recycled material as well.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thinkingsustainably_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thinkingsustainably_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); All plant-basedpacking peanuts should dissolve with water and moisture. However, as a food retailer we must consider the protection of food first and foremost. As an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. How does lighter packaging reduce transport costs? The cornstarch packaging is created from fermented sugar; that's why the cornstarch packaging is biodegradable, rendering it an easy, planet-friendly . By recycling your used oil, you help keep our water supply clean. From reading everyones comments it seems maybe not. Cut the tray into 1.25 cm (1/2 inch) strips. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It would still be great to know about all teabags & tissues, & ideally making all manufacturers report all ingredients & processes (total transparency) would be best!! There is a lack of rigour in recycling practice due to the development stage it still occupies. @Antonio Pachowko: Hi Antonio, I understand there are emissions laws, but to be honest, many corporations have so much money that they just pay fines or they hire the best lawyers and get out of things. 3. @Chris: HI Chris, Do you never tire of the plastic packaging industry justifying their wasteful practices, by the preposterous claim that the material is to reduce food waste for the consumer. That situation will not last indefinitely. Compostable materials leave no toxic substances or pollutants in the soil when they break down. This should be your target as well. My take is that the problem lies with our society. Within 15 minutes, they should be completely dissolved. A blog about how we as a family reduced waste. The materials can't be recycled - they need to go to specific composting facilities to be broken down in the right way. Just like regular plastic, our sugar cane PE packaging can be recycled with other PE plastics at the kerb side through Local Authorities who usually collect plastic bottles and tubes. A measure designed to hold producers of packaging products sold in New Jersey accountable for the costs associated with recycling and disposing of their material will . Sustainable food packaging is about reducing the environmental footprint of packed food. Some United Parcel Service (UPS) locations, for example, accept "clean, foam packaging peanuts and bubble cushioning for reuse." The Zero Waste perspective is to aim to reduce waste, mainly plastic in my experience, by using reusable /refillable systems. Unfortunately, biodegradable packing peanuts tend to cost a bit more than expanded polystyrene and weigh more as well, which increases shipping costs slightly. they have good functional properties and come in a range of types that are suitable for both the chill chain, the microwave and the conventional oven. Cornstarch-based packaging, in particular, has seen a remarkable surge in interest over the last decade or so. Sorry I have gone off on a little bit of a tangent there, basically, what I am saying is that whilst I 100% whole heartedly agree with you that a zero waste disposal technique is what is without doubt the best form of waste management, I cannot see it happening in the near future and therefore alternative methods must be devised. The question is what and where. . However, they're not always processed in food-safe facilities and shouldn't be eaten as food. You wont reduce food waste by better plastic packaging; youll reduce it by getting back to the root of the problem which is lack of understanding by householders and corrupt values in our society. From neighborhood Facebook pages to your local playgroup, ask if anyone is moving soon and let them know you have packing peanuts to cushion their fragile items in transit. Computer and shredded paper. I am very interested in waste disposal and the methods available for certain materials. Well not especially, but if there were literally two choices; landfill or incineration I would opt for landfill. Packing Paper. In the mid-1980s, another bio-based plastic appeared on grocery store shelves: bags made from polyethylene and cornstarch that were said to be biodegradable. Plastic air cushion bags can be recycled by deflating them. Envelopes, including those with a window. Further to my e-mail on Wednesday, I have now heard back from our Packaging Technologist. Traditional peanuts are made out of a foam called polystyrene. The often . the color of peanuts indicates the recycled content. I accept that EfW will be pushed hard by the waste industry as the best option from their perspective but the public will continue to resist the technology and planning officers proposals will continue to be rejected by councils, concerned about the associated increased morbidity downwind , and many other relevant matters. Instead, run under water outside with a hose or at least inside with garbage disposal as a backup. all over the world, the road to consumerfriendly and ecologically safe packaging has started to have a real impact, encouraged by ever more tougher recycling rules in countries all over the world. As a result, you can expect an increase in overall marketability because you'll effectively be able to attract . Innovative sustainable packaging aims to reduce food waste and loss reduction by improving food quality, as well as food safety issues such as food borne diseases and food chemical contamination. Recycled EPS can be used to make everything from new EPS to picture frames and rulers. If your Local Authority doesn't collect plastic packaging, check with Terracycle for your nearest collection point: https://www.terracycle.com . Professor Roland clift once argued that paper should be burnt because you cannot recycle it forever and the deinking process produces waste, which has to be dealt with. The issues with PLA are well documented but the availability of PLA packaging materials is the first step in reducing packaging waste and helping the environment. Its thin and easy to pick out. The exact material composition will dictate how fast this happens, but the process is generally the same. Its more popular on the continent than in Britain because charity shops are less common abroad. Would TOTALLY sign that petition!!/. This overlap is due in part to a lack of legal regulation over what the term, "biodegradable," actually means. However, you can turn old packing peanuts into new products. There are other technologies (Pyrolysis and Gasification) which are also being trialled though well behind AD developments. Basically, I suspect all facial tissues have these additives, almost certainly toilet tissue and kitchen towel roll too. These identify the type of plastic resin used to make the item by providing a 'Resin Identification Code'. Synthetic polymer materials are produced from petroleum, a non-sustainable item that can be expensive depending on the price of oil. 3. The argument is not so clear cut and a range of technologies is required including incineration (well they have been do this with corpses for a number of years). Green Cell Foam is an environmentally friendly and natural packaging alternative. hope that helps. Green Cell Foam. Happily, this technology is developing fast, after much talk and little action in previous years. if it breaks down after 70 days, how long a shelf life can products have in it? Eight ways to enjoy a guilt free coffee fix! If milk-o-mats exist & have proven successful, why not have other things refillable or in returnable packaging too? For many of us the concept of using compostable bags, made with corn-starch, is fairly new. Even if you cant find a way to recycle packing peanuts or send them back to be reused for shipping purposes, there are many ways to upcycle them. Cornstarch packaging. Remove any stuck-on food, rinse, and put in your blue box. The information provided to you by M&S is quite accurate in its assessment of PLA. While this material has waned in popularity, it is still used by many to ship fragile items. The 7% toxic fly-ash is even worse. external link. We dont have to choose between landfill or incineration because its up to the manufacturers only to manufacture and package with plastics that can be recycled and councils to collect a wider range of materials for recycling. I would love to know what you think and if you have any further questions to put to Marks and Spencer about their packaging; I found their response very interesting and it bought up some key points for me. This immediately severely limits their applications. This is great information, thanks. Recently @secateur.me.baby posted a series of pictures to social media . Partly because I like them, but mostly because I can recycle/compost 98% of the packaging. The first thing you need to know about disposal is what kind of packing peanuts you are working with. But Annie Chun makes more that a few tasty soup and noodle dishes that I keep on hand. 90% paper and corn starch. I think it might depend on how its made, any additives etc. There is currently an awful lot of faux-sustainability thinking in the corporate planning arena and this is largely due to a failure to realise that business-almost-as-usual, but with a few bright green knobs stuck on, will simply not cut the sustainability mustard. The starch is isolated from the source crop, and dextrose (a sugar) is then processed from the starch and fermented to lactic acid. This product can be polymerized to create PLA, which is then processed into cups . So dont stress if you get a box of packing peanuts it may be easier to dispose of than you think. We compost approximately 1500 pounds of scraps from the kitchen every year. Unfortunately, it is the high standard the consumer now expects which is why plastic is still being used in such high abundance. We continue to research Home Compostable materials, but we have decided, in light of recent learnings, and in order to provide real clarity on this complex subject, only to use Home Compostable materials for the time being. This latter is another recent change which would have been unthinkable even 6 months ago. So if you are against incinerator then you must be pro-landfilling. However some bits have so I dont know if its just my compost bin (it is in the shade and so it might not get hot enough). That is the fact of life. & the other tissues/paper towels etc too! Cornstarch products are preferable mainly because: However, companies are becoming aware of the environmental impact of polystyrene, such as the inability of the material to biodegrade. Made up of fermented sugars, this packaging can quickly decompose, unlike plastics. Myth: Containers must be squeaky clean in order to be recycled. & together better alternatives could be found.. Hi Layla, one thing about transportation costs is that if you run a car, it is said that reducing load, by taking things out of the boot for example, increases fuel economy. It can be made from any sugar, such as corn starch, cassava, sugar cane, or sugar beet. However, in the last few years, more sustainable materials have been developed, which is good for the environment but confusing for consumers. Unfortunately, you cant un-expand foam plastic, and that limits the recycling market, so reuse or donation are the best options for this material. It should also address the issue of plastic waste, as well as . Starch-based packing peanuts were developed in the early 1990s. Can cornstarch be recycled? Another highly common method to dispose of biodegradable packing peanuts is to run them under water and let them dissolve. Its great you did follow up (as we can see what can happen..) & by now they also have more info than last year! The bowl from Annie Chun break down real nice. Dumping your clutter in the homes of friends and family is not an option either as it then becomes their problem to either find space for it or get rid of it. If you are unable to reuse, recycle or compost the item, place it in the garbage. I have been putting biodegradable plastic, teabags and tissues in my compost for the past year. Cornstarch Packaging. Next, it is shredded into pellets. The rest of the answer followed duly, a week later, as promised. I hope that response has been helpful and please do feel free to conact me with any further questions.. Compostable means you can instantly toss these items on thecompost pile and are regulatedbyUS Standard ASTM D6400-99 andEuropean Standard EN 13432, although it can be hard to tell the difference.
