In 2023, the landscape of build-your-own fast-casual lunches will feature a plethora of gourmet options. From wild Alaskan salmon to harissa honey chicken, cauliflower shawarma to seasonal roasted zucchini, and topped with preserved lemon vinaigrette, za’atar bread crumbs, creamy vegan feta, and skhug, the possibilities are endless. However, regardless of your choice, one thing will remain constant: these delectable creations will be served in compostable bowls.
As an office worker spoiled (and burdened) by the abundance of overpriced meal options, I have consumed my fair share of food from compostable containers, accompanied by compostable utensils. These utensils, with the word “COMPOSTABLE” embossed on them or colored green as a reminder of their eco-friendliness, leave little room for subtlety. The rise of compostable packaging has been hard to ignore. You may have even received leftovers in a compostable container, used a compostable produce bag for groceries, or sipped coffee through a compostable straw. Compostable packaging has experienced significant growth. According to David Henkes, a food-industry analyst at Technomic, 7 percent of all food-service packaging was compostable in 2021, with its share likely increasing since then, particularly in major cities. Notable companies like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Cava, Sweetgreen, Panera Bread, Taco Bell, and Frito-Lay have also adopted compostable packaging.
Although compostable packaging is easily recognizable, compost bins to dispose of it are not. I, like many others, have inadvertently thrown compostable utensils and soggy fiber packaging into the regular kitchen trash bin, treating them just like normal plastic. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of compostable packaging and plastic actually undergoes composting. Despite the presence of composting bins in restaurants, homes, and office buildings, most places lack the composting infrastructure required to handle this type of waste. While these products have the potential to be more environmentally-friendly than traditional plastic, compostable plastic is still essentially plastic.
Plastic possesses qualities that are both advantageous and detrimental. Derived from fossil fuels, it is cost-effective, moldable, and extremely durable. In fact, most of the plastic ever produced still exists today. Compostable plastic, on the other hand, is created by chemically altering plant sugars such as corn starch and sugar cane to mirror the properties of traditional plastic. The more delicate compostable bowls are typically molded from bamboo and other plant fibers. The promise of these products is similar: while a plastic fork or bowl may only be used for a few minutes before remaining in the environment indefinitely, a compostable version gradually degrades over time, similar to an apple core discarded in the woods, albeit at a slower pace.
However, compostable plastic is only truly compostable under specific conditions. As Sarah-Jeanne Royer, an oceanographer at Hawaii Pacific University explains, compostable plastic requires access to a proper composting facility, different from the composting done in a backyard setting. Fruit and vegetable waste can transform into soil within weeks, while meat takes a bit longer. Eventually, compostable plastic should also break down, as Frederick Michel Jr., a compost expert at Ohio State University affirms. However, a study showed that compostable plastic bags buried in soil for three years were still durable enough to carry a full load of groceries. Royer immersed a type of compostable plastic in seawater and found no signs of degradation even after 428 days.
Commercial composting facilities expedite this decomposition process to just a few months by utilizing machinery that optimizes composting conditions. The bugs and microbes responsible for breaking down organic matter generate heat in the process, and composting facilities routinely reach temperatures of 160 degrees as the waste decomposes. However, these conditions are not replicable in a home compost pile.
Unfortunately, finding a composting facility is a challenge. The entire country reportedly has only about 200 large-scale food-waste composting plants, with approximately three-fifths of them accepting compostable packaging. This information comes from not-yet-published research by BioCycle. In practice, only a few cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and parts of New York have compost pickup services, transporting compost to these specialized plants. The rest of the population is left in composting deserts, as Michel describes it. For example, in Ohio, backyard composting is the only viable option. Cities as large as Atlanta lack composting plants within a reasonable driving distance, and the state of Alabama does not possess a single facility equipped to process compostable plastic.
Companies utilizing compostable products are aware of these limitations. For instance, when I inquired about Cava’s use of compostable bowls, the initial response from the spokesperson was a denial. However, after multiple emails, the spokesperson acknowledged that Cava’s bowls are predominantly made of bagasse, a material derived from sugar cane and compostable. They also addressed the limited availability of composting facilities, which affects how Cava communicates about their packaging.
Ultimately, companies providing single-use items should strive to transition to compostable alternatives. Converting a single fork back into biomass is a significantly greater contribution to biodegradation than the majority of plastic in human history. With adequate infrastructure, replacing traditional plastic with compostable plastic on a large scale could have a profound positive impact. The equivalent of a truckload of plastic ends up in the ocean every minute, causing harm to wildlife and polluting soil and water. Replacing it with something even slightly less permanent would be a step in the right direction.
However, if compostable plastic ends up in landfills, the equation changes. These products may take over a century to biodegrade in such conditions. Additionally, certain types of compostable plastic can release methane, a greenhouse gas that is significantly more potent than carbon dioxide, in anaerobic landfill conditions.
Compostable plastic may also have unintended consequences. The push to reduce single-use plastic has prompted many individuals to reconsider their use of plastic plates, bowls, and straws. Compostable products inherently convey to consumers that they can use these items guilt-free. This has led marketers to inquire about the potential of compostable plastic. However, all certified compostable products in the U.S. are labeled to indicate that they should be composted in municipal and industrial composting facilities. The fine print can be easily missed amidst the various green colors and brand names. EarthChoice, Eco-Baggeez, Greenware, and Responsible Products are just a few examples. Unlike their plastic counterparts, many compostable products do not serve secondary purposes. While a plastic takeout container can be reused as Tupperware and a plastic bag can serve as a garbage liner, most compostable alternatives fall short.
Both compostable plastic and America’s composting network will undoubtedly improve over time. Diverting compostable items from landfills is crucial for reducing emissions, prompting the federal government to invest $90 million in composting initiatives. Many companies are also striving to develop better compostable products, including protein powder plastic, banana peel plastic, avocado plastic, and seaweed plastic. However, striking the right balance between durability and compostability is a challenging task. Nobody wants a box of spoons that rot after just three weeks in their cupboard.
If you find yourself needing to purchase compostable plastic products, it is essential to differentiate between various options. Look for items certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), and whenever possible, seek those with TÜV OK Compost Home certification. This European standard ensures that the plastic will disintegrate even in home compost piles. It is also advisable to avoid products made of polylactic acid (PLA), as this material poses challenges…
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