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Post by Plocket on Sept 27, 2007 16:13:42 GMT
If I've got something labelled "will biograde in a biologically active landfill site within 6-12 months" does that mean the same will apply if I put it in my compost bin? Can I assume that it's SAFE to put in my compost bin because it's biodegradable?
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Post by Weeterrier on Sept 27, 2007 16:16:02 GMT
Do you mean the new plastic? Like I get my RSPB magazine wrapped in? I usually put it in with the compost, cut up small. It's made from some kind of starch I think.
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Post by Plocket on Sept 27, 2007 16:26:05 GMT
No these are wipes so they are a sort of fabric. Yes these new plastics are starch based, and totally excellent. I guess they work out too expensive for Supermarkets to use for their bags though  |
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Post by Chuckles on Sept 27, 2007 16:36:17 GMT
Good question P. Thinking logically I would say, as landfill is a bigger mass of waste it may break down quicker than in a standard garden composter. I found this www.worldwise.com/biodegradable.html just having a quick scout on google, the list near the end is quite interesting. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2007 16:38:13 GMT
Co-Ops bags are biodegradable, have been for a little while. So if a fairly little chain can do it why can't the big boys  Sara  |
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Post by Plocket on Sept 27, 2007 16:48:15 GMT
Wow that makes interesting reading Chuckles, and the list at the bottom is scary. I also find it scary that many things are labelled as biodegradeable when they aren't. My wipes are from Waitroes, and I might be naive but I do actually trust them, but part of my query is because the wipes have something on them - they are baby wipes. I'm sure the fibres are biodegradeable and from reading the stuff you linked to Chuckles I think the "stuff" is probably ok for a landfill site. I wonder if it's ok for my compost though? I think to be on the safeside I will bung them in the bin when they are used It is also interesting to note that although they are labelled as biodegradable, the wipes shouldn't be put down the loo!!! |
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Post by Chuckles on Sept 27, 2007 17:48:11 GMT
I think this is where some of the problems are P, companies seem to get away with so much. It could be a case of a product has to be a certain percentage bio to be able to label it as such. Labelling laws are very sketchy. It's like when something is labelled "Chicken Variety" it only needs to be 4% chicken as I recall.
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Post by grannyjanny on Sept 27, 2007 19:45:29 GMT
Sara I don't think the co-op are small. The manager of my local shop told me they are the biggest landowner in the country.
Janet
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Post by Plocket on Sept 28, 2007 7:08:11 GMT
Ah but they don't have to build on the land they own!!!
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Post by Chuckles on Sept 28, 2007 11:21:31 GMT
Going back to your wipes P, it's made me think a bit because I use baby wipes and other types of face wipes and do flush them  you'll probably find they say don't flush down the loo because they don't break up like loo paper. I dare bet too that whatever is on them is also 90% water so you are probably ok putting them in the compo bin. I'm going to compo mine now |
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Post by Plocket on Sept 28, 2007 11:23:38 GMT
Good thought Chuckles! I'll compost mine too ;D
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 29, 2007 8:18:37 GMT
I think most things like that will compost down eventually but the trouble will be that they will still be lingering about when you want to use the compost......it would be better, if space permits, to have more than one composter so you can have them degrade at different rates. Landfill sites would reach high enough temperatures much quicker because of the sheer mass of stuff in them. The trouble is, life's a bit too busy to start cutting up babywipes etc, especially with some of the 'material' they have on them after use......
I trust Waitrose much more than other supermarkets too...dunno why though....
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Post by Plocket on Sept 29, 2007 8:44:30 GMT
It would be lovely to have more than one composter, but I sieve mine and chuck the non-composted stuff back in the top to carry on. It's a good point about the temperatures too 4P - it's details like that which made me query putting the wipes into the composter Funny how people seem to trust Waitrose! ;D |
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totp
Assistant Gardener
Posts: 128
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Post by totp on Sept 29, 2007 10:00:54 GMT
I am not too sure that you can rely on landfill sites. I can't remember where it was, but I read this week that landfill sites are not good at degrading material. Somebody did some reseach into them and found that because of the lack of water and microbes, things in the land fill sites were not degrading. The researchers managed to dig out fruit that hadn't decomposed at all and newspapers that could still be read, despite being buried for a number of years. Incidentally, I have always put baby wipes in the compost and they seem to disappear readily enough.
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you'll probably find they say don't flush down the loo because they don't break up like loo paper. I dare bet too that whatever is on them is also 90% water so you are probably ok putting them in the compo bin. I'm going to compo mine now 