01/01/2024
If the 'compostable' serviceware isn't certified 'home compostable' and it has any bioplastics in it then it's just not going to get composted. I've composted, vermicomposted (worms) and processed with Black Soldier Fly Larvae so much organic waste from events in the past and the bioplastic lines in the cups always end up floating around in the finished compost like little ghost cups. It takes serious commercial composting processing to break them down but almost all commercial composters don't want anything to do with this waste stream - it's very difficult to ensure that organic waste stream where the compostable cups would be collected and transported does not contain *any* non-compostable cups. It can be done but it requires absolute vigilance with the vendors on site to not bring the wrong products in and also absolute vigilance to keep patrons from carrying in the very same coffee cups purchased from outside the venue.
So in my opinion compostable coffee cups in particular aren't a viable solution - even if it's 'compostable' if there isn't a rock solid plan for *who* and *how* it's going to be composted then it's going to end up in landfill with all of the rest of the single use products. Reuse is the real solution we need to race towards as fast as we can.
Sold and marketed as environmentally friendly, compostable food packaging has been exploding in popularity in Australia. But is it any better than the plastic it's replaced?
