We all know composting is a great way to recycle materials and reduce landfill output. But what about cling wrap? After all, it’s made of plastic and paper. Is it compostable? In this post, we will explore the compostability of cling wrap and answer some questions you may have about the product. From whether or not it’s biodegradable to how long it takes to break down, read on to find out more about this popular packaging material.
What is compostable cling wrap?
Compostable Cling Wrap is a brand-new product that is made from plant-based materials. This wrap is similar to traditional plastic cling wrap but is 100% compostable and biodegradable.
Compostable Cling Wrap is made from natural plant-based resins instead of petroleum. It can be used just like regular cling wrap in the kitchen and on the go.
The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) has tested and approved Compostable Cling Wrap. This means it will break down in a commercial compost facility (or your home compost pile). The material used to make Compostable Cling Wrap will not harm the environment, once it has been broken down into its basic chemical components by microorganisms in an oxygen-free environment ,like a landfill or compost pile.
Compostable vs. biodegradable
Biodegradable is a term used for products that disintegrate into natural compounds. Compostable means the same thing, but composting involves microorganisms’ decay.
Compostable cling wraps are made from corn-based plastics that are biodegradable under certain conditions:
The wrap has to be exposed to air and water so it won’t break down in your refrigerator or freezer.
It also has to be mixed with other organic materials during composting. Which helps heat the pile and break down the material faster.
And if you’re using a commercial composting bin, ensure enough oxygen in the bin , so it can breathe properly — otherwise, there will be no degradation.
How is compostable cling wrap made?
Compostable cling wrap is made from mixed materials, including plant-based resins and biodegradable plastics.
Compostable plastic products, such as corn or sugarcane, are made from renewable resources. They are designed to break down in an anaerobic environment (one with little or no oxygen) like a compost pile or landfill.
The most common type of compostable plastic is PLA (polylactic acid). This material is made from cornstarch or sugarcane ethanol, which makes it a renewable resource. PLA also has the benefit of being non-toxic and composts in about two weeks when exposed to heat and moisture (like in a commercial food waste facility).
PLA does have some drawbacks. It’s less durable than traditional plastic products. So it’s not suitable for grocery bags or bottles that will be handled frequently. Also, since it’s derived from plants, it can sometimes have an off-putting smell when heated.
Why do we need compostable cling wrap?
In short, the answer is to reduce our carbon footprint and the amount of waste we produce.
Compostable cling wrap is made from plant-based materials that break down into organic matter in a compost bin or other appropriate environment. These products are not intended to be sent to a landfill along with your food scraps , but are designed for recycling into soil amendment products.
When non-compostable plastics get tossed into the trash, they often end up in landfills. Where they will remain for hundreds of years before breaking down. The EPA estimates that nearly 25% of all municipal solid waste in the United States is plastic. And only about 9% of this plastic is recycled yearly.
Can you compost compostable cling wrap?
Yes, you can compost biodegradable cling wrap. However, it’s not as easy as composting regular plastic cling wrap.
To get the best results with biodegradable cling wrap, add it to your compost pile instead of a home composter or worm bin. If you have neither of these options available, try wrapping up your food waste in newspaper before tossing it into the trashcan. That way, it will be easier for the biodegradable plastic to break down when the paper breaks down.
If you’re adding biodegradable cling wrap to an open compost pile or worm bin, make sure that your compost pile is well-ventilated and has plenty of oxygen. So that the material will break down quickly enough before any animals get into it. Also, keep in mind that with any type of composting system, including those that use worms. There’s always a chance that some pieces of waste won’t break down completely and could end up being eaten by animals.
As long as you follow these tips and are careful about what types of items you put into your compost pile or bin (for example, no meat products), it’s possible to biodegrade.
Conclusion
Ultimately, my only real recommendation is to avoid buying compostable plastic cling wrap containing a plasticizer like DEHA. These should be easy to spot (usually on the label). Of course, this isn’t a solution to our problem—it’s still better to recycle conventional plastic cling wrap than to throw it in your single-stream bin. Still, you know you’re not adding more non-biodegradable synthetic materials into the waste stream.
