Many of us are concerned about plastics and how pervasive they’ve become in our lives. Plastic items labeled as “biodegradable” or “compostable” are becoming common. The word “biodegradable” is used in many contexts to indicate that something will break down over time into natural components. It is also often used to suggest that a product is more environmentally-friendly than its non-biodegradable counterparts. But what does biodegradable actually mean? Are biodegradable items better for the environment? This blog post looks into the environmental impact of three such items.
What does “Biodegradable” mean?
In general, “biodegradable” indicates that something can be broken down by organisms such as bacteria or fungi. The rate of biodegradation depends on factors like temperature, humidity, and the makeup of the item.
The Federal Trade Commission publishes a “Green Guide” for businesses to help them understand the legal definitions of environmental benefit claims. Companies can claim that an item is degradable “only if they can prove that the entire product or package will completely break down and return to nature within [one year] after customary disposal.” The term “customary disposal” indicates that there is often a correct way to dispose of these items so that they can biodegrade properly. Even if an item biodegrades in one setting (such as in a municipal compost facility), it may not in other settings (like your home compost pile). This is important to keep in mind when considering biodegradable items.
Biodegradable Soap
Soaps contain surfactants which when mixed with water have the ability to lift oil and grease away from surfaces to leave your hands and dishes clean. Regular soap surfactants are usually derived from petrochemicals (refined petroleum), while biodegradable soap contains naturally-derived surfactants and often minimizes the use of compounds like perfumes or dyes.
While biodegradable soap is often used for camping, backpacking, and other outdoor recreation, it must be handled properly to avoid the same negative impacts on the environment as regular soap. When used outdoors, stay at least 100 feet away from water sources such as rivers or lakes. Use sparingly and dispose of it in a hole at least six inches deep rather than directly onto the ground since the bacteria in soil help break down the surfactants.
Biodegradable Bags
While biodegradable or compostable bags have increased in popularity as an alternative to single-use plastic bags, they may not be as environmentally-friendly as their manufacturers claim.
Biodegradable bags are made out of plant-based materials such as corn or vegetable starch rather than petroleum-based plastics. While many biodegradable bags are marketed as being “compostable,” they can only be processed in certain large-scale industrial composting facilities. They will not break down in most normal backyard compost piles. In addition, many municipal compost facilities are not equipped to handle these items. In San Luis Obispo County, compostable items such as bags, utensils, or plates are specifically prohibited from being placed in your curbside green waste bin because they get tangled in machinery and can’t break down properly.
If biodegradable bags can’t go into the green waste bin, they must be placed in the trash and sent to the landfill where biodegradation is typically limited due to the lack of oxygen. These biodegradable bags do not decompose in landfills and thus do not necessarily produce less waste than traditional plastic bags.
“Biodegradable” Food Waste
If you have spent time on hiking trails or in public parks, you’ve probably seen food waste left behind. People might assume that the item will biodegrade and quickly return to the environment. They may even think they’re doing a good thing by leaving this “natural” waste in nature rather than putting it in the trash to send to a landfill. The reality is that not all food waste is readily biodegradable. Banana peels and nut shells can take months or even years to break down when left outside, and the environmental conditions on the side of a trail are not ideal for the composting process.
Additionally, human food can harm wildlife by causing illness and encouraging unnatural scavenging behaviors. One of the principles of Leave No Trace is to pack out all trash, including food waste.
What Can You Do?
When making eco-friendly decisions in your daily life, do your research. Find out if manufacturers are engaging in greenwashing or whether products truly provide any advantages. Although biodegradable items have some benefits over their traditional counterparts, a better way to protect the environment may be to reduce consumption and reuse or repurpose items you already have.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-biodegradable-soap
https://www.muskokawatershed.org/blog/bathing-in-the-lake/
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/environmental-claims-summary-green-guides
https://www.lenntech.com/aquatic/detergents.htm
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/do-you-need-compostable-bags/
https://www.popsci.com/biodegradable-compostable-bags/
https://www.iwma.com/recycling-guide
https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/what-happens-food-trash-outdoors/
https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/news/blog/2019-blog-posts/decomposition-organic-litter
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