What happens to plastic-coated paper in compost?

The Issue

The plastic-coated paper products currently being collected by many composting programs produce both macro- and micro-fragments of non-biodegradable plastic which contaminate the finished compost. Once these plastics are dispersed into the environment, they have not been shown to biodegrade and are suspected of causing detrimental effects to organisms in a variety of ecosystems. We can expect these fragments to persist indefinitely and to be so widely dispersed that it will be impossible to clean them up. Compost collection programs and compost facilities must exclude plastic-coated paper products from their guidelines to prevent future harm.

Compost Collection Program Coordinators, Processors and Haulers: Take the Pledge

Eco-Cycle is asking you to join us by creating guidelines that exclude plastic-containing products from all compost collection programs across the U.S. We believe it’s critical to take action NOW. Collection programs like yours that are at the vanguard of the coming movement to compost municipal organics must set the right example for others to follow. Will you join us?

Join us and take the pledge to keep plastic-coated paper products out of compost guidelines and bins. Click here to view the pledge.

How to Send in Your Pledge: 

To sign the pledge digitally, click here to open the form. First, save it to your computer. Then, fill out the form at the bottom of the page.  Under "signature," please type your name. After filling out the form, save it again and then This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  as an attachment.

Other ways to send in your signed pledge:

Print the pledge and mail it to:  Attn: Cyndra Dietz, Eco-Cycle, P.O. Box 19006, Boulder CO, 80308

Print the pledge and fax it to:  303-444-6647, Attn: Cyndra Dietz

Companies that Have Taken the Pledge to Keep Plastic-Coated Paper Products Out of Compost Guidelines and Bins

Alpine Waste & Recycling
Boulder County
Clean Air Lawn Care & Compost
Gallegos Sanitation
Green Girl Recycling
Waste Not Recycling

View a list of U.S. Municipal Compost Programs that Prohibit Plastic-Coated Paper Products.

Resources

Documents

Issue summary

 

White paper

PowerPoint presentations

Micro-plastics in Compost
PPT(11 MB) or PDF

 

Concerns around Oxo-biodegradable Products
PPT or PDF

 

Compostable Food Serviceware: What to know before purchasing
PPT or PDF

Links

List of BPI certified compostable products

 

Compostable products for food services: making sense of what's available

 

Recommended composting guidelines from Eco-Cycle

Help us spread the news around this important issue. These written and presentation materials are meant for educational purposes and to be shared with interested parties. Feel free to use these materials when talking with decision-makers but please give credit to Eco-Cycle and Woods End Laboratories. Like to see another educational resource? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FAQs

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Articles from Our Educators

Zero Waste: A Realistic Sustainability Program for Schools

School Compost Programs: Pathways to Success

Links to more resources

Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative

Compostable Organics out of Landfills

Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)

Compostable Plastics 101: an excellent overview of the terminology and challenges surrounding compostable plastics, from the California Organics Recycling Council

Algalita Marine Research Foundation: the leading organization studying plastic debris in our oceans and its impacts on marine life