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August 15, 2021 3 min read
GO PLASTIC-LESS, GO BAMBOO.
Have you been wondering which packaging option to stick with, and more importantly which is more eco-friendly?
You are definitely not alone because the two words have been interchanged so much that people actually think they’re one and the same. Who can blame them — the processes are similar after all.
But, they’re not the same.
You already know that here at TEYGA, we are all about eco-friendly and zero waste living. We want to help you make choices that don’t just seem friendly to earth but are actually good for our environment.
That’s why we created this guide to help you know the difference and make more informed choices.
If a product or packaging is biodegradable, it simply means that it can be broken down by microorganisms into tiny little bits, and eventually disintegrate over time.
That sounds good, right?
Not nearly! You should be concerned about what it gets broken down into. Even plastics get broken down into microplastics, but it’s still not good for our environment.
So, the next time you want to go for biodegradable, ask this question: ‘what does this get broken down into?’
You can quickly do an internet search on the material to find out what it disintegrates into.
Before you get too excited about finally getting to put your new compost bin to use, read on carefully.
Like biodegradable products and packaging, compostable products and packaging also get broken down. So, what’s the difference?
Well, for compostable products and packaging, the end product of the degradation is always water, carbon(iv)oxide, some inorganics and biomass. When composting is complete, you’ll not see or notice any residue— just rich nutrients for your garden.
But, before you pick a compostable product, check the certification— you don’t want to buy a product that is not actually compostable.
The packaging should have a compostability certification symbol like the BPI, ASTM D6400, or EN 13432 symbols depending on the region of production.
If the packaging is plain paper like the minimalist recycled cardboard packaging we use here at TEYGA for all of our products, you can completely trust that it's compostable.
The truth is that even though composting and biodegradation are both degradation processes, composting has the eco-friendly vote, and here are some reasons why.
· Biodegradable doesn’t always mean eco-friendly
· Even though biodegrading needs less human intervention, it happens in the landfill and usually has a long term negative impact
· Composting provides non-toxic organic matter that can be used to grow food.
Finally, you should know that some products/packaging can only be composted commercially because of the degrading conditions required. Don’t worry, it’s still eco-friendly, you just have to take it to a facility.
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