RECYCLABLE 

Recycling is the process of converting used materials into something new, keeping products away from a landfill. But there are limits to how many times some materials can be recycled. Standard plastics and paper, for example, can usually be recycled only a few times before they become unusable, whereas others, such as glass, metal and aluminium, can be recycled endlessly.

There are several different types of plastic, some commonly recycled, others almost never recyclable. Each city has its own rules dictating what can and cannot be recycled, so it is always best to check with your local municipality before tossing items into your recycling bin. Putting something into your recycling bin that does not belong can have adverse effects. When your recycling becomes contaminated with food or non-recyclable items, it can compromise the whole batch, causing it to end up in the landfill. For example, only recycle pizza boxes if they are free from any grease, cheese, or other food remnants. If part of the box is contaminated with food, you can compost that portion and recycle the rest. 

BIODEGRADABLE

Biodegradable means that a substance can break down naturally without causing any harm. The term is assigned to products that can disintegrate into natural elements—such as carbon dioxide and water vapor—with the help of bacteria, fungi, and other biological processes. In reality, nearly everything is biodegradable, but it takes time. Even natural products such as banana skin can take 2 years to biodegrade when thrown away, but some products can take centuries to break down. In the meantime, they can have dire environmental consequences.

As they break down, they turn into smaller pieces of plastics, which can take some time to dissolve. Therefore, although the process of decomposing happens naturally, it can still be harmful to the environment.

Much like the term “natural,” there is not much oversight when it comes to labeling things biodegradable. Products like biodegradable bags require specific conditions for proper decomposition, and you cannot recycle them. When these items end up in landfills, they are deprived of the necessary elements and may produce harmful greenhouse emissions when they decompose. For this reason, these products can sometimes cause more harm than good.

However, biodegradable plastics decompose much faster than their traditional counterparts which may take hundreds of years to break down. They seem, therefore, a more environmentally-friendly solution.

COMPOSTABLE

Finally, composting is a microbial process that converts organic materials into a nutrient-rich, soil-like substance. This process allows organic matter to return to the earth, rather than ending up in a landfill where it improperly decomposes and creates methane gas. All compostable items are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable items are compostable.

Compostable packaging breaks down in a backyard composting system (with some exceptions) or a commercial composting facility. This is a good alternative for food packaging, as food can often contaminate recyclable containers. However, you should never put compostable packaging in your recycling bin as it will contaminate the recycling process.

Compostable products are made from natural materials such as starch and decompose fully into “compost” without producing toxic residue as they break down. To be classified as compostable, products must meet specific requirements defined in The European Standard EN 13432.

BIOPLASTICS

There is also a fourth category – known as bio-plastics. They are made from marine or plant-based materials (such as corn and sugarcane) instead of petroleum and, therefore, are considered more environmentally-friendly.

This is because their production requires less usage of fossil fuels and generates fewer greenhouse gases than that of petroleum-based plastics. Some bioplastics are also made from waste agriculture byproducts, such as potato peelings, which promotes material “recycling”.

However, despite what their name suggests, not all bioplastics are biodegradable. For example, a polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic is biodegradable, whereas a polyethene terephthalate (PET) bioplastic is not. It is, however, recyclable… Unsurprisingly, this causes confusion and means that many bioplastics are not disposed of correctly.