Biodegradable Vs. Recycled

Biodegradable Waste

• Biodegradable products will break down into smaller and smaller pieces until bacteria can break them down in a reasonably short time. Biodegradable items can be made from special plastics or paper products. The definition of biodegradability is generally agreed upon, but there is no regulatory framework that sets standards for biodegradability, so the time needed to break down a product may vary widely, and you may have trouble composting biodegradable plastics in your backyard. Compostable products are biodegradable products that will break down in an industrial composter in less than 180 days according to ASTM International Standards.

Recyclable Waste

• Recyclable waste can be processed to create new products from used products. Metal, paper products, glass and conventional plastics are all recyclable. Aluminum and glass can be completely recycled an unlimited number of times. Plastics and paper can often be recycled into similar products, but are also recycled into non-recyclable products, for example, office paper can be recycled into toilet paper or plastic bottles into carpet fibers. Recycling is also the best option for products that would release toxins as they broke down including batteries that contain heavy metals, lights and other devices that contain mercury and pesticide containers. The exact list of products that can be recycled varies by municipality.

Biodegradable Pros and Cons

• Pros: Biodegradable products can be composted without any additional energy input. The end products of biodegradation can be used to enrich the soil and be used to grow plants or even food.
  Cons: Biodegradable products are most environmentally friendly when disposed of separately from the general waste stream, in private or municipal compost facilities. Biodegradable materials do not break down as readily in landfills as they do when composted. The biodegradation process produces methane, a greenhouse gas, although the methane produced from landfills can be harvested. The lack of universal standards for biodegradability means that some items that are marketed as biodegradable may take years to actually break down.

Recycling Pros and Cons

• Pros: Recycling removes products from the waste stream while saving the energy and resources used to create products from virgin materials. Recycling programs are available in most municipalities and many recycled materials have value as commodities. Products that can be recycled are often less expensive, readily available and have value as a waste commodity.
  Cons: Recycled materials need to be separated by the waste stream and sent to recycling facilities. Recycling uses energy and resources to transform waste into new products, although generally less than that used to create new products. Paper products that have food contamination, such as pizza boxes and paper plates, often cannot be recycled. Many recycled products must be downcycled into lower quality products.

Which Is Better for You?

• You might want to choose biodegradable products for food service if you have access to industrial composting facilities. Biodegradable products produce methane, a greenhouse gas, but this can be offset with methane capture technology. You may want to punt on biodegradable plastics until there is a more reliable standard. Recycling is the only option for metals and glass and you may want to choose less expensive conventional paper and plastic products if recycling facilities are readily available.