THERE ARE NO LOCAL & / OR ADEQUATE COMPOSTING FACILITIES AVAILABLE?

All compostable products can either be disposed of in the garden / organic / food waste stream or in the general waste where all contaminated / “recyclable unsure” waste is disposed of.

Either way, the compostable products will decompose successfully back to natural elements without leaching any toxins into the environment, unlike their conventional plastic counterparts, irrespective of where they end up.

Compostable products are no good, they contaminate the recycling stream?

It has been well established that generalised recycling is a failed system for various reasons and especially for single use products. Most conventional plastic single use products are also contaminated either due to mixed plastic types or due to organic waste (food) contamination. Compostable contamination will not hinder the current failed system any further, and is an inconsequential concern that is a convenient deflection from the main issue at hand. Another instance of professional greenwashing.

How long does a product take to compost?

This is in essence an ambiguous question. The simple answer is that it will take as long as the natural process requires to fully decompose the product back into natural elements. The time frame for this decomposition process is greatly influenced by the environmental conditions that the product finds itself in and the density of the product.

In an ideal environment, products decompose very quickly and this can be sped up even further due to mechanical intervention, such as either termites on wood or machinery to grind wood down to sawdust. Compostable film would not need any mechanical intervention, where as a solid compostable product such as cutlery, would significantly benefit from mechanical intervention, if time was of the essence. This fluctuating time frame has no bearing on the ability of compostable materials to decompose back into natural elements without leaching any toxins into the environment during the decomposition process.

Are compostable products expensive?

Yes, compostable products are more expensive when compared to conventional plastic equivalents, if only looking at price. Compostable products are not at all expensive when compared to conventional plastic equivalents, considering a full value proposition that consists of the end consumers’ environmental ideology, brand credibility positioning and corporate responsibility to the current global pollution crisis.

How long does a compostable product last?

Again, this is an ambiguous question, as it is dependent on the product type and if it is stored responsibly. More delicate products such as thinner refuse bags and cling film, 7 months and more robust products such as cutlery, 2 to 3 years. This again confirms the need for compostable products as not all products need to last forever. It only needs to last for as long as it’s needed, especially if it is for a single use purpose.

The compostable straw will still pollute the ocean, so why bother?

Aesthetically, yes this is true, and no different to the plastic straw or the paper straw. However, nature can decompose the compostable straw 100% without leaching toxins into the environment, unlike the plastic straw and most likely the paper straw (paper leaches toxins as it decomposes). The compostable straw will not last long in the natural environment, certainly not as long as the plastic straw, but it cannot compete with the paper straw as most paper straws can’t even endure their intended purpose, which in turn means adding more pollution to the situation as one calls for another paper straw to finish off the required purpose.

A paper straw is by far the least favourable option for a positive consumer experience and a conventional plastic straw is the least favourable option for counteracting the current pollution crisis. A compostable straw is the only solution that positively addresses the downfalls of both the paper and conventional plastic straw.

Will compostable products decompose in a landfill?

Yes, compostable products will decompose in a landfill, even though a landfill is an anaerobic environment. An anaerobic environment means that it is an oxygen deprived environment. The type of bacteria present in an anaerobic environment excrete carbon dioxide, water and can unfortunately excrete potent toxins such as methane.

A landfill is not an ideal solution / environment for dumping waste, however, compostable materials are still processed back to natural elements by nature, whereas conventional based plastic is not and over time will end up as pollution in the oceans due to the natural process of erosion.

The landfill is however an environment where the composting chain of events can be initiated.

why use a compostable bag to put normal waste in it?

It is a starting point, even though not perfect, but definitely more sustainable than using a conventional refuse bag. Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.

What does “Bio-Based” mean?

It is when a product is manufactured out of material that is a mixture of compostable plastic and conventional based plastic. This is typically done for either one of the following reasons; to confuse the consumer with a greenwashing term, to attempt to keep the product price as competitive as possible when compared to conventional plastic products and on a lesser basis to assist in disguising the inferior quality of “Bio” manufactured products. The fact that conventional based plastic is used within the manufacture of these products, defeats the very purpose of considering such a product, unless there are hidden agendas at play.

Do worms eat compostable products?

No, ideally suited worms for composting with (Red Wriggler – Eisenia Fetida) do not eat the compostable products. Worms feed on the bacteria that decompose the compostable product. The process of bacteria consuming the product is the same process as the decomposition of the product. This is how compostable products return back to natural elements as they decompose.

Bacteria cannot consume conventional based plastics, hence why they remain as micro and nano plastics in the natural environment. These worms consume the bacteria and excrete vermicompost – the “black gold” of soil.

Bonnie Bio products are different. When our products break down, they break down consistently with other natural materials. At Bonnie Bio, we’re proud to say that our biobased internationally certified compostable and biodegradable plastic alternatives have been manufactured to comply with the following international standards: EN 13432, AS 5810, ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868 and carry the DIN CERTCO, CE, FDA and Seedling logos. We are the only company in South Africa to have international certifications.