I’ve talked about finding bits of plastic in mulch and compost/soil products that have been brought into a couple of my workplaces before. This is a huge bugbear of mine as there should not be any plastic in these products at all, end of story. I read an article yesterday in the Guardian newspaper from waste companies within the Australian state of New South Wales bemoaning the fact that so many people use biodegradable/compostable plastic (as stated on product labels) bags to put food waste that then goes on to be composted for use in agriculture. These bags don’t break down in any way, even if advertised that they do eventually do so.
It does raise a few points with me really. The first for me is that there is a fair amount of ‘greenwashing’ (rediculous term, just call it out as nonsense if that’s what it actually is) around plastic and new ‘weird plastic’ replacements.
Another thing that I find interesting is the fact that people buy this stuff. Instead of using reusable tubs of some form where soft plastic bags aren’t needed at all, they go for the soft ‘weird plastic’ instead of, or as well as, the reusable tub. Why bother with both? Use reusable tubs, wash them as required, job done. That way, you don’t have to wade through the advertising nonsense that is constantly sprouted by companies.
The third point that I have to raise is on the shoulders of the companies that have been complaining. It is not just plastic bags, of any form, that I have found in these soil and mulch products. I have found harder plastic too.
What do I suggest gets done? The only real thing anyone can do is reduce the use of plastic to the bare minimum. This can’t and won’t happen overnight, and plastic will not disappear overnight. Each and everyone of us can reduce our use over time, without a doubt.
With finding it in soil, compost and mulch, it is a hard one really as sometimes you do have to buy it in and you can’t control what’s in that in terms of plastic bits of crap as an added extra. All I would say is that all you can do is speak to the company in question.
Any green waste and food waste you send off in your bins should be clear of plastic and other waste. Just have food and/or green waste, nothing else. Don’t waste money on things that say they are biodegradable or compostable when thy look plastic. There are better ways to use your money.
The link for the article is below if you want to read it.