4 ms·

I have food-waste bags that are labeled "compostable". They tend to start "composting" in my food-waste caddy, so the bags burst once they're about 36 hours old

I have food-waste bags that are labeled "compostable". They tend to start "composting" in my food-waste caddy, so the bags burst once they're about 36 hours old. I think they're made from cellulose. Apart from food-waste, I have a recycling bin and a landfill bin. In general I don't recycle plastics any more. There's a bunch of different kinds of plastic, that have to be separated to be recycled, and if I can't decode the recycling label, then I really doubt there's a robot at the recycling centre separating the different kinds of plastic. Plus: I'm constantly coming across plastic packaging that's mixed: two kinds of plastic bonded together. Those can't be recycled. And cardboard packaging bonded to plastic: that goes to landfill. Also window envelopes; I wish companies would stop using them, the whole envelope goes to landfill. I think the theory is that I'm supposed to pick over my waste, doing my best to separate labels and caps from plastic bottles, recycle just the cardboard from mixed packaging, and inspect each piece of plastic looking for the recycling code. I'm afraid life is too short.

Matumio 4y ago
You don't actually need to separate window envelopes (or paperclips or staples) when recycling paper. Same for the tape they use for cardboard boxes, they use the right kind of plastic for those. (Though I wonder how the average consumer is supposed to know all about recycling processes...)
- fragmede 4y ago
  Worse, you can't even make that claim without knowing which jurisdiction the reader is in! Some places have the machines that can handle the window envelopes, but not everywhere. Same for plastic bags, or PET or PLA plastic.
  - denton-scratch 4y ago
    "Jurisdiction" sounds grand, as if there are laws about these things. There might be where you live, but here it's a question of which private recycling firm has the contract with your local authority. Cross a county border, or move into town, and you have a new recycling firm with new processes.

Matumio 4y ago

You don't actually need to separate window envelopes (or paperclips or staples) when recycling paper. Same for the tape they use for cardboard boxes, they use the right kind of plastic for those. (Though I wonder how the average consumer is supposed to know all about recycling processes...)

fragmede 4y ago
Worse, you can't even make that claim without knowing which jurisdiction the reader is in! Some places have the machines that can handle the window envelopes, but not everywhere. Same for plastic bags, or PET or PLA plastic.
- denton-scratch 4y ago
  "Jurisdiction" sounds grand, as if there are laws about these things. There might be where you live, but here it's a question of which private recycling firm has the contract with your local authority. Cross a county border, or move into town, and you have a new recycling firm with new processes.