WHAT IF THEY GO TO LANDFILL
While it's true that compostable packaging doesn't break down as efficiently in landfill as it does in composting systems, it still offers some key advantages over traditional plastics, even when it ends up in landfill:
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Tipa Compostable packaging is partly made from plant-based materials, unlike traditional plastics derived from fossil fuels. This means a lower carbon footprint and reduced reliance on non-renewable resources.
- Lower Persistence: Although decomposition is slower in landfill, compostable packaging will eventually break down, unlike traditional plastics that can persist for centuries. This means less long-term accumulation of waste in landfills.
- No Microplastics: Compostable packaging breaks down into natural byproducts, unlike traditional plastics which fragment into harmful microplastics that can persist in the environment.
- Potential for Biogas Recovery: Some landfills are equipped to capture methane produced by decomposing waste and use it as a source of energy. In these systems, the breakdown of compostable packaging can contribute to biogas production.
It's important to emphasize that proper composting remains the ideal disposal method for compostable packaging to maximize its environmental benefits. However, even in the less-than-ideal scenario of ending up in landfill, compostable packaging still offers a more sustainable option compared to traditional plastics.
