Frequently Asked Questions
- What does biodegradable and compostable mean?
- What does biobased mean?
- Do Natur-Bag® products meet any standards?
- What is ASTM D6866?
- What are the requirements of the ASTM D6400 standard for measuring compostability?
- Are Natur-Bag® products GMO free?
- Do Natur-Bag® products contain traditional plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene or polypropylene?
- How do Natur-Bag products compare in strengths/usability to PE materials?
- What is the BPI?
- What is the purpose of the BPI 100% Composting Logo?
- What is composting and what are the benefits?
- What is the proper disposal environment for Natur-Bag® products?
- What is a Waste Diversion Program?
- Can Natur-Bag® compostable products be disposed of in a landfill?
- How do I find a compost facility in my area?
- When will the bags start degrading once I put them in use and leave them at the curb for pick up?
- How quickly will bags start degrading in a home compost pile?
- How quickly will bags start degrading in a commercial/industrial compost facility?
- How quickly will cutlery start degrading in a compost facility?
- What is the shelf life of Natur-Bag®?
What does biodegradable and compostable mean?
Biodegradable occurs when under the right conditions the microbes in the environment can break down materials and use them as a food source. It is a process that can take place in many environments including soils, compost sites, water treatment facilities, marine environments and even in the human body. This is the process that converts carbon into energy and maintains life.
In order for plastic to biodegrade they must go through a two-step process:
- The long polymer chains are shortened at the carbon-carbon bonds. This process can be initiated by heat, moisture, microbial enzymes or other environmental conditions, depending on the polymer. This step is called “degradation” and you know it is occurring because the plastic becomes weak and will easily fragment.
- The shorter carbon chains pass through the cell walls of the microbes and are used as an energy source. Biodegradation occurs when the carbon chains are utilized as a food source and are fully converted into water, biomass and carbon dioxide.
Compostable (or composting) is a process where you can combine yard, garden, and organic (food) waste together and make your own soil building nutrients & plant fertilizer. Home composting is a way for you to speed up the natural process of decomposition and return organic materials to the soil. Yard trimmings and food scraps make up nearly 1/6 of what the average household throws into the garbage, by composting you are reducing the amount sent to landfill.
What does biobased mean?
Biobased: materials that are derived in whole or part from biomass resources. Biomass resources are organic materials that are available on a renewable or recurring basis such as crop residues, wood residues, grasses, and aquatic plants. Corn ethanol is a well known example of a biobased material derived from biomass resources.
Biobased product: a product that contains some amount of biobased material within it. The term is typically applied only to materials containing carbon.
Look for annually renewable and non-food source biobased material to have an even more sustainable option.
Do Natur-Bag products meet any standards?
Yes, they meet the following:
Natur-Bag:
- Meets ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 - standards for compostable plastics - fully compost in 180 days in an industrial compost environment.
- Certified compostable by the BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) for US and AIB-Vinçotte (OK Compost) for EU. 3rd party institutes for compostability validation.
- Approved for use in the Cedar Grove Compost System - very critical for the Pacific NW, mandates full biodegradation in 60 days in their compost system.
Natur-Ware:
- Meets ASTM D6866 standard for biobased content
- Meets USDA Bio-Preferred definition of biobased (51% biobased content)
- Internal testing indicates compostability criterion of ASTM D6400 are met
What is ASTM D6866?
ASTM Method D6866 is the US government approved method for determining the renewable/biobased content of natural range materials, including ethanol additives, bio-diesel additives and biobased products.
ASTM D6866 is recognized by regulars and companies world-wide as a valid tool for quanitify the renewable carbon content of biobased products. It is routinely used by companies and organizations world-wide who need to:
- Validate the renewable carbon content of compounds
- Re-formulate compounds that previously were entirely petrochemical
- Validate the renewable claims of raw material suppliers
- Research and develop alternative products with renewable content
- Obtain marketing data to support renewable claims
- Obtain data to support regulatory requirements
What are the requirements of the ASTM D6400 standard for measuring compostability?
The ASTM D6400 Standard for compostable plastics specifies three criteria for compostability
1. Mineralization
- At least 90% conversion of carbon dioxide, water, and biomass via microbial assimilation
- Occurs at the same rate as natural materials (i.e. leaves, grass, food scraps)
- Occurs within a time period of 180 days or less
2. Disintegration
- Less than 10% of test material remains on a 2mm sieve
3. Safety
- No impact on plants, using OECD Guide 208
- Regulated (heavy metals less than 50% of EPA prescribed threshold)
Are Natur-Bag® products GMO free?
Yes, because they do not contain any PLA, corn or starches, they are GMO free.
Do Natur-Bag® products contain traditional plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, or polypropylene?
No, they do not. Neither Natur-Bag® or Natur-Ware® contains traditional plastics. Traditional plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene pr polystyrene do not pass the compostability standards.
How do Natur-Bag® products compare in strengths/usability to PE materials?
The Natur-Bag® products are similar in strength when compared to the same mil thickness/gauge or PE materials.
What is the BPI?
The BPI is short for the Biodegradable Products Institute. It is a multi-stakeholder association of key individuals and groups from government, industry and academia, which promote the use and recovery of biodegradable/compostable plastic materials.
What is the purpose of the BPI 100% Composting Logo?
The BPI composting logo is designed to address the confusion that has existed between truly compostable materials and oxo-degradable plastics by building credibility and recognition for products that meet the ASTM D6400 Standards among consumers, composters, regulators and others. It is designed to be easily recognizable and able to be placed on the actually product as well as packaging and sales literature.
What is composting and what are the benefits?
Compostingis the natural breakdown of organic material into rich soil known as compost. Tiny microorganisms found in the soil breakdown organic matter by consuming it as a food source. Composting organic waste (yard trimmings, food waste, etc) helps to divert organic waste away from a landfill.
Compost, when added back to land projects promotes healthy plant growth, improves soil moisture retention, amends sandy/clay soils and improves crop nutrient content.
What is the proper disposal environment for Natur-Bag®?
Natur-Bag products are designed to be fully compostable in a professional or municipal compost facility. These facilities are carefully controlled to maintain the correct balance of moisture, nutrients and temperature needed for full biodegradation.
What is a waste diversion program?
A source separated waste diversion program refers to the successful separation of waste streams. There waste streams include; organics, recyclables and non-organic trash. Each waste stream is collected separated in clearly labeled containers. The collection bin for all organic waste is lined with Natur-Bag® compostable bags; this makes the collection process more efficient and hygienic. As additional compostable foodservice products (compostable tableware, cutlery, etc.) are introduced into the facility they can also be collected along with the organic food waste.
The organic waste is collected and hauled by a professional compost facility and the resulting compost can be used for land projects in the community. Source separated waste diversion programs are ideal for large institutions, cafeterias, schools/universities, government agencies, etc.
Waste diversion programs help divert millions of tons of organic materials away from landfills, reduce garbage hauling/tipping fees and divert organic waste to a compost facility so waste can be reclaimed for land projects.
Can Natur-Bag® compostable products be disposed of in a landfill?
Modern day landfills are designed to entomb garbage anaerobically – meaning without oxygen. Landfills are managed so that very little material actually degrades even if the material is organic. Landfill excavations have uncovered newspapers that are still readable after almost forty years, ten year old carrots that are still bright orange on the inside and twenty year old steaks that still have meat on the bones.
Biodegradation is an aerobic process – meaning oxygen breathing. For complete, proper biodegradation, compost facilities have to maintain a carefully controlled balance of moisture, nutrients, temperature and particle size.
Biodegradation is not the answer to extending landfill space. Diverting organic material to a compost facility instead of a landfill is a more sustainable solution and allows for the reuse of the final compost material.
How do I find a compost facility in my area?
To find a professionally managed compost facility in your area, please visit www.findacomposter.com to search for a facility in your area.
When will the bags start degrading once I put them in use and leave them at the curb for pick up?
Depends on the situation (environment - temperature, humidity, what is packed inside, etc.). We have seen our bags stand strong with grass clippings for five [5] days. But plan to have material picked up within a week of placing into the bags.
How quickly will bags start degrading in a home compost file?
It depends on the situation (environment - temperature, humidity, what is packed inside, etc). we have seen our bags stand strong with food scraps and leaves for up to a week. Plan to have material picked up within a week of placing waste into the bags. We recommend keeping filled bags on paved or dry surfaces if possible. When bagging grass clippings, it is advised to dispose of within a day or two due to the aggressive decomposition nature of enzymes in grass clippings.
How quickly will bags start degrading in a commercial/industrial compost facility?
Industrial/commercial compost facilities should see complete assimilation of the bags in 60-75 days. It could go faster/slower depending on the temperature of the pile, frequency of turning etc.
How quickly will cutlery start degrading in a compost facility?
Cutlery will require the full 180 days to assimilate in a commercially/industrially run facility. Home compost piles can take 2-3 growing seasons depending on location and maintenance of the pile.
What is the shelf life of Natur-Bag®?
Our shelf life is 12 months, internal studies and experience indicate that if stored in te original packaging and in a cool, dry place our bags will retain strength up to 18 months.
