Earlier this year there was a big push in the UK to get more and more people into composting. Many councils got in on the action, including offering free compost for gardens and even special deals on bins. The ultimate goal was to show how it can help the environment. One thing people can have concerns about is paper and cardboard, especially if it includes ink, foil, or film. We want to have a closer look here, sharing our knowledge and love for sustainable foils.
Is it compostable?
The most important fact is a large amount of paper and cardboard is safe for composting. Because they are natural plant-based materials, they break down naturally in the right conditions.
Even better, paper and cardboard can help to improve the quality of compost. When they bio-degrade, they release carbon. This can balance nicely with the nitrogen from food scraps and grass cuttings.
Crucial things to remember
While many types of paper and cardboard are compostable, you need to be careful. If the products have a coating, heavy dye or ink, they won’t break down. As a result, they are not suitable for the compost bin.
What about paper and cardboard with foil elements? You might think that they won’t be safe to compost either. However, many materials actually are, including sustainable foils. The key thing is the foil itself is incredibly thin. As a result, it can dissipate during composting in a matter of months. There have been several tests to prove this. It is repeatable in real world conditions too.
The best approach
If you’re planning to compost paper and cardboard, you need to ensure you are approaching it properly. Firstly, check the material carefully to make sure it is uncoated and doesn’t have heavy ink or dye. Next, take care to remove tape and labels; they aren’t bio-degradable in most cases.
When you have your pile of compostable materials, you need to help the process along. The best thing to do is break down the products, especially boxes. Cutting or tearing everything into smaller pieces is great too; it will make materials bio-degrade faster.
Don’t worry if you have anything with food scraps or grease on it, such as pizza boxes. While the contamination means you can’t recycle, it doesn’t cause any problems for composting.
Sustainable foils are ideal for green consumers
Most businesses and individuals today are thinking carefully about how to dispose of things like packaging. The goal is to be greener and help the environment. Composting is a great option, especially for paper and card. There are even new alternatives to plastic packaging that are compostable, such as mailer bags.
If you are looking to be green and promote composting, but still want products to look fantastic, it’s a good idea to look at sustainable foils. They are a wonderful choice, especially if you choose products from brands with proven credentials. We can help, providing a wide selection of fantastic foil materials. We can also answer any questions if you need some advice. So, get in touch today.