A New Earth Project’s Post

Transcript

The future of compostable packaging and its role in building a sustainable future was a key topic if the recent VPI conference in Berkeley, CA. While states like California have passed legislation mandating consumer composting, very few packaging materials currently meet compostable standards, which is why many composters are urging States and municipalities interested in EPR policies to take their time to get it right so composting streams aren't irreparably contaminated and innovation and experimentation can actually occur. Andrew Briscoe of Black Earth Compost offered up what he believes is the smarter path. Compostable packaging I believe is the future, but let's not force every resident to navigate it on day 1A. Successful program or diversion mandate should likely be metered in over 10 years. I think a key strategy to combat contamination in these programs is municipalities should only offer it to the homeowners that want to compost and let's call them super residents. Let those participants choose to sign up and ride for 10 years, then start mandating it for everyone else. 10 Years allows the collection, processing and packaging infrastructure to develop and the program to normalize among these key super residents. This 10 years is part of the transition years that helps ease in the challenge of contamination. The end game should be pathogen is all either reusable, refillable, obviously composable, or obviously recyclable with I think incineration as a backup. Another key strategy is during the transition years. Get every school set up to emulate the end game. Start training them now. We also need strategies for composters and compostable packaging manufacturers to survive the transition years. As composters, we need the fortitude to get through, but we also need help. For more, read our latest Field Notes piece about separation anxiety at A New Earth project.com.