[USCC] Questions about certain "packaging"

[SharonBarnes]

Hi to all:

 

I recently attended an Ohio EPA sponsored "Food Scraps" Diversion Workshop.
Attendees included composters, generators, haulers, regulators, funding
entities and policy makers.  Ohio is working to develop a few successful
programs and grow organics diversion from those.   Andrew Ladd, representing
Whole Foods Markets, sent me the following questions regarding his concern
for the fate of some of the packaging parts that he knows are going into
Whole Foods organics compactors for composting.  Can anyone respond from the
technical side to these questions?

 

1.	Polyethylene laminated paper cups - This is the most common hot/cold
"coffee" cup and collected for compost in several locations.  But what
really happens to the polyethylene.  Is it a contaminate in the end product?

2.	Polyurethane laminated paper food containers - This is common in "to
go" style paper food containers.  What becomes of the polyurethane and is it
a toxin to the composting process?
3.	Chlorine bleached paper products - whether napkins or office paper,
is the chlorine or any other residue, such as dioxin, an issue?
4.	Magazine paper - is it compostable?  Are there any issues with the
inks?
5.	Milk and juice cartons - what are they really lined with - wax or
plastic?  Will the plastic pour spout and plastic lid (found on approx. 70%
of the cartons we sell) be screened out or end up as a contaminate? 
6.	Tape on non-waxed cardboard boxes?
7.	Metal nails, small tacks and wire from various non-treated wooden
crates?-Metal is removed in screening at our facility. 
8.	Rubber bands - found around a significant portion of our produce -
Will they compost and/or be screened out?

 

As more composting facilities take in food residuals, packaging will become
extremely important.  Any comments that I can send on to Andrew will be
welcome.

 

Sharon Barnes

Barnes Nursery, Inc.

3511 Cleveland Road West

Huron, OH 44839

P 419-433-5525

800-421-8722

F 419-433-3555

www.barnesnursery.com