[USCC] compostable bags

[John A. Crockett]

Rhodes Yepsen is absolutely right, that before bags are put into the
marketplace with the claim that they are "compostable" they need to be
tested, and verified that they are compostable.

At the conference in Oakland in February of 2008, I got some sample
"compostable" bags and they failed the test, and failed miserably.  Weeks at
moisture > 50%, and temperatures > 131°F, with oxygen > 17%, with constant
forced aeration, the bags did not break down.  Everything except the bags
had been shredded to 1/8" and smaller.  Temperature was monitored by
thermocouples linked to an Omega TempScan and computer.  Compost thought the
bacterial dominant phase was turned most every day.

I look forward to vendors sending us samples and having the bags break down,
and being able to report that their bags have demonstrated that they are, in
fact, really compostable, that they do break down.  Our benchmark is six
weeks maximum.

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com