No Plastics for Lent: Compostable Plastic Benefits & Limitations
This June, our La Crosse Area Synod will gather in Assembly around the theme “For the Beauty of the Earth: Climate Edition.”
“Gracious Creator, as we journey toward gathering in our assembly in a few months, our hymn of thanks begins with praise of your majestic creating work in the world around us. We are part of your creation, and celebrate the sturdy yet fragile beauty of our earth and of the wonders beyond. Help and guide us to learn and live out ways to honor and sustain all of your creation as we seek life-giving relationships rooted in your creating love. Amen.”
Compostable Plastic Benefits & Limitations:
A growing number of plastic products claim to be compostable or biodegradable, including trash bags and pet waste bags. These products should not be placed in recycling containers for plastic bags because they will interfere with the recycling process.
In some cases, compostable plastics may be a preferred environmental alternative but the case is complex. These products are only compostable in industrial facilities equipped to handle them. They will not degrade completely in a landfill or backyard or typical municipal compost facility. In fact, because composting is an aerobic process and requires oxygen, nothing "composts" in a landfill. Instead, in the landfill, such waste breaks down to generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Check with your local government if you have questions about using compostable bags for their yard or food waste collections.
Benefits of Plastic Film Recycling
Recycling clean, dry plastic shopping bags, newspaper bags, wrap packaging and other plastic bags and wrap ensures that we continue to make full use of materials while conserving energy and keeping bags and wrap out of our landfills, streets and natural environment.
Thank you Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in La Crosse, WI for these tips.
