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biodegradable bags

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:27 pm
by Tinks
Hi, i was having a think about these this morning as I always try to use biodegradable bags and am now using sandwich bags that degrade in about a year, well i was wondering whether it is better to throw them away (when they cant be used anymore) so they 'degrade' (is that actually a word?) or whether to put them in the recycling where energy and money is spent on recycling them when they are just going to disintegrate anyway?
if that make any sense? :?
tinks

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:51 pm
by ina
What are they actually made of?

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 10:22 pm
by Tinks
I'm not sure Ina, there is the symbol d2w on the packaging, not sure if that means anything, they say that they break down into water, carbon dioxide and a very small amount of biomass.
tinks

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 1:30 am
by Mandyz
What is the company's measure of it being biodegradable? Does it require optimal conditions - like a compost heap?
Because from what I recall, massive garbage heaps do not foster biodegradation, at least, not in a timely manner.

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:34 pm
by ina
They sound as if they'd be best off on a compost heap - probably not much sense in recycling them. If you've used them for sandwiches they might not be terribly clean, either, so would not be ideal in the recycling process. I chuck quite a lot of paper and cardboard on the compost, the worms seem to love it.