What is biodegradable material?  A biodegradable material is capable of being broken down completely under the action of microorganisms into carbon dioxide, water and biomass. It may take a very long time for a material to biodegrade depending on its environment (e.g. hardwood in an arid area), but it ultimately breaks down completely.  What is compostable material?  A compostable material biodegrades substantially under composting conditions, into carbon dioxide, methane, water and compost biomass. Compost biomass refers to the portion of the material that is metabolized by the microorganisms and which is incorporated into the cellular structure of the organisms or converted into humic acids etc. Compost biomass residues from a compostable material are fully biodegradable. "Compostable" is thus a subset of  "biodegradable". The size of the material is a factor in determining compostability because it affects the rate of degradation. Large pieces of hardwood may not be compostable under a specific set of composting conditions, whereas sawdust of the same type of wood may be.  What is a compost-compatible material?  A compost-compatible material does not have to be compostable or even biodegradable. It may biodegrade too slowly to be itself compostable, or it may not biodegrade at all. However, it is not readily distinguishable from the compost on a macroscopic scale and does not have a deleterious effect on the compost (e.g. it is not a biocide). Compost-compatible materials are generally inert and are present in compost at relatively low levels. Examples of compost-compatible materials include sand particles and inert particles of plastic.  Why Compost?  Although composting has historically focused on creating garden-ready soil, it is becoming more important as a tool for reducing solid waste. More than 60 percent of household waste in the United States is recyclable or compostable. But Americans only compost 8 percent of their waste. The decomposition of material sent to landfill is a principal cause of methane, an important greenhouse gas, so reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill is a key element of the fight against climate change. Surveys have shown that the #1 reason Americans don't compost their waste is because they feel the process is complicated, time-consuming or requires special equipment. However, especially in rural areas, much of the solid waste could be removed from the waste stream by promoting "extremely passive composting" where consumers simply discard their yard waste and kitchen scraps on their own land, regardless of whether the material is ever re-used as "compost". www.nrdc.org/cities/recycling/fover.asp  Should you use bags to line containers?  Typically, small containers are lined with compostable bags, and when filled, the bag and contents are transferred to a larger container for pick up by a hauling company. Large brown craft paper "yard debris" bags may also be used (make sure these don't have a plastic layer inside as these won't break down into compost). Because regular trash bags are made of plastic, you cannot include them in the compost program. Compostable bags are available in various sizes. Visit our on-line store for information on ordering compostable bags. Why do we use disposables? Disposable foodservice products were initially developed to enhance public health by improving sanitary practices in the foodservice industry.  These products minimize exposure to bacteria and other foodborne pathogens.  One study concluded early in the solid waste debate that “while these data do not prove that using disposable actually prevents foodborne illness, the fact that reusables have a statistically higher level of microbial contamination than disposables favors the presumption that single service offers a measure of protection that would be missed if solid waste considerations barred them from use.”  (Felix, Charles Wl, Chet Parrow, and Tanya Parrow. “Utensil Sanitation: A Microbiological Study of Disposables and Reusables.”  Journal of Environmental Health September-October 1990:  15.)  Patrons of fast food restaurants, households with young children, hospitals concerned about the spread of foodborne disease, and school cafeterias and other restaurants that cannot accommodate a lunch or dinner crowd with reusables alone attest to the need for an alternative to permanentware.  Add to this consideration the energy, water, and detergents used to wash permanentware and it seems clear that disposables have their place in modern life. Dart Container Corp. What is the recycling rate of plastic in the United States? < 6% What is the percentage of plastic that biodegrades in landfills, compost, or the ocean? 0% - Plastic does not biodegrade. The only way to rid the planet of plastic is by incineration.