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We live in an exciting time where eco-friendly products are easy to find and affordable. Yet it can be confusing to figure out what compostable products are meant for backyard composting and which ones are only good for industrial composting. This is your one stop guide to figuring out the best compostable household products. This article helps you understand which products belong in a backyard compost bin and which ones are better suited for an industrial or commercial compost site.
What is the difference between backyard composting and Industrial Scale Composting?
There is no difference between the soil created by backyard composting or industrial scale composting, also known as commercial composting. Both have the same amazing end product- compost.
The main difference is that industrial scale composting methods can compost meat, bones, dairy, oil, cardboard, and industrial scale compostable products that don’t typically break down in a backyard compost bin.
So why do these things break down in a commercial scale compost facility but not a backyard compost pile?
First off, you should know that given enough time, all of these will decompose in a backyard compost pile. However, they will take a very long time to break down without an industrial scale composter.
Commercial scale composters have the ability to chip, grind, and mix waste on a very large scale. These composters are usually in the business of turning wood and landscaping scraps into mulch, soil, and compost. Adding bones and compostable products is just as easy, if not easier, than chipping an entire tree.
Commercial scale compost facilities also have good sorting equipment to keep plastics and other contaminants out of the finished product.
Lastly, the large piles in industrial scale compost facilities allow the compost piles to reach high heat quickly and safely. These sites are closely monitored to make sure they reach the proper temperatures for finished compost.
The Best Compostable Household Products for Industrial Scale Composting
If you are a Naples Compost customer or compost with another commercial scale composter, you’ll find this list of compostable products helpful. These are the products that we personally use and recommend to our customers.
It should be noted that the goal of eco-friendly living is to produce less waste. While we love these products, we only suggest that you use them when you absolutely need them. We recommend zero waste products over these compostable products.
However there are times where it’s unavoidable to product waste. I prefer to send compostable baggies in my son’s lunch because he’s lost so many of our pricey zero waste containers. In situations where you just can’t use a zero waste product, we recommend these.
Reusable silicone bags are great, but sometimes you just need a single use option. BioBag makes compostable food storage bags in a variety of sizes.
A zero waste party the goal, but sometimes you can’t host as many people as you want with reusable products. These compostable plates and utensils are perfect for your next party.
Once you have the compostable party plates and utensils, finish it off with compostable party cups!
Serving coffee to a crowd? Skip the wax lined cups and offer these to your office or large gathering instead.
We love these for homemade ice cream or soups. These are freezer safe, but also great for hot products. This is good for giving leftovers to guests.
Did you know that bamboo is compostable? Yup! Start buying bamboo products with natural bristles for your toothbrush, hair brush, and cleaning brushes!
Not only are these completely compostable, they are from a local Naples company! When finished doing your dirty work, toss them in the compost and let them turn to dirt!
Just like the bamboo toothbrush and dish brush, this brush and comb set can be composted when finished. Every bit of it is made of biodegradable products.
What other household items can you compost in a commercial scale composting facility?
There are even more household items that you probably already use that can be composted. Did you know that you can compost all of these items?
- Toothpicks
- Popsicle sticks
- Toilet paper and paper towel rolls
- Parchment paper
- Cardboard egg cartons
The Best Compostable Household Products That break down in a backyard compost pile
The products listed above are geared for industrial scale compost.
If you compost in your backyard, then you’ll love the products in this post. If you partner with a commercial scale composter like Naples Compost you can toss all of these products into your bin. Head here to learn more.
Can you compost industrial Scale compostable products in your backyard?
Seeing as how all organic (meaning carbon containing- not organically grown) materials are technically compostable, sure.
You could technically toss your compostable coffee cup from your favorite local coffee shop into your compost bin.
I’ve done it. I wanted to see what happened. But the truth is that the ones I tossed in my backyard bin a year ago are still breaking down.
I’d recommend that it is okay to throw the occasional industrial scale compostable in your backyard bin, but I wouldn’t get in the habit of it. Instead, find a compost company near you that takes commercial scale compostables.
Naples Compost accepts all compostable products. If you’re in SWFL and want to hire us for compost pick up, head here.
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