Hi Everyone! Renata here again with some more composting tips. Over the next few months I will be taking you through my home composting process while I document the biodegradation of some of our packaging. I will update this blog every couple weeks so you can follow along with me.
A couple things about my method of home composting:
- I use a small counter top compost to hold my kitchen scraps before I bring them out to my larger pile
- My larger compost is currently housed in two buckets (six gallons each) - when I turn my compost I switch it between the two buckets
- I have four horses on my property so I use a fair amount of manure in addition to food scraps which helps things break down. This also means I have to add more "brown ingredients" like sticks and dry grass to help aerate the compost and allow the bacteria to thrive. You can learn more about the ins and outs of composting here
- I live in a temperate climate so I turn my compost about once a week (warmer climates need more frequent turning while colder climates need less)
Now onto the good stuff. Here are my results after three weeks of composting:
Clear Bag - 3 month industrial composting timeline
Kraft Bag - 3 month industrial composting timeline
Printed Cookie Bag - 6 month industrial composting timeline
As you can see from the pictures there are a few rips and signs of biodegradation, but still a ways to go! Our packaging has a 3-6 month composting timeline so we are right on track. What you can't see from the pictures is that the packaging is already starting to become more malleable and lose some of the structural integrity it maintains on the shelf.
Keep checking back for updates!
Results after 6 weeks of composting:
Clear Bag - 3 month industrial composting timeline
Kraft Bag - 3 month industrial composting timeline
Printed Cookie Bag - 6 month industrial composting timeline
Our bags are progressing nicely! When I picked them up they either ripped entirely or began to rip which is great.
Results after 9 weeks of composting:
Clear Bag - 3 month industrial composting timeline
Kraft Bag - 3 month industrial composting timeline
Printed Cookie Bag - 6 month industrial composting timeline
Our bags are looking good! Considering they are made to compost in 3-6 months in an industrial compost facility, they are progressing rapidly in my home compost. Check out our Instagram stories to see how easily the bags rip now!
Results after 12 weeks of composting:
Clear Bag - 3 month industrial composting timeline
Kraft Bag - 3 month industrial composting timeline
Printed Cookie Bag - 6 month industrial composting timeline
Our bags are decomposing to the point where I can't even find all the pieces! I expect decomposition to slow down a bit now that the weather is cooler but they should still continue to break down in my home compost!
Results after 15 weeks of composting
Clear Bag - 3 month industrial composting timeline
Kraft Bag - 3 month industrial composting timeline
Printed Cookie Bag - 6 month industrial composting timeline
Our bags have been reduced to scraps and are getting harder and harder to find in my compost! From now on I am going to be posting photos of my compost pile so we can track how long it takes for the scraps to become unrecognizable.
LAST UPDATED: 12.8.20