For decades, products manufacturers have been refining their process of creating products so they can reduce their carbon footprint on the Earth. Unfortunately, as the human population grows at a rapid pace, so does our consumption of plastic, styrofoam, and other non-reusable substances. This uphill battle has proven that our reliance on plastic has affected our environment. According to an article by National Geographic, humans have created about 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic over the past 6 decades. Of that amount, not even 10% of it was recycled. Compostable and recyclable products have been able to fight this problem, but do you know the difference between them and how you are supposed to dispose of them? Each have their pros and cons, and business industries like foodservice, restaurants, and hotels should be making the switch to them to make an impact.
Compostable Products
One thing that can be confusing to consumers is the constant interchanging use of compostable and biodegradable. Although they are similar, they are not the same thing. Compostable products can break down into carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, or biomass within a matter of 90 days. Biodegradable products are a little bit harder to define, mainly because it has become a marketing term. Since any substance, even plastic, will eventually degrade over time, many companies will claim their products as ‘biodegradable’. However, most of these products do not end up fully degrading in landfills. On top of that, these products are generally bad to try and recycle, as their plastic composition mixed in with recycled plastic will weaken it.
Benefit of Compostable Products
Apart from the drastic reduce of trash and reliance on plastic, compostable products are actually able to benefit the Earth. As millions of tiny microbes eat away at the organic compost product, it dissolves into the soil and helps provide nutrients. To learn about what compostable products Iowa-Des Moines Supply offers, get in contact with us!
Recycling Products
Thanks to advancements in technology and environmental awareness, there are a lot of items that can be recycled. Materials such as glass, paper, metal, electronics, textiles, and even certain types of plastic can be entirely recycled into new products. The problem we face as a society is getting people to recycle. As mentioned above, 91% of all plastics made go unrecycled.
Recycling Plastic
While the majority of people know what items can and cannot be recycled, there is still a lot of confusion about which types of plastic can be recycled. In the state of Iowa, here is a list of plastic items that you can and cannot recycle as ordered by the DNR.
Can Recycle
- Milk Cartons
- Jugs
- Water Bottles
- Containers / carry out containers
Cannot Recycle
- Disposable grocery bags
- Plastic liners
- Plastic utensils
For a more in-depth list on what is accepted and not accepted, click here to learn what is acceptable and click here for a list of items that can no be accepted.
Eco-friendly Commercial Products Supplier
Iowa-Des Moines Supply has been supplying businesses around the Greater Des Moines area for over 75 years. We house over 5,000 different products from 300 different vendors. As a company, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and providing eco-friendly and sustainable products. To learn more, get in contact with us today!