It says on the back of this cardboard ice-cream tub that the tub and lid are made of plant based materials. I'm assuming I can throw this in the compost after I wash it out. If the cardboard tub is 92% plant based, does that mean it will break down more quickly?
by muddyboots5
4 Comments
You’re going to have to look up these claims. Plastic is “plant based” if you get pedantic enough. The only thing preventing companies from getting loose with the truth in claims like this are government regulations or industry associations. The “4” on that label is what you need to look up.
I feel like that final 8% is pretty crucial to know. This reeks of dishonest greenwash marketing.
Usually, if a container is fully conpostable, they’ll go out of their way to advertise that.
They almost definitely blend some plastics into the container to make them waterproof and prevent mold. Never put containers with that kind of texture into your pile. I know it seems like cardboard, but its more of a composite material. Only compost non-shiny brown cardboard.
Those plastic lined restaurant to-go containers are also pretty close to 92% “plant based” I’d wager, and they don’t breakdown for shit. I could believe Ben & Jerry’s is better, but between the outside ink and the inside needing to contain ice cream, I’m betting they don’t decompose well, least not in a home setup.
EDIT. I did some digging and found this statement on Ben & Jerry’s UK website. “We’re on a journey to reduce our use of non-compostable petroleum based plastics which means a continued focus on and use of paper based products.”
It doesn’t say anywhere that their packaging is compostable, especially in a home compost. To the recycling bin it goes!!