Biodegradable or Compostable Pods?
While these pods are a good start, there is still a long way to go before they are domestically compostable or biodegradable.
Consumers are becoming more eco-aware and are looking for an effective and sustainable solution to the environmental issue of using their beloved single-use coffee pods of convenience.
Checking the fine print on the packaging of any coffee pod made of biodegradable (bioplastic) or compostable matter, will lead you to information that indicates it must be commercially or industrially composted.
Bioplastics are plastics
Great progress continues in the quest to find the alternative to plastic, which has become so prevalent in our daily life.
But are Bioplastics really a better option? Not yet - unless processed correctly.
The slow anaerobic breakdown of the bioplastic and coffee grounds contribute to methane production - a greenhouse gas up to 86 times more potent than C02*.
Bioplastics will only break down if they are sent to an industrial composting facility. Do know if you have one in your area? We certainly cannot find any in South East Queensland.
Composting Myth or Truth?
While the pods can be composted, they need to be sent to an industrial facility to be effectively processed, in a temperature-controlled environment. This is a fine art.
Most consumers see the packaging and incorrectly think they can put the pods into their own composting heaps or throw in their rubbish bins, believing the pods will organically breakdown in landfill. This is a huge misconception.
eck the fine print, as the onus is on consumers to make enquiries with their own local Council/Municipality to learn IF they have an industrial composting facility to process the pods. Very few do!
Cost v Enrionment
Plastic pods are super cheap to produce, but don't always reflect the price on the supermarket shelf. They cannot be recycled as they are a mixed product, so are discarded if collected in recycling.
Biodegradable (bioplastic) or compostable pods can't be conveniently disposed or processed at home, and are usually at the top end of the price point.
Aluminium pods are usually mid-high price, but are reducing in price as there are more producers coming online. When separated, the coffee grinds are 100% compostable and the aluminium is infinitely 100% recyclable with rePodder™. That's 100% sustainable!!