The U.S.Department of Agriculture will soon decide whether to allow synthetic biodegradable materials in certified organic compost, sparking debate among stakeholders.
Meg Wilcox reports for Civil Eats.
In short:
- The USDA's National Organic Program currently excludes most synthetic materials from organic compost, allowing only certain recycled papers.
- Steve Ela, an organic farmer, expresses concern over the proposal to include biodegradable food packaging, fearing it could alter the integrity of organic compost.
- The Biodegradable Products Institute argues that accepting these materials could help meet food waste diversion goals and promote climate-smart agriculture.
Key quote:
“We feel that there’s a lot of risks and not a lot of gain for us.”
— Steve Ela, organic farmer
Why this matters:
The issue challenges the traditional definition of what is considered "organic" and raises important considerations about sustainability, waste reduction, and soil health. There are concerns about the complete breakdown of these materials and the possibility of unknown chemical residues. Critics argue that allowing synthetic materials, even biodegradable ones, could dilute the essence of what it means to be organically certified, which has traditionally emphasized natural processes and inputs.
Biodegradable food packaging is a step in the right direction, experts say, but when composted carries risks of microplastic and chemical contamination.
