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Elevate Blog
Recent Posts
Rethinking Plastic: Health Risks and Environmental Impact
What really is 'plastic'? The term encompasses a broad range of materials, each with unique properties and uses. Originally defined as “pliable and easily shaped,” the word now primarily refers to a category of materials known as polymers. Polymers, whether natural or synthetic, are substances composed of monomers - small building blocks - bonded together into [...]
What is Compost Contamination?
How Does Compost Contamination Happen? Compost contamination is when non-compostable items end up mixed with organics in a compost bin. These are things that don’t belong in compost because they don’t decompose entirely (or at all) during the compost manufacturing process. This trash gets mixed up with compost feedstocks and, if not removed, can end up [...]
Say Boo to Landfills - Compost Your Pumpkin After Halloween!
The Hidden Horror of Halloween: Pumpkin Landfill Waste What’s the scariest thing about Halloween? The waste! In 2023, roughly 154 million Americans planned to carve a pumpkin as part of their Halloween celebrations. About 1.9 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown each year in the US. Many of them are carved, decorated, and set on porches for Halloween. [...]
Is Compostable Packaging Only For Food?
As brands become increasingly aware of their environmental footprint, the question of how we package our products has never been more relevant. The food industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards more sustainable packaging choices. But is this exclusive to food packaging? Or does the potential of compostable packaging extend beyond the boundaries of meals [...]
What Happens to Compostable Items in a Landfill?
We’re often asked the question: "Will my packaging compost in a landfill?" At first glance, the answer is straightforward - no. But as with many things, the longer answer is a little more complex. The terms biodegradable and compostable are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. The real question many are hinting at [...]
Ensuring the Success of Compostable Packaging
PART 1: What Makes Compostability Certification Effective? Read More PART 2: Ensuring the Success of Compostable Packaging Over one-third of all plastic produced is used for packaging, and most will end up in landfills. While compostable packaging offers a promising solution, the real challenge lies beyond just achieving certification. It's time for sustainable brand owners to take the [...]
What Makes Compostability Certification Effective?
PART 1: What Makes Compostability Certification Effective? PART 2: Ensuring the Success of Compostable Packaging Read More Compostable packaging reduces the need for plastic, diverts waste away from landfills, and ultimately helps to create a beneficial end product - compost! Manufacturers of compostable products validate compostability claims by testing and certifying their materials. These tests are done in a [...]
The History of Composting - The Modern Journey
In the early days of U.S. agriculture, the vast expanse of fertile land made it easy for farmers to overlook the long-term benefits of sustainable farming practices. The abundant, nutrient-rich land led many to believe that practices like composting weren't necessary. Over time this mindset resulted in the depletion of essential soil nutrients, causing a [...]
The History of Composting - Stone Age to Revolutionary America
The history of composting is a fascinating journey through time! This nutrient-rich soil amendment does more than recycle organic waste; it breathes life back into depleted soils and enhances overall soil health. Early man used decomposed organic matter to improve the soil, and farming populations around the world used natural fertilizers like manure and compost. This first [...]
Are Produce Stickers Biodegradable?
The Hidden Plastic Problem: Produce Stickers Have you ever wondered about the tiny stickers on your fresh produce? Every time you buy fruits and vegetables, you're inadvertently bringing home more than just food – you're bringing home tiny pieces of plastic. At first glance, these produce stickers might seem harmless, but their impact on composting and the [...]
