Plastics Redux

Yesterday, I posted an entry about the LA Times "Altered Ocean" series and the ultra-depressing article about the great gyres of plastic detritus swirling in the Pacific. Only fitting, then, that today I link to a much more cheerful article in USA Today about the mainstreaming of biodegradable plastics and featuring quotes from Sierra magazine's Paul Rauber.

The article, which specifically deals with disposable dinnerware, reports that, with stores like Sam's Club to Walgreens now selling the stuff, bio-plastics are starting to put a dent in what the paper says is a $30 billion global market for paper and plastic disposables. According to one expert, "Sales of eco-friendly plates, cups and cutlery could top $500 million in 2006 and $1 billion by 2008."

But the story may overreach slightly in stating that the biodegradable plastic "disappears in a compost pile as organic matter, water and carbon dioxide within 180 days." According to an excellent feature article by Elizabeth Royte in this month's Smithsonian, the truth is, alas, more complicated; that is to say, the plastic will degrade to organic matter, yes, but only in a "controlled composting environment." And what's that mean?

Not your backyard bin, pit or tumbling barrel. It's a large facility where compost--essentially, plant scraps being digested by microbes into fertilizer--reaches 140 degrees for ten consecutive days. So, yes, as PLA advocates say, corn plastic is "biodegradable." But in reality very few consumers have access to the sort of composting facilities that can make that happen.

How few? According to Royte's research, fewer than thirty facilities nationwide.

But I don't want to ruin the picnic for anyone. And neither does Royte. In the end, her article takes a measured but positive position. Biodegradable plastics may be problematic, sure, but as one of her sources urges, "let's not kill the good pursuituit of the perfect." Hear, hear.

For now, as Rauber tells USA Today, the green choice is still reusables.