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Can you compost paper plates? As we know, paper can be excellent for compost since it’s a wonderful source of carbon. With that in mind, not all types of paper might deliver the results you want. So, you’ll have to be mindful about what you’re composting to ensure that you get the best possible results.
Should You Compost Paper Plates?
The short answer is yes. Uncoated paper plates are compostable, and they can bring in a good amount of carbon to your compost. But you do need to keep something in mind. You should not compost your paper plates if they are poly-coated or have any special chemicals (e.g., ink).
Poly-coating (or any plastic coating) brings a layer of plastic on top of the paper plates. But, as we know, plastic takes years and years to break down.
As a result, paper plates with any plastic layer are not compostable. Some plates can have chemicals designed to make the plate more durable. Unfortunately, this will contaminate your soil and damage your plants.
Work Only with A Small Amount
You can’t just compost all your paper plates at once, especially if you have many of them. The best thing you can do is work with a smaller amount of plates over a longer amount of time.
In addition, if you want to have a healthy compost pile, you have to rely on regular turning. Regular turning makes it easy to disperse heat in the core, and it will also help distribute the microorganisms working hard to break everything down.
Another good idea is to remove any food that’s not compost-friendly. Dairy and meat are good examples here.
Of course, you also want to tear the paper plates and ensure that you have them broken down into small pieces. The plates will break down faster when you have smaller pieces, and the composting process will move much quicker.
Can Dixie Paper Plates Be Composted?
It depends. Dixie states that you can commercially compost their Ultra paper plates, but we do not recommend using them in your compost at home. Studies have shown that these plates can take much longer to decompose than regular paper, which can be difficult to manage.
Are Paper Plates Biodegradable?
Biodegradable products are those that can decompose naturally and contribute to the natural recycling process. Most paper plates are biodegradable.
Different brands and variations or paper plates will biodegrade at different rates. Therefore, for optimal effectiveness, you’ll need to have them disposed of at a specific commercial facility.
Check with your local municipality for details on how you can dispose of your items safely.
HOWEVER, biodegradable paper plates are not always compostable. Just because they are meant to biodegrade, does not mean they are meant for your compost pile.
How Long Do Paper Plates Take to Decompose?
On average, it can take about six months for paper plates to decompose in compost, but this may vary depending on the quality and thickness of the plate. In the right compost conditions, paper plates can decompose in as little as six weeks.
If littered on the street, however, paper plates can take years until they finally decompose.
Is Coated Paper Compostable?
A coated paper plate is not technically compostable. Although it does break down in a landfill, the process takes so long that recycling or re-using your plates are much more environmentally friendly and sustainable options.
The coating on some disposable dishes helps them hold up better during dishwashing cycles, but the tradeoff for this durability is the environmental impact.
The chemicals found in these coatings can be toxic when disposed of improperly—potentially contaminating soil and water near the landfills they’re dumped into.
Can Coated Paper Plates Be Recycled?
Some coated plates are made of paper coated in a layer of polymers to prevent them from breaking down.
In general, your local food waste recycling program for disposal will not accept these plates because they’re not designed or intended to break down in the environment.
Some materials used on coatings may also concern that some materials may contaminate other recyclables during processing and should only be disposed of as garbage.
If you were to recycle your coated paper plates, the process would take an extremely long time due to their thickness and material.
If your paper plate is uncoated or made from corn, bamboo, sugarcane, banana leaves, etc., then yes – these have a better chance at breaking down in the environment and should be recycled.
It’s important to know which type of plate you’re recycling so it can be disposed of correctly!
The production process of some coatings involves toxic chemicals like BPA (Bisphenol A), phthalates, benzene, formaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds.
If you are unsure of how to dispose of your paper plate (coated or not), check with your local recycling agency. There is a good chance that your city has recycling guidelines for disposing of different materials like compostable and recyclable products. They will know exactly what types of materials you can and should recycle.
Remember, going green and reducing pollution doesn’t mean recycling anything and everything; it means properly recycling the correct things! So, only recycle paper plates when the manufacturer indicates that you can.
What Should I Do with My Leftover Coated Paper Plates?
As discussed earlier in this article, you shouldn’t compost or recycle leftover coated paper plates. So, what should you do with them?
Instead, you can give them a second life by donating them to food banks or homeless shelters that might use paper plates in their kitchens and dining areas. Or, give them to a friend or neighbor who could use paper plates for their next outdoor party or event.
How to Compost Paper Plates
Composting paper plates is pretty simple. A few key steps as a reminder.
A few additional tips:
- Don’t use plates with chemicals or coatings.
- Break down the paper plates into very small pieces. Shredding works best.
- Don’t compost used and dirty paper plates that have absorbed food oils or grease. These oils and greases can contaminate your compost and can start to attract unwanted pests and rodents.
- If you have paper plates with some leftover crumbs, you can rinse the plate off before composting.
- Always place paper plates in your compost bin with other biodegradable organic materials.
- Avoid doing too much at once. Adding too much paper at once can throw off the balance of your compost pile.
- Make sure you’re adding other organic materials that will give you the proper organic ratio balance.
Conclusion
You can start composting paper plates but make sure that they are only made out of paper. Any paper plates with chemicals or any plastic layers will not be suitable for composting.
As long as you keep that in mind, you won’t have to worry about much else.
It’s essential to check the label when you buy paper plates as it will tell you if they are compostable or not.
It can take some time to learn, but getting comfortable with what you can or can’t compost is definitely worth it! Your garden will thank you!