Compostable vs. Degradable: Know the difference!

With interest in composting on the rise, one question I get asked a lot is the difference between products that are compostable versus degradable. This issue relates to various products in the OnlyGreen catalogue.

Compostable products, such as OnlyGreen’s BioBags, hot cups, plates, cutlery, etc, are made from plant materials, including corn, potato, soy and sugar, which will all naturally break down in a compost environment. Under the right conditions (ie. warm and moist) these items will fully compost anywhere from 30-90 days. Using compostable products wherever possible will help to eliminate the need for landfill sites at all.

Degradable products, however, are made from traditional oil based plastics. Although these cannot be composted, they are designed to break down in a landfill setting, over a longer period of time. This gives all of the waste inside the bag a chance to decompose as well, which can reduce our landfill levels in the long run. Degradable garbage bags, such as OnlyGreen’s Bully Bags, offer a safer alternative than traditional black bags, but maintain a stronger durability.

Changing the Conversation

I had an epiphany last night as I was watching one of my favorite shows online.  We need to stop using the phrase "Save the Planet".  This big blue floating marble we call home is going to be here no matter what we do.  No matter how much we pollute the water, the air and the soil; the earth will still be here floating silently in space.  What won't be here is the plants, animals and us.

It's time we changed the conversation.  We're not saving the earth, we're saving ourselves from extinction.  I know this sounds dire, but that is the plain and simple truth of it.  In talking with people I have always put forward the idea that going green was about creating a healthier environment, but I didn't follow the thinking all the way through to the end.  This is what it's all about.

Think about this scenario; a deserted town, the inhabitants left 100 years ago, has been sitting undisturbed.  Slowly the buildings have begun to crumble and surrounding wilderness has overtaken most of what is left.  The earth will always survive.  We won't.  We can't keep dumping toxic chemicals into our water supply.  We can't keep messing with the genetic makeup of our food supply.  We can't keep releasing gases into the air that choke us.

Going green means you are saving yourself, your children and your community from becoming extinct.

You might feel overwhelmed with this revelation but there is a clear, easy way to make sure that the human race continues.  Start making small changes in the products you buy each week.  If the products on the label are ones you can't pronounce, are listed as "other" or are not recognizable, don't buy it.  Look for products that are all-natural and biodegradable. Say no to plastic water bottles and use a re-usable bottle or cup.  Take your re-usable shopping bags with you whenever you go shopping.  These are easy, easy steps that everyone can take and they will make a huge difference.  But don't stop there.  Educate yourself on the products that you use, then educate those around you.

What's on your fruits and veggies?

With a focus on 5 servings each day, it’s no secret that we all have to love our fruits and veggies. They are extremely beneficial and packed full of essential fibers and vitamins. With this in mind, we all know that they are a must in our daily intake…but how do you ensure that you are just ingesting the benefits? 

When you walk into your local grocery store, the variety of fresh produce that is available to you is astounding. However, it has to make you wonder, how do they get perfectly fresh looking strawberries in the dead of winter? What pesticides and insecticides did the producers use to grow them? What waxy, synthetic preservatives were used to keep them looking so great on their long journey to get here? 

The Environmental Working Group published a list based on a five-year analysis, completed in 2005, that shows which foods consistently scored the highest in pesticide levels and toxicity and which scored the lowest. Below are the charts with their findings, commonly called ‘The Dirty Dozen’ and ‘The Consistently Clean’ 


*Contamination was measured in six different ways and crops were ranked based on a composite score from all categories. The higher the score, the higher the pesticide load. Get the full results of the study at www.foodnews.org. SOURCE: ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP 


So how do we take better care of exactly what is going into our bodies from our necessary fruits and veggies? A couple of easy ways are to try and buy organic and locally as often as you can. You can also add a safe and high quality fruits and vegetables wash to your meal preparations.

OnlyGreen offers a new all natural Fruits and Veggies Wash, specially formulated using some of the key gentle ingredients from our popular SoapBerry line. Learn more…