Biodegradable Lawn & Leaf Bags
Plastic bags are killing the planet. A swirling vortex of trash in the North Pacific Ocean is testament to the longevity of the traditional plastic bag in the environment. Landfills are filling up, and the cost of dumping at the landfills continues to climb. Municipalities are having to cope with the dual concerns of environmental stewardship and cost. By buying and using biodegradable lawn and leaf bags, you can contribute to the solution. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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All biodegradable bags are not created equal, however. They are composed of different materials, some of paper and some of plastic. There is also a distinction between "biodegradable" and "compostable." A compostable bag must be able to degrade at the same rate as cellulose, whereas a biodegradable bag may take longer.
How They Work
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Biodegradable bags degrade because of bacteria and fungi feeding on the material. Even the best bag won't degrade in normal landfill conditions, though. Landfills "entomb" trash by not letting moisture, air and sunlight in. Even highly degradable items such as newspapers do not degrade in landfills. Biodegradable bags don't readily degrade in a home composting environment, either. They require the conditions present in a large-scale composting operation.
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Considerations
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Some municipalities have taken steps to reduce or eliminate traditional plastic bags, notably San Francisco, Seattle, and Springfield, Illinois. The infrastructure to deal with composting yard waste has to exist before biodegradable bags can have an impact. Biodegradable bags are significantly more expensive than traditional plastic bags, so consumers must have motives other than cost savings to use them.
Economics
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Manufacturers must also have incentives to produce the bags. The market for biodegradable bags continues to grow, with compost bags leading the way. The major factors influencing the United States are legislation and landfill pricing, according to the consultancy firm BCC, and neither of these is expected to change dramatically within the next few years.
Where to Find
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There are many different brands of bags from which to choose, and they are readily available in hardware and home improvement stores and online. There are accessories as well. There are stands to hold the bags upright, and large funnels that make loading the bags easier. If your local community supports yard waste composting, using biodegradable lawn and leaf bags can be a positive step toward environmental stewardship.
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References
- Photo Credit Leaves image by Simon from Fotolia.com
