I get where you’re coming from with the mailers. I’ve had a couple that looked “eco” but felt like plastic-wrapped cardboard, which just feels sketchy. Here’s what I do:
Step one, if it crinkles or has that weird shine, it goes in the trash, not the compost. Step two, if there’s any kind of label or sticker, I peel it off—those things never break down right. Step three, if it smells like anything other than plain paper (sometimes they have this odd chemical scent?), I skip it for compost too.
Honestly, I’d rather miss out on a little extra compost than end up with some mystery goo in my veggie beds. Maybe I’m being a bit paranoid, but after seeing plastic bits turn up in my old compost pile, I’m not risking it again. If companies want us to trust these mailers, they need to make them as obvious as brown cardboard... until then, I’m sticking to what I know won’t mess up my soil.
- I’m right there with you on being picky about what goes in the compost. I’ve had stuff labeled “compostable” that never broke down, just sat there looking sad for months.
- I’m extra careful since we just got our first garden beds going. Not risking plastic bits or weird chemicals.
- Do you folks do anything special to keep your compost safe from stuff like that? Like a separate pile for questionable material, or just straight to trash if it’s iffy?
- I sometimes worry about the stuff we can’t see—microplastics and all. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but I’d rather play it safe.
- I keep two piles—one for stuff I know is safe (kitchen scraps, yard waste) and a “questionable” pile for anything labeled compostable but looks suspicious. If it doesn’t break down after a season, I just toss it.
- Those “compostable” plastics are hit or miss. Some need commercial facilities, not backyard temps.
- Microplastics are a legit concern. I avoid anything with coatings or that feels plasticky, even if it claims to be plant-based.
- Honestly, if I’m not sure, it’s not worth risking the garden beds. I’d rather have less compost than weird residue in my soil.
Ditching the black tank is a bold move, respect. I’ve been on the fence about switching to a dry loo setup myself, but the whole composting side of things is what keeps me second-guessing. I get what you’re saying about being picky with what goes in the pile. I’ve had my own run-ins with “compostable” stuff that just... doesn’t. Like, I tossed in some of those so-called compostable cutlery pieces last summer, and they looked exactly the same six months later. Not even a dent. Ended up fishing them out and chucking them in the trash.
This bit really hits home for me:
Microplastics are a legit concern. I avoid anything with coatings or that feels plasticky, even if it claims to be plant-based.
I’m right there with you. There’s just too much greenwashing going on. If something feels even a little off—slick, shiny, or just weirdly tough—I don’t trust it. I’d rather play it safe than end up with plastic bits in my tomatoes. Some of my friends think I’m being paranoid, but honestly, once you see how long some of that stuff lingers, it’s hard to unsee.
One thing I’ve noticed is that even some paper products can be sketchy. Had a batch of “compostable” coffee cups that left behind this gummy residue. Turns out they had some kind of lining that wasn’t breaking down at all. Now I just stick to plain brown paper and cardboard, nothing glossy or coated.
I get wanting to maximize your compost, but like you said, “if I’m not sure, it’s not worth risking the garden beds.” I’d rather have a smaller pile of good stuff than a big pile full of mystery gunk. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but after seeing what doesn’t break down, I’m not taking chances.
Curious if anyone’s actually had luck with those bioplastics in a backyard setup? Because from what I’ve seen, they’re mostly hype unless you’ve got an industrial composter in your backyard... which, let’s be real, most of us don’t.