RECYCLE, COMPOSTE AND BIODEGRADE: UNDERSTANDING THE ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

In a constantly changing world, growing awareness of environmental issues has sparked widespread awareness of the urgency of preserving our planet.

Over the decades, industrialization, overconsumption and unsustainable lifestyles have had a devastating impact on the environment. The effects of climate change, deforestation, air and water pollution, as well as the disappearance of animal and plant species, are being felt on a global scale.

Faced with these major challenges, individuals, communities, businesses and governments are increasingly aware of their collective responsibility in preserving the planet and are looking for solutions to put in place to gradually reverse the trend.

Thus, technological advances, innovations in renewable energy, sustainable agricultural practices, development of eco-friendly materials and awareness efforts, are helping to gradually shape a global movement towards sustainability.

And it’s clear that more and more people are adopting eco-friendly lifestyles by recycling more, reducing their energy consumption, choosing sustainable products and supporting eco-friendly businesses and initiatives.

Recycling, composting and the use of biodegradable products are three practices that are attracting growing interest. This is why we are led to question the potential advantages and disadvantages of each of them, as ecological solutions.

Recycling is an essential process that aims to transform solid waste into reusable raw materials or finished products. It is an environmentally friendly practice that helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, while preserving natural resources and reducing the environmental impact of production.

The recycling process usually begins with the selective collection of recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal. These materials are then sent to sorting centers where they are separated according to their composition and category.

Once sorted, the recyclable materials are transformed into raw materials which will be used to manufacture new products. For example, recycled paper can be used to make new packaging, recycled plastic can be transformed into textile fibers or new bottles, and recycled glass can be melted down to create new containers.

Recycling has many benefits for the environment and society:

• Conservation of natural resources:  By recycling materials, we reduce our dependence on limited natural resources, such as minerals, oil and trees. This helps preserve these resources for future generations.
• Waste reduction: Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, thereby reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Energy saving : Manufacturing products from recycled materials often requires less energy than producing from virgin raw materials, thereby contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Although recycling has many advantages, it is not without limitations:

• Collection and sorting costs:  setting up efficient recycling infrastructure requires significant investments, which can prove to be a real challenge for certain regions, particularly rural areas or developing countries. Additionally, fluctuating prices of recyclable materials in the global market can make recycling operations economically unstable.
• Contamination of materials: If recyclable materials are mixed with other waste that is not recyclable or poorly sorted, their quality and value will decrease considerably. Most of the contamination comes from consumer negligence during sorting, or the absence of an adequate sorting process in the recycling centers provided for this purpose.
• Technological limits:  some complex or mixed substances may be difficult to recycle with current technologies. This concerns certain plastic products, electronic products, medical waste, and certain types of textiles.

The advantages of reusable are therefore multiple and clearly align with preserving the environment and reducing our ecological footprint. By adopting a conscious approach to consumption and favoring reusable products, we can collectively contribute to building a more sustainable future that respects our planet.

At Flycup, we opt for a food packaging solution made in kraft and recyclable cardboard with the aim of reducing the carbon emissions generated by the catering part of our clients: football stadiums and performance halls.

Our entire range was therefore designed to meet the new environmental and social requirements sought by clubs and other large-scale events in a desire to reduce waste.

However, keen to adapt to new legal and sporting regulations (because federations are also adopting standards and regulations in favor of greener sport), we are currently working on a new range of reusable packaging so that clubs can still reduce their carbon footprint, already reduced by 28% thanks to our recyclable cardboard solutions, compared to packaging traditionally used in refreshment bars.

Compostable refers to products and materials designed to decompose naturally and quickly in a composting environment. Unlike biodegradable products which may require specific conditions to degrade, compostable products break down into compost, a rich organic material used as a natural fertilizer.

These products are usually made from plant-based raw materials, such as corn starch, sugar cane or bamboo. When composted correctly, compostable products leave no harmful residue in the soil, helping to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly life cycle.

• Waste reduction:  One of the main benefits of compostable is its ability to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. By being composted rather than thrown away, these products help divert a significant portion of organic waste from landfills, helping to minimize pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with anaerobic decomposition of waste.
• Soil enrichment: Compost obtained from compostable products is a soil amendment naturally rich in essential nutrients. When used as a fertilizer, it improves soil structure, promotes water retention and builds plant resistance to disease. Enriching the soil with compost also helps preserve biodiversity and the overall health of ecosystems.
• Ecological alternative:  Opting for compostable products is an ecological approach that supports the transition to a circular and sustainable economy. Unlike single-use petroleum-derived plastics, compostable products are made from renewable resources and offer a more environmentally friendly alternative, helping to preserve terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

• Specific composting conditions: For compostable products to degrade effectively, they require proper composting conditions, such as the presence of oxygen and adequate temperature. If these conditions are not met, compostable products may not decompose properly and end up behaving like regular waste, negating their environmental benefit.
• Production costs :  Compostable products can be more expensive to produce than single-use plastic alternatives. Their manufacture from plant raw materials may require more complex processing processes, which may result in higher production costs. However, it is important to consider these costs in light of the environmental benefits and long-term positive impact they bring.
• Waste management : collecting and composting compostable products can pose logistical and infrastructure challenges in some regions. Establishing separate collection systems and adequate composting centers may require investments in time and resources for municipalities and businesses. Close collaboration between public and private actors is essential to overcome these challenges and enable effective management of compostable waste.

Compostable products therefore offer significant advantages for reducing waste and preserving the environment. However, to reap the full benefits, it is essential to have appropriate composting systems in place.

Biodegradable refers to products or materials that can decompose naturally in the environment through the action of living organisms, such as bacteria or fungi, into simpler elements that are not harmful to nature.

Unlike traditional plastic products, which take hundreds of years to degrade, biodegradable products are designed to disintegrate relatively quickly, reducing their lifespan in the environment.

Biodegradable products are made from renewable organic materials, such as corn, sugar cane, starch or plant fibers. They are designed for use in applications similar to conventional plastic products, such as bags, food packaging and cutlery.

However, it is important to note that the biodegradation of some products depends on specific conditions, such as exposure to air, water or heat, and some products do not readily biodegrade in the natural environment , especially if they are discarded inappropriately. Biodegradable necessarily implies a controlled industrial environment.

• Natural decomposition:  Unlike traditional petroleum-derived plastics, which can take centuries to degrade, biodegradable products disintegrate relatively quickly under the influence of microorganisms and appropriate environmental conditions. These microorganisms, transforming them into simple organic compounds such as carbon dioxide, water and biomass.
• Waste reduction: Properly disposed of in industrial composting facilities or under appropriate natural conditions, these products can be degraded in a short period of time. This rapid decomposition helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and thus helps reduce pressure on these landfill sites, which can be a source of pollution and greenhouse gases.
• Lower carbon footprint:  Some biodegradable products are made from renewable raw materials, such as plants, which can be grown sustainably. The production of these materials can thus lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, helping to combat climate change.

Please note that some forms of biodegradable product production can still result in a significant carbon footprint, depending on the raw materials used and manufacturing processes. Therefore, a comprehensive life cycle assessment approach is necessary to fully assess the environmental impact of biodegradable products and favor those with the best ecological performance.

• Specific decomposition conditions:  While some biodegradable products can break down efficiently in industrial composting facilities, others may have difficulty breaking down in natural environments such as oceans or soils. When certain conditions are not met, the decomposition of biodegradable products can be considerably slowed down or even hindered, thus leading to prolonged persistence of these products in the environment.
• Low durability:  Some biodegradable products may suffer from poor durability, which limits their long-term usefulness. For example, some biodegradable paper or cardboard items can degrade quickly when exposed to moisture or adverse weather conditions, rendering them unusable before their expected end of life. Likewise, some biodegradable alternatives may not have the same robustness and resistance as their traditional plastic counterparts, which could affect their performance in certain contexts, such as food packaging or disposable products used repeatedly.
• Potential chemical pollution:  Although biodegradable products are designed to break down into natural substances, their breakdown can sometimes result in the release of harmful chemicals into the environment. For example, some biodegradable products can break down into microplastics, which can be ingested by marine wildlife and cause ecological damage. Additionally, the decomposition of some biodegradable products can produce potentially harmful greenhouse gases or chemical byproducts.

So while biodegradable has significant benefits in terms of natural decomposition, waste reduction and carbon footprint, it also has drawbacks that need to be considered.

Specific decomposition conditions, low durability and potential chemical pollution are all factors that require a thoughtful and responsible approach to the use and management of biodegradable products.

Each approach – recycling, composting and biodegradable – has its strengths and weaknesses, and there is no single solution to solve all environmental problems. However, by combining these practices in a balanced way and encouraging collective awareness and commitment to sustainable solutions, we can move towards a future that is more respectful of our planet.

By working hand in hand with our customers, we can create a more sustainable future together by developing new tailor-made ranges to meet the new needs linked to the CSR policies of clubs and performance halls. The ambition is to have a lasting impact on future generations and preserve our planet for years to come.