Landfill
Vegware’s products are compostable, though to see the true benefits of such materials, we need to change the way in which we dispose of organic waste.
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So what does happen to waste which is put into landfill? Well, the answer is (pretty much) nothing.
In fact, landfill sites are designed in such a way as stop things breaking down, to prevent pollutants entering the environment. Landfills are typically sited where the ground is naturally impermeable and then lined with plastic or clay to prevent leachate (potentially toxic landfill 'juice') seeping into groundwater.
Once full, landfills are sealed with a further layer of clay or soil, creating a relatively oxygen-free, dry environment. These are almost exactly the opposite of the conditions required for composting.
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Landfill is a useful way to deal with some kinds of waste, though most of the material which is currently consigned to landfill could be recycled and given a whole new lease of life. The European Union has recognized this, and created the Landfill Directive which is designed to increase the amount of waste which is recycled.
Until April 1st 2010, the gate fee for landfill will be around £40 / tonne in the UK, though the Landfill Directive means that the cost of landfill will increase by £12 / tonne per year until 2012. Compare that to the cost of commercial composting of around £50 / tonne, which may in fact reduce as the industry develops, and you will see that organics recycling is the future!
