Eco-Logic: Is Paper More Eco-friendly than Plastic?

Fill ’Er Up

Just what does degrade in a landfill? Not much. Landfills are designed to keep solid waste from degrading. This containment prevents the formation of harmful gases and bacteria that can leach toxic substances into the water supply and pollute the air. In fact, landfills are covered with dirt to keep out the oxygen and moisture that bacteria thrive on.

Indeed, in a 1980s landmark analysis of landfill content, archaeologist William Rathje of the University of Arizona found newspaper buried for decades that was completely readable, and food such as bananas that was almost intact. He also found that disposable diapers, with the exception of their outer layer, degraded no more slowly than much of the landfill’s paper and took up no more space.

Composting encourages biodegradation. This is because the material in a compost heap is food for the microorganisms present. The more microbial life there is to consume the biodegradable material, the faster material decomposes.

Where recycling is not economically or technically feasible, non-recyclable and solid-paper products such as paper napkins, cups and plates, pizza boxes, and coffee filters provide composting benefits when combined with other organics, according to the American Forest and Paper Association. National Starch and Chemical Company’s Eco-Foam loosefill also is said to be readily biodegradable in compost heaps.