How Is Compost Produced?
Compost is produced through the activity of aerobic microorganisms. These microbes require oxygen, moisture, and food in order to grow and multiply. When these factors are maintained at optimal levels, the natural decomposition process is greatly accelerated. The microbes generate heat, water vapor, and carbon dioxide as they transform raw materials into a stable soil conditioner.
The U.S. Composting Council defines industrial composting as being characterized by a high-temperature phase that sanitizes the product and allows a high rate of decomposition, followed by a lower-temperature phase that allows the product to stabilize while still decomposing at a lower rate. Compost can be produced from many “feedstocks” (raw organic materials, such as leaves, manures, food scraps, and even compostable bioplastics). State and federal regulations exist to ensure that only safe and environmentally beneficial composts are marketed.
Compost Is Valuable
Composting and mulch production have many environmental benefits, including acting as a soil amendment in residential and commercial landscapes and garden beds, due to their ability to improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Compost and mulch are gaining wide acceptance in the development and construction fields for their role in erosion control and stormwater management. Compost is increasingly used in agriculture for its ability to improve soil health and fertility. Details on the applications and benefits of composted organic materials can be found at
www.compostingcouncil.org.
Compostable plastic products must meet international standards for degradation and ecotoxicity in compost environments. Mirel resins meet the important industry standards of
ASTM D6400 for compostable bioplastics. Mirel resins have received the
Vinçotte “OK Compost” mark, a third-party certification for biodegradability in an industrial composting unit. The certification program is aligned with the standard EN 13432, which means that any product featuring the “OK Compost” mark is in accordance with the EU Packaging Directive.