The document summarizes an experiment testing the biodegradability of various disposable food containers in a backyard garden over five months. Two cardboard containers completely broke down, while wax-coated paper cups showed some change. A compostable plastic cup and biodegradable foam showed no visible changes. Surprisingly, an additive in the foam mutated and grew into an edible and healthy herb, demonstrating the potential for disposable products to biodegrade and provide benefits. The experiment highlights the need for commercial composting facilities to fully break down many "eco-friendly" containers within a year.

1. The Biodegradagarden: An experiment in disposable container technology

2. Day One: Planted 4 types of biodegradable disposable containers

3. Day One: Planted 4 types of biodegradable disposable containers

4. The containers are all marketed as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional disposable food containers

5. This experiment seeks to find out if these materials will decompose in a backyard garden environment

6. My hypothesis is that the containers will not break down in this environment within one year’s time

7. And that the materials require a commercial composting facility to completely biodegrade in less than 1 year

8. In most landfills these containers would not receive the adequate amount of oxygen, heat, or water that they need to decompose in a timely manner

9. Will the containers fare better in the garden conditions? Will they decompose before my lease is up? Lacking a commercial composting facility, what is the ideal way to dispose of these materials? Should one consider refusing disposable containers rather than pondering these questions?

10. Maximum Estimated Time of Decomposition for Disposable Containers (in months) According to manufacturer

11. One month later - very little change in above ground appearance, decided not to dig up for observation

12. Five months after planting

13. The two cardboard containers completely disintegrated below the ground

14. Not a trace was left in the soil

16. The wax-coated cold cups showed some change, while the compostable plastic cup showed no change

18. The cold cup containers are made of paper and a wax coating called Ingeo™ biopolymer (plant-derived polylactic acid or PLA)

19. According to the manufacturer these containers should ideally be composted to biodegrade, but some changes did occur in the garden - particularly in the paper

20. This cup is made of PLA (polylactic acid - derived from corn starch) and should decompose completely in less than 6 months in a commercial facility

21. In a home composting environment, biodegradation could take up to a year or more In these garden conditions, no discernible change has occurred in 5 months and it is reasonable to assume that it may take years to decompose In a landfill it would take decades 1 1.Worldcentric.org (the manufacturer)

22. The biodegradable foam, made of traditional polypropylene or polystyrene plastic along with an additive called AOC also showed no visible changes

23. The AOC (Active Organic Catalyst) additive is designed to interact with microorganisms present in compost, landfills, soil, and even oceans, lakes and forests

24. The additive acts as a catalyst to encourage microorganisms to break the material down into soil The company does not specify how long the biodegradation process should take for this product, but estimates assume up to 2 years in home compost and 1 year in a commercial facility

25. Percentage of Decomposition in the Biodegradagarden Over a Period of 5 months

26. The containers were replanted for further observation

27. A few weeks later…..

28. Something very interesting happened

34. The chemical AOC additive had mutated the plastic and grown into an edible herb Enviroware, the manufacturer of these foam containers, has named the product of this new phenomenon Enviroherb™ Recent studies have shown the herb to reduce cholesterol levels, boost immunity and help protect against memory loss, while providing a good source of antioxidants and magnesium

35. Try Enviroherb™ in soups, on salads, or use it in a marinade - you can even make Enviroherb™ tea

36. If your foodservice provider still uses “traditional” disposable containers ask that they switch to Enviroware™ - the only plantable disposable container on the market

37. In conclusion This experiment has proven that this time the “lesser of two evils” in disposable container products has literally risen from the ground to become, in fact, a good - and a delicious one at that!

38. Thank You