Is it useful to offer biodegradable utensils if they're not returned to a composting operation? and call that 'green'
I do applaud Pizza Fusion's efforts and think they're doing a great thing with this, but the efficacy of that one element does generate some concern.
It is the general experience that such utensils are not compostable in backyard compost heaps and therefore one may question the overall utility of switching to biodegradable utensils if they're destined only for landfills.
Our local coop grocery 'chain' here in Orange Co. NC -- Weaver Street Market, has begun a take back program for its PLA take out containers so those can be funneled into the store's commercial compost collection program.
Further: in this commercial composting program, any paper take out container can be composted, so no premium needs to be paid for special biodegradable containers.
Finally: is there some definitive and 'official' parsing of the terminology biodegradable v. compostable. My lay-understanding is that biodegradable is still able to have petro-plastics in it that break down into tiny petro particles while the substrate of organic material holding the utensil, bag, etc. together does in fact compost while terming something 'compostable' means (to me) that it is 100% compostable and breaks down into only C,H,O and N simply and non-toxically and no nano petro particles are in it......anyone know the definitive answer?