On Tuesday, February 14th, the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee of the Minnesota House will take up HF1315. The bill sets much-needed standards for compostable labeling.
The Minnesota Composting Council is leading efforts to advance this issue and Eureka provided written testimony in support of the legislation.
Eureka has a long history with composting. We piloted and launched the first commercial composting collection program for restaurants in Minneapolis, and ran a residential pilot project in Saint Paul to explore best practices for residential composting collection. Both projects relied on commercial composting sites in Minnesota and required the education of residents about the confusing array of mislabeled products claiming composability. A strong and effective composting infrastructure across the state is a key component to a zero waste future, and mislabeled products are a threat to that.
Food waste is a significant and problematic portion of our waste stream. In a landfill, it generates methane – a greenhouse gas 25 times as potent as CO2 – and contributes to the release of dioxins in energy-intensive incinerators. Compostable food-service products can make food waste diversion more efficient and successful for residents. However, if those products are not actually compostable and do not completely break down they leave behind microplastics, PFAS, and other problematic toxins in the soil. To fully realize the benefits of composting, the end product needs to be clean, healthy, and usable for food production and erosion control. A composting system cannot work if it is contaminated by mislabeled and greenwashed products.
HF1315 provides much-needed standards for compostable product labeling, which will:
- Reduce operational costs for composters
- Reduce confusion of food establishments that accidentally buy misleading products from manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers.
- Reduce confusion for residents participating in organics recycling programs.
- Support compostable product manufacturers in the State, and elsewhere, who already clearly label products.
Share this story
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email
More from Eureka
Authentic Solutions to Plastic Pollution: A Plastic Free July Webinar & Film Screening
July 26, 2024
No Comments
Join us on Wednesday, July 3st, at 2pm CT for the film screening and discussion. Reduce, reuse, then recycle: this
Repair Independence
July 17, 2024
No Comments
It is Time to Assert Your Right to Repair Your Own Stuff! On July 1st, the Digital Fair Repair Act
Minnesota Passes Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging
May 20, 2024
No Comments
Minnesota just became the fifth state to pass Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging. The Packaging Waste & Cost Reduction
Strengthening the Economy and Environment Through Aluminum Recycling
February 28, 2024
No Comments
The Importance of Aluminum Recycling Although aluminum is the most abundant element in the earth’s crust and the third most