Featured Archives - Reimagine Takeout https://reimaginetakeout.com/category/featured/ Compostables, Not Plastic Trash Fri, 07 Oct 2022 02:23:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://reimaginetakeout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cropped-colorlogo-32x32.png Featured Archives - Reimagine Takeout https://reimaginetakeout.com/category/featured/ 32 32 197275016 I have a compostable container – what should I do with it? https://reimaginetakeout.com/i-have-a-compostable-container-what-should-i-do-with-it/ Wed, 18 Aug 2021 20:08:15 +0000 http://reimaginetakeout.com/?page_id=322 First: Don’t put it into recycling!! When compostable containers are placed in the recycling stream, they cause contamination and may result in other items not […]

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I have a compostable container – what should I do with it?

First:

Don't put it into recycling!!

When compostable containers are placed in the recycling stream, they cause contamination and may result in other items not being recycled.

Is the container marked with one of these certification logos??

If your container isn’t marked and you can’t find out if it’s certified then put it in your curbside trash for the landfill. You don’t want to contaminate composting streams with non-compostable items.

 

Be skeptical of biodegradable or “eco” labels with no certification. These products may visibly break down eventually but they may put toxins in the soil. Items should be certified compostable and meet ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868 standards. If you can’t verify, put in your curbside trash for the landfill.

 

Great! Keep reading to find a composting channel.

What to do with your container:

Do you already compost at home?

You could probably compost the container in your own compost setup but it may take a year or more to break down. If you try this, shred the container as much as possible before adding it to your composter. If you are getting containers multiple times a week or your composter has limited space, you may want to consider a commercial composting solution (keep reading.)

Interested in learning more? Check out the “Get Started Composting” guide.

Do you have a curbside composting service?

Consider joining a service, or keep reading.
There are a few local services which provide curbside pickup of food scraps and compostable items from Pittsburgh residents.  Typically these services provide you with a bucket which you fill with your waste and then the service picks up weekly. These services may also offer you access to the finished compost for your garden! Always remember to check what items your composting service accepts so that you don’t contaminate the compost material.

See if they’ll take it.
Always remember to double-check what items your composting service accepts but if the container is certified-compostable, they’ll likely take it.

Are you willing to drop off your container somewhere local for composting?

Great! Drop it off!
Great! Here are some options for places to take your container.

Landfill it.
Put in your curbside trash for the landfill.

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How can I get started with composting? https://reimaginetakeout.com/how-can-i-get-started-with-composting/ Wed, 18 Aug 2021 18:43:23 +0000 http://reimaginetakeout.com/?p=256 Composting is easier than you think! First decide what form of composting you are interested in: I want to compost outside in my yard This […]

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Composting is easier than you think! First decide what form of composting you are interested in:

This is typically aerobic composting and is the easiest form of composting to get started. It relies on oxygen-breathing microorganisms to break down items. When done correctly, it generates heat of about 140 F which helps eliminate odor and kills most plant pathogens or seeds, resulting in good soil compost appropriate for home garden use. Usually this method uses a compost container to keep wildlife from being attracted to the food scraps. If you have a larger area of land, there are also compost variations that involve directly sowing food waste into trenches or holes. Products like compost tumblers are readily available, but using a tumbler tends not to get as hot as a traditional pile, so it will take longer for your food scraps to break down.

Want to learn more about backyard composting? Take advantage of these local programs:

  • This is typically vermicomposting and uses a particular species of worms (red wriggler or red earthworm) with a special container. The worms eat the food, creating the compost through their digestion waste. This form of composting has stricter moisture, temperature, and item requirements as a poor environment can kill the worms or create odors. 
  • Another indoor composting option is called bokashi. This type of composting is actually a form of fermentation done in an anaerobic environment. While convenient because it works quickly and can be done indoors, this form of composting takes some know-how, and the finished product does need to be buried or added to an outdoor compost pile to finish breaking down, so it may not be an ideal solution, particularly for beginners.

There are a few local services which provide curbside pickup of food scraps and compostable items from Pittsburgh residents.  Typically these services provide you with a bucket which you fill with your waste and then the service picks up weekly. These services may also offer you access to the finished compost for your garden!

Events, particularly events with food, are often a huge source of plastic trash. PRC provides a couple options for easily making your next event compost friendly.

For smaller events (under 500) you could also consider renting reusable dishes and cutlery:

If you have a larger area of land available, such as a farm or a community garden, you can create a larger aerobic composting setup or even compost variations that involve directly sowing food waste into trenches or holes. Grow Pittsburgh offers a Master Composting course that is designed to help folks get started with these larger-scale composting approaches.

  • Consider where you live, how much space you have (indoors and outdoors), and what level of commitment you are prepared to make. If you live in the City of Pittsburgh, you may have access to a high-quality curbside composting service, so you can take the easy route! Just check with the compost service about what kinds of items they accept and how/when they will pick up your scraps. 
  • If you live in a neighborhood or area that isn’t serviced, but you have some outdoor space, you can compost yourself! Make sure you’re adding both greens (kitchen scraps, yard clippings) and browns (dried leaves, straw, cardboard, or paper) and introducing oxygen by turning the pile. Make sure you are in compliance with your neighborhood or HOA’s rules (Pittsburgh’s city code can be found here), but as long as you are mindful about what you add to your pile and how close you put it to your neighbors’ property, you should have no problems.
  • Maybe you can’t get a composting service, but you live in an apartment or you don’t have available outdoor space. Community gardens will sometimes accept compostable organic material, but they may only take yard clippings, so you’ll have more luck with vermicomposting. If you’re interested in starting composting in your local community garden- Grow Pittsburgh has a Master Composter course to help individuals or groups succeed. You can buy vermicomposting starter kits online, and once you get the worms acclimated, they’ll become like friends that provide you with excellent, nutrient-dense soil for your houseplants and garden.

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Businesses Using Compostables https://reimaginetakeout.com/businesses-using-compostables/ Wed, 18 Aug 2021 17:52:07 +0000 http://reimaginetakeout.com/?page_id=252 Who’s supporting composting in Pittsburgh?

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Who's supporting composting in Pittsburgh?

Showing 1 - 20 of 23
Turn waste into fertilizer and electricity
Pittsburgh's Residential Compost Exchange Service
Purposeful composting. Positively impacting climate change.
Vegetarian restaurant and antique/vintage store
Bringing compostables collection to one business… one household at a time
Providing necessities as food, clothing and energy assistance to Wilkinsburg
Pick up your favorite craft beer and a bite to eat
Providing composting services to the City of Pittsburgh and beyond
Full service natural and organic food market

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