The Claim: 100% Compostable. Really?

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The cup claims to be 100% compostable.  I've read these types of cups really only compost in commercial composting operations. 

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However, I'm going to see what happens in with my semi-anaerobic trash barrel composting method.  I've been dumping a bucket or two of clippings into the trash barrel for months and months now, haven't harvested a bit, but there always seems to be room for more clippings every few days.  I've started thinking of it as more of a digestor or worm-bin than as a true composter.  It's full of very happy earthworms.

Worn-out trash barrel recycled as a composter:
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In it goes:
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I'll be checking on the decomposition process of the cup, and update you on how fast it does or doesn't decompose.  In the meantime, Hydrangea 'Ayesha', looking like a pink river, and Sedum radicans.  Hard to get a beauty shot of a composter.

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Update 12/20/2012 -- nearly 18 months after the original post.  I finally harvested that bin of compost.  The cup hasn't broken down all that much.  How will it look in another 18 months?
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 Update 4/29/2013:  The cup has broken into strips but each strip is still totally recognizable.  Slow indeed.  Back into the pile you go...

Comments

  1. hoover boo...what a great name. Is that your real name? I looked at your post on photography. Your carex photos were great. The sedum stems are unigue. late.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks greggo! Here are some pictures of the real Hoover:

    http://pieceofeden.blogspot.com/2009/11/happy-rebirthday.html

    ReplyDelete

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