Today the Oregonian reported that Portland businesses will have fewer options for composting soon.  It turns out that composting, like all recycling, is very dependent on sorting.  In order to get the most profitable composting operation – and actually make it a viable business – you need a predictable, clean supply of raw material.

Here is a link to the article for more details.

For most composting businesses, food scraps are the perfect ingredient.  Unfortunately, mixing in PLA based (compostable) cups, spoons, forks, knives and plates really hurts the quality of the composting process.  Although these ‘green’ flatware, cups and plates are technically compostable, they don’t break down at the same rate as food scraps.  And, because it is hard to identify every item in the waste stream, plastic and wax coated cups, boxes, and plates were being mixed into the business compost.

Sadly, because the quality of the raw material has been so poor for the compost processing plants, they have had to spend an unacceptable amount of time sorting their incoming waste – which makes it harder and harder to ‘make green’ while being green.

For now, the Portland compost program will scale back to residential only.  No more business compost for now, which will have great impact on local natural food producers, organic restaurants, and several other local green businesses.

We aren’t true recycling or composting experts, but we do work every day to make our business more eco-friendly. We are happy to share our success stories with you.  Please call us today if we can help you become a more ‘green’ business.