In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the complexities surrounding the composting of disposable compostable packaging, ultimately leaning towards a policy that would only accept food waste for composting. The recycling coordinator highlighted the challenges posed by potential contamination from non-compostable materials brought in by residents and businesses, emphasizing the risks associated with chemical contaminants, particularly PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

A notable case presented involved a study conducted at the Common Ground Fair in Maine, which revealed that composting food waste alongside packaging resulted in significantly elevated PFAS levels in the resulting dairy manure compost. In contrast, food waste composted with wood chips showed negligible PFAS levels. This finding raises concerns about the safety of composting practices that include packaging materials.

The discussion also touched on New York's law banning PFAS in food packaging, which has faced criticism for its lack of enforcement and testing. The current implementation plan relies on food retailers and restaurants to inquire about PFAS presence from their distributors, a method deemed inadequate by some officials.

Further complicating the issue, a University of Florida study found PFAS in all tested toilet paper products, suggesting that other paper products, such as napkins, may also contain these harmful chemicals. The meeting underscored the need for caution in composting practices, with officials advocating for a shift away from single-use disposables, regardless of their compostability claims.

The conversation concluded with a call for more stringent standards and testing for contaminants in compost, as well as a push for alternatives to disposable products, highlighting successful models from festivals that have transitioned to reusable systems. The officials expressed a commitment to ensuring that composting practices do not inadvertently contribute to environmental contamination.