2/28/2021 The label says 100% compostable plastic.

But it's likely ending up in a landfill | CBC News

Sign In

COVID-19 More

Technology & Science · Marketplace

The label says 100% compostable plastic. But it's likely ending up
in a landfill

Here is what actually happens when you put compostable plastics in your green bin

Makda Ghebreslassie, Eric Szeto, Steve Niles · CBC News ·

Posted: Mar 07, 2020 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: March 7, 2020

As the plastic pollution problem deepens, interest has grown for alternatives to conventional plastics like
bioplastics packaging. (CBC)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/plastic-packaging-compostable-plastic-marketplace-1.5487617 1/3
2/28/2021 The label says 100% compostable plastic. But it's likely ending up in a landfill | CBC News

comments

Over the last year, Marketplace has investigated the overuse of plastic packaging at some of
Canada's top supermarket chains. A year later, we revisited Loblaws, Sobeys, Costco and
Walmart and found evidence of a growing industry — bioplastics.

One of the bioplastics we came across in our supermarket search: compostable plastics. The
team found bags, cutlery and coffee pods made of compostable plastic on many store shelves.

As the plastic pollution problem deepens, interest has grown for alternatives to conventional
plastics like bioplastics packaging, an industry that is expected to grow to $10 billion over the
next few years. 

But watch what Marketplace discovered about compostable plastics and what actually
happens when you put them in your green bin.

Exposing composting myths

12 months ago | 4:38

We get to the bottom of those “compostable” claims on plastic packaging. Should you put them in the green
bin or will they end up in landfill anyway? 4:38

https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/plastic-packaging-compostable-plastic-marketplace-1.5487617 2/3
2/28/2021 The label says 100% compostable plastic. But it's likely ending up in a landfill | CBC News

POPULAR NOW IN NEWS

ANALYSIS
1
Trudeau says Canada-U.S. relations need to rebuild. Just how bad did it get with Trump?
320 reading now

E-bikes that look like motorcycles take another hit in B.C. Court of Appeal decision
2
141 reading now

SECOND OPINION
3
Why we need to rethink COVID-19 risk as the weather warms up
91 reading now

There are new rules this tax season, courtesy of COVID-19. Here's what you need to know
4
87 reading now

Sale to cosmetics giant Estée Lauder has some questioning whether Toronto's Deciem will change
5 its foundation
71 reading now

©2021 CBC/Radio-Canada. All rights reserved.

Visitez Radio-Canada.ca

https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/plastic-packaging-compostable-plastic-marketplace-1.5487617 3/3