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Due to the environmental hazards of Styrofoam, there has been a recent industry shift to use biodegradable packing peanuts as a more environmentally friendly option.

The move to create eco-friendly packaging has provided innovations that have helped customers move away from Styrofoam in order to take advantage of these advances in biodegradable peanuts.

Benefits of biodegradable packing peanuts:

1. They're made from all-natural resources

‍Starch based packing peanuts are made from plants such as corn, wheat, potato, and sometimes mushrooms, whereas traditional polystyrene packing peanuts are made from petroleum.

2. They're non toxic

While no one is recommending humans eat packing peanuts since they are not produced as food grade items, they are technically made from plant-based products. This means they are non-toxic and safe in case kids or pets accidentally eat them. This also means animals or birds that might try to eat them from the garbage or landfill will not be consuming plastics. A common concern is that using these as a packaging material could attract rodents and pests, but since the sugar component is removed from the starch material, it is unlikely to be an issue.

3. They're easy to identify

Many companies use a color coding system to indicated if their peanuts are virgin polystyrene, made from recycled plastics, or biodegradable. Starch-based packing peanuts are typically an off-white color, but not always. The best way to test if peanuts are biodegradable is to run them under water. Biodegradable packing peanuts dissolve in water in a matter of minutes.

4. They're compostable

While you aren't able to recycle any packing peanuts, you are able to compost biodegradable peanuts in your home compost. If your municipality runs an organics program, you can check to see if they accept this item along with other food and organic waste.

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5. Uses less carbon emission to produce‍

This type of loose fill uses less energy and produces less carbon emissions that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions than the production of Styrofoam peanuts. One study estimates that using corn-based bioplastics can reduce GHG emissions by 25%.

6. They're anti-static

Some items, such as certain electronics, require static-free packaging for shipping. Biodegradable packing peanuts are perfect for this kind of shipping item. This means they also do not stick to your clothes.

7. They're produced with waste products

Some companies are trying to solve the issue of diverting food to plastics production by creating a more circular economy model. Bioplastic producers, such as Full Circle, are using food byproducts to create bioplastics instead of using new crops. This means the materials used to produce the packing were planned to be discarded. Another company, Mango Materials, is using waste biogas as a way to produce bioplastics. By switching to bioplastic packaging products, you may be helping to repurpose waste into the production of a new product, creating a circular economy.

8. They're reusable

While this is true for both biodegradable or Styrofoam loose fill, it is worth mentioning that packing peanuts are able to be reused again and again.‍

9. They're stronger than polystyrene

Styrofoam loose fill tends to snap under pressure, but biodegradable peanuts have proven to be more resilient in crush tests.

The pitfalls of styrofoam packing peanuts

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1. Traditional Styrofoam peanuts do not break down in landfills

Since they are made from expanded polystyrene, they fall into the large category of plastics that are estimated to take more than 500 years to break down. Styrofoam products are designed specifically to be durable in order to protect what is around them, but this durability is exactly what makes them problematic at their end of life.

2. Traditional foam peanuts are difficult to recycle‍

Styrofoam in general is not accepted in many locations for recycling, and even when it is, foam peanuts are usually not allowed. Foam peanuts have two strikes against them, due to their static nature, they are difficult to control, and recycling facilities usually have a hard time with small items that get lost or caught in sorting machines.

3. Styrofoam packing peanuts are harmful to production workers‍

Producing expanded polystyrene can often create hazardous conditions for the workers in those factories. It has been documented that the production of polystyrene can cause carcinogenic fumes that could be harmful to the workers producing those products. Since biodegradable products use non-toxic, plant-based materials, they do not produce harmful byproducts while being produced.

4. Expanded Polystyrene foam is harmful to the environment‍

Whether it's packing peanuts or Styrofoam cups, any product made from expanded polystyrene is not eco-friendly. The EPA has deemed the manufacturing process of polystyrene to produce hazardous waste for over three decades.

Sustainable solutions

Biodegradable packing peanuts are an overall more sustainable solution for loose fill. When shipping items, it's always important to look for all the most eco-friendly options.

Traditional Styrofoam packing peanuts are almost never accepted in curbside recycling, making them a difficult product to deal with for disposal. Occasionally municipalities will offer a Styrofoam drop-off program, but due to their static nature, packing peanuts are not usually included in this type of recycling.

Finding alternatives that are more eco-friendly seems to be the only option when dealing with packing peanuts. Biodegradable packing peanuts are the logical solution to combat the plastic waste issues associated with loose fill polystyrene packing peanuts.

The ongoing search for sustainable and eco-friendly power has led to remarkable advancements in the field of renewable energy.

Researchers, engineers, and innovators are tirelessly working to develop cutting-edge solutions as various sectors grapple with the challenges of climate change and strive to reduce their carbon footprints.

Here are some of the most exciting innovations shaping the future of renewable energy, from solar power to wind energy and beyond.

1.    Energy storage breakthroughs

One of the challenges of renewable energy sources like solar and wind is their intermittent nature. Storage technologies are crucial for overcoming this hurdle. Battery technology advancements, particularly the development of high-capacity and long-life batteries, are transforming the landscape.

Solid-state batteries promise higher energy density, faster charging times, and enhanced safety compared to traditional lithium-ion versions. These innovations pave the way for more reliable and efficient storage systems, ultimately supporting the integration of renewable power into the mainstream grid.

2.    Tidal and wave energy

Using the power of the ocean's tides and waves is an area of renewable energy that's gaining traction. Seawater is 832 times denser than air, making it a much more efficient source. Innovative technologies, such as underwater turbines and oscillating water columns, are being developed to capture the immense energy potential of our oceans.

These technologies provide a consistent and reliable energy source and have minimal visual impact, addressing some concerns associated with other forms of renewable power. They also have a lower environmental footprint, as they don't require large land areas and can be situated offshore.

3.    Advancements in wind energy

Wind energy is the largest renewable energy source in the United States, powering 10.1% of the country and continuing to grow. It continues to evolve with breakthroughs in onshore and offshore technologies.

Floating wind farms can tap into deeper waters where traditional fixed turbines are impractical. This innovation expands the geographical range for harnessing wind energy, making it possible to generate power in previously inaccessible locations.

Additionally, blade design and materials developments are improving wind turbines' efficiency and durability. These innovations increase energy output and contribute to reducing maintenance costs, making wind power even more economically viable.

4.    Hydrogen as clean fuel

Hydrogen has emerged as a promising clean fuel that can be produced using eco-friendly energy sources. Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, is gaining momentum as a viable carrier.

This versatile gas can be used in various sectors, including transportation, industry, and heating, offering a green alternative to conventional fossil fuels.

5.    Renewable diesel

With fuel prices on the rise year after year, the search for alternatives has become more urgent. Renewable diesel represents a significant innovation in sustainable transportation fuels, offering a cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel derived from fossil fuels. It's created through a hydroprocessing method involving the hydrogenation of triglycerides and fatty acids.

This process results in a fuel that's nearly identical to petroleum-based diesel, making it compatible with existing engines and infrastructure. It delivers over 50% reduction in greenhouse gases when compared to petroleum-based diesel.

6.    Next-gen solar technologies

Solar energy holds enormous potential. Every 90 minutes, enough sunlight reaches the Earth's surface to meet the entire population's electricity demands for a year.

Solar power remains a frontrunner in the renewable energy race, and recent innovations are making it more efficient and accessible. Perovskite solar cells have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional silicon-based cells. They boast high-efficiency levels and are more cost-effective to produce, potentially revolutionizing the solar power landscape.

Manufacturers are also developing transparent solar panels for integration into windows, turning everyday surfaces into energy-generating assets. These innovations enhance power production and open up new possibilities for urban integration.

Additionally, advancements in bifacial solar panels enhance energy capture by using light reflected off surfaces, such as rooftops or the ground. This dual-sided absorption significantly increases the overall power yield, making solar installations more productive and efficient.

7.    Rechargeable tires

In the pursuit of sustainable transportation solutions, innovators have turned their attention to an unexpected component of vehicles - tires. Rechargeable tires involve integrating technology to harness and store energy during motion. This can power various automotive parts, reducing reliance on traditional power sources and contributing to increased fuel efficiency.

The rechargeable tire concept typically involves incorporating piezoelectric materials or electromagnetic generators within the structure. As the car moves, these components convert the mechanical energy generated by the friction between the tire and the road into electrical power. This is then stored in a battery integrated into the vehicle's tire.

The stored energy could power onboard sensors, lighting systems, or even electric components, reducing the overall power demand on the vehicle and enhancing its efficiency. While this concept is still relatively new, experts expect the market to grow exponentially in the coming years.

Hope for a greener future

The renewable energy sector is experiencing a rapid transformation fueled by groundbreaking innovations. From enhancing the efficiency of existing technologies to exploring new frontiers like hydrogen and tidal energy, these developments are driving humanity closer to a sustainable and cleaner future.

The dream of a world powered by green power becomes increasingly attainable as products evolve, offering hope for a greener and more sustainable planet.

Author Bio

Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded. He has extensive experience writing about sustainability, green living, and electric vehicles, contributing to publications like Earth911, Mindset Eco, and Green Union. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.

Composting is an effective way to manage garden and kitchen waste to create healthy soil. However, sometimes you may feel frustrated with the long composting time.

The good news is that you don't have to wait that long with the right methods. We will share three ways on how to speed up the process.  

Keep reading to find out more. 

How long does compost take to decompose?

The time taken by compost materials to decompose isn't constant. A compost pile can take a couple of weeks, several months, or even years. 

It all depends on how you manage the compost pile, the type of compost materials, composting method, and the timing of the compost. 

Remember don't feed any material directly into your compost pile, the first step to have a successful compost is to choose the right compost materials. Some materials decompose quickly, some take longer, and others don't decompose at all. 

1. Have the right ratio of brown to green materials

When choosing the composting materials you need to balance the brown and green materials. The brown materials refer to the long-dead woodier materials. These include twigs, straw, hay wood chips, fall leaves, shredded cardboard, and cornstalk. The browns have a higher content of carbon than nitrogen.

Green materials refer to recently dried plant materials. The greens either still possess green color or other signs of life in them. In the compost pile, the greens have a higher content of nitrogen than carbon. 

The quick decomposition of compost material requires the activities of both fungi and bacteria. Where bacteria like to feed on greens, fungi thrive on brown materials. 

When you don't balance the greens and browns, the pile won't compost efficiently. For example, if the compost grows a stinking smell (ammonia), it means you have fewer browns in the pile, and when you have fewer green materials, the pile won't heat up. Most gardeners propose the ratio of browns to greens at 4:1; however, you can still tweak the ratio depending on what you add to the compost pile. 

2. Shred the materials

Just having the right balance of browns and green in the composting materials isn't enough. Before you feed the material to the heap, you need to shred them into pieces. 

Cutting the grass clippings or leaves into smaller bits makes them decompose faster than when they are whole. Depending on what you wish to shred, you can use a lawnmower, leaf shredder, or chipper to break down the materials into smaller bits. 

Shredding the materials also helps to create air pockets in the bits of leaves, grass, and twigs. As a result, it boosts the aeration of the compost hip and thus increases the decomposition rate. 

As for kitchen waste, you can pass it through the blender first. Besides breaking them into bits, it also moisturizes them.

3. Try composting with worms

This green gardening method makes use of worms' natural diet, normally called vermicomposting. The process for vermicomposting is easy: you use food scraps and garden wastes, put them in the worm bins, and let worms go to work. 

With the right food, temperature, and moisture conditions, worms will eat, multiply, and excrete the beneficial worm castings after a few weeks. 

Worm castings have many benefits; they not only help break down organic materials faster, but also increase soil fertility and help plants become disease resistant.  

Meanwhile, vermicomposting also produces liquid fertilizer known as worm wee or worm farm leachate. Combine one part worm wee with ten parts water, you can get  nutrient-rich fertilizer for your indoor and outdoor plants.

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Happy composting!

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Author Bio:

Tiffany Lei is the founder at Garden Guidepost. She is passionate about gardening and hopes to inspire more people to adapt to the gardening lifestyle and start composting as a way to recycle organic materials.

1. Educate Yourself on Accepted Materials

Before you start separating your organic waste, familiarize yourself with the types of materials accepted by your program. Common organic waste does include most food items, but some programs may also include other organic materials as well. This varies from program to program, so make sure to look up items like yard waste, leaves, compostable plastics, and other biodegradable products such as paper towels. These items may or may not be allowed in your organics collection program. Knowing what your program accepts is the best way to help it thrive.

2. Invest in Suitable Containers

Invest in durable and appropriately sized containers for collecting organic waste in your home. Some municipalities may provide these items, while others will have a list of acceptable bags and containers. Consider using sealable bins or compost pails with tight-fitting lids to prevent odors and minimize the risk of attracting pests. Check with your program to see if they require organics collection to be loose or in bags. It is important to note that not all compostable or biodegradable bags on the market are suitable for organic waste collection, so it is best to see what your program recommends.

3. Establish a Convenient Collection System

Designate a convenient location in your kitchen or backyard for storing organic waste containers. Consider placing your organic waste bins near your food preparation area for easy access while cooking. Convenience is key to building the habit of proper organic waste disposal.  

Tip: If you have space in your freezer, consider keeping your compost in there until waste collection day. This will minimize the smell and make cleanup easier.  

If your program also accepts any outdoor organic waste, such as leaves, grass clippings, or weeds, keep an outdoor bin as well. Not all programs combine these two, so make sure to check how your program handles yard waste.  

4. Practice Proper Waste Separation

To maximize the effectiveness of organic waste collection, practice proper waste separation throughout your household. Encourage family members to separate organic waste from recyclables and other non-organic waste. Label containers or bins clearly to avoid confusion and ensure successful adherence to local collection guidelines.  

If you have multiple people residing in the same household, you may even want to post a note for each bin on what goes where based on the materials your home typically uses. Posting picture guides for kids can help them learn correct sorting easily.  

5. Make it a Habit

Getting used to organic waste collection can take a bit of practice, but if you try to establish a routine, you'll be able to hit the ground running. Setting up a process in your household can help establish good habits. You could do this by establishing specific days or times that the indoor bin gets emptied to avoid bad smells. You could also establish a routine while cooking by keeping a plate next to your cutting board to gather up scraps for the bin. Building habits to your existing routines can help boost the amount of organic waste collected.

Embrace Sustainable Waste Management Practices

Participating in organic waste collection is a proactive step towards sustainable living and environmental stewardship. By adopting these practical tips and integrating organic waste collection into your daily routine, you can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting soil health in your community.

There are a few different types of disposable coffee cups you could be recycling wrong. By adding items to the recycling that don't belong, you could potentially be contributing to recycling contamination.

On average, many municipalities struggle with high contamination rates ranging around 19%-40%. This can lead to a lot of lost recovery of viable recyclable materials.

With the frequency in which people drink coffee on the go, it's important to know what types of disposable coffee cups are not accepted in your program. By always looking up what your municipal recycling program allows, you can help keep contamination low.

Let's take a look at each kind of disposable coffee cup to see what you should do.

Paper coffee cups

Disposable paper coffee cups are the most common single-use cup for coffee nowadays. It may seem that since these cups are made from paper, they should be recyclable, but calling them paper cups is a bit misleading.

Paper coffee cups are actually lined with plastic, making them a more difficult to recycle. In most cases, when two materials, such as paper and plastic, are adhered together in a product, it is difficult for recycling facilities to separate them in order to recover one or both of the materials.

Due to the high use of this product, and the extreme amounts of waste so many to-go cups can create, many advances have been made in paper coffee cup recycling.

While this is exciting in regards to the progress for recycling and waste reduction, these technologies are not available everywhere yet. Only around 10% of recycling facilities currently accept these plastic-lined paper cups.

Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are not all the same, and what sorting machinery they have at their disposal is usually different. This is why it is important to look up if paper coffee cups are accepted in your specific program or not.

Hopefully one day these types of disposable coffee cups will be universally accepted, but until then, it is important you double check so that you don't contribute to recycling contamination in your area.

Styrofoam coffee cups

Foam cups are becoming less and less prevalent in commercial coffee shops, but they are often still used at offices and events. Styrofoam cups, also known as polystyrene cups, are a type of plastic that has been traditionally difficult to recycle.

Most MRFs will not accept Styrofoam coffee cups due to the difficulty in breaking down the polystyrene material. Once again it depends on if a facility has equipment to handle Styrofoam, but there is another contamination issue at play with these.

Styrofoam cups typically have liquid residue left on them. Even if your program is one of the rare locations that accepts Styrofoam or polystyrene, it is probable that they would not accept foam cups or plates due to the high levels of food contamination.

Recycling Styrofoam typically requires a form of chemical recycling that would not be suitable for items with food or liquid residue left on them. So, in general, these types of disposable coffee cups should not be added to your recycling bin.

Clear plastic coffee cups

The popularity of iced coffee has infused another high frequency disposable cup into our daily lives. Clear plastic coffee cups are another item that is not universally accepted. The acceptance rates for this type of plastic are much higher than paper or foam cups though.

Around 50% of MRFs accept plastic cups for recycling. That once again means it is important for you to check your local program to see if they will take this type of plastic cup.

It is easier to keep these smooth plastic cups cleaner than porous foam cups, but it is still important to make sure they are also empty and clean before recycling (if your area recycles them).

Caked on food and liquids can be a detrimental source of contamination for a batch of plastics, so it is important to rinse or wipe your plastic cups before disposing of them.

Plastic coffee lids

Plastic coffee lids are also accepted in about half of recycling facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada, so you need to look up if they are accepted in your area.

With plastic coffee lids, it is important to distinguish if it is accepted based on the color of the lid. Even if a program accepts this type of plastic, they may not accept black plastic. Many sorting machines cannot identify black plastic due to the dark color, so these items can end up getting passed through into batches of other materials by mistake.

In addition to the invisibility of this material to the sorting machines, the black color makes it difficult to reconstitute into a new material. A company that would potentially be using this plastic for new products, would have trouble adding dye to a batch of plastic that already has black dye in it.

The confusing part about these lids is that there is usually a recycling loop visible on the top of the lid. It is important to keep in mind that any company can put the recycling loop on packaging, whether it is accepted everywhere or not. This misleading labeling can lead to a lot of recycling contamination.

So, it is always best to check with your specific program instead of assuming that an item is recyclable just because it has the recycling loop.

Cardboard cleeves

Cardboard sleeves are the only sure thing when it comes to coffee on the go. Cardboard is accepted everywhere for recycling, so no matter what other parts of your coffee cup can be recycled, you should be recycling the cardboard sleeve.

It may seem insignificant because it is so small, but with around 600 billion coffee cups being produced worldwide every year, there are potentially billions of cardboard sleeves to go along with them.

With so many disposable coffee cups being unrecyclable in so many programs, it is important to take advantage of this simple recycling opportunity. If you happen to get a cardboard drink carrier, make sure you add that to your recycling too.

Another way to be more sustainable would be to use your own reusable cup. Many coffee shops will allow you to bring your own travel mug for their drinks. And of course, you can bring your own coffee mug to keep at the office.

Look it ip

While there is no clear cut answer to each type of disposable coffee cup, the big take-away should be that the most important thing you can do when trying to recycle any type of disposable cup is to look up whether your program accepts it before assuming that it does so you can avoid recycling contamination.

With the rise of plastic pollution and the movement to reduce plastic waste, the possibility of Styrofoam Recycling is a critical question you need answers to. We will tell you all you need to know about the fundamental issues surrounding Styrofoam recycling today.

Technically Styrofoam is a specific brand of expanded polystyrene foam made by DuPont. Actual Styrofoam is made for construction and used as an insulation filler. Any of the foam plates, egg cartons, meat trays, cups, packaging inserts, coolers, etc. are actually expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) made from a wide variety of companies. Yet, colloquially, we still call it all Styrofoam. Calling all these items polystyrene is starting to catch on, but Styrofoam is what everyone typically knows all of these items as.

How bad is Styrofoam for the environment?

In addition to the many probable health risks that EPS foam creates, there are also several negative impacts from this material on our environment.

Being such a lightweight product that can sometimes break into tiny bits, Styrofoam packaging and containers can easily turn into an abundance of pollution in our environment from litter that is picked up by the wind. This can pollute land and water making it easy for wildlife to ingest as they mistake it for bits of food.

While initially Styrofoam type products were thought to be safe for the environment, it has now been determined that over time they release a gaseous methane derivative known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs contribute to depleting the ozone layer, which is a large factor in climate change. The degradation of EPS or Styrofoam products accounts for almost 3% of CFCs in the atmosphere.

The disposal of this material is where the problem really lies. Polystyrene is made to be protected from the elements, so when it ends up in a landfill, it will not break down and will just be a contributing factor to increased waste. While the exact lifespan of these products is unknown, scientists speculate it will take at least 500 years for polystyrene to break down, if it ever does at all.

Is there an environmentally friendly way to dispose of Styrofoam?

If foam recycling is not an option in any given area, the other solutions are to add it to a landfill or to burn it. Neither of these options are particularly good. As previously mentioned, there is little chance of this material breaking down in a landfill for hundreds if not thousands of years.

As for burning polystyrene, this can be done safely and efficiently with the same types of byproducts as a car produces. This however means carbon dioxide. Carbon emissions, again, are a large contributor to climate change, so burning Styrofoam products is not a particularly environmentally friendly option.

Recycling Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene foam is the most environmentally friendly disposal, plus it reduces the need for making as much new Styrofoam, but it is not always accepted in most locations.

How does Styrofoam recycling work?

To recycle foam packaging, it is cleaned then shredded before being melted down into a paste then turned into pellets. These pellets are able to be sent to manufactures to produce new products.

There are also some recyclers using new advances in chemical recycling to break down polystyrene at a chemical level to reprocess it. This type of recycling can also accept polystyrene that is dirtier, such as food packaging that has been soiled, whereas traditional recycling methods for this material only accept clean foam. Chemical recycling is still fairly new and uncommon at this point.

Any kind of recycling of expanded polystyrene (EPS) is still overall an expensive process, so it is often not offered at local recycling facilities. Since making new EPS packaging from oil is typically cheaper than using recycled EPS materials, it is not considered cost effective by manufactures to use. If a recycling facility doesn't have a buyer for the recovered materials, then they don't tend accept that material to recover, since there would be nowhere for it to go.

Does Styrofoam go in my recycling?

The technology exists for expanded polystyrene recycling, but it does not mean your local recycling program automatically accepts it. It is important not to contaminate your recycling with materials that don't belong, so you should always look up what your recycling facility accepts and does not accept.

While many locations do not accept Styrofoam in their program, some programs may accept it at special drop-off locations or at certain collection events. This is often because Styrofoam breaks easily and sticks to other materials in your bin causing contamination. Please check with your municipality before assuming they offer Styrofoam or EPS recycling.

Are there alternatives to using Styrofoam?

There are almost always alternatives to using any type of plastic, so Styrofoam is no different. Avoiding single-use items of any kind is always a good idea. Using reusable containers, plates, etc. can significantly reduce your need for polystyrene.

Reusing foam packaging, such as packing peanuts, is a viable option if you end up with them. By reusing these types of items, you can keep them out of landfill longer, and you can avoid buying more of them.

Finding alternatives for Styrofoam packaging can be a bit trickier, but fortunately more and more biodegradable options are being put on the market these days. There are companies working on making polystyrene alternatives from mushrooms, corn starch, and other biodegradable materials. These types of innovations in plastics are game changers.

In Conclusion

With all the ins-and-outs surrounding Styrofoam recycling, it is important that you always check with your municipality to see if they accept any types of expanded polystyrene foam. You can search the 'What Goes Where' search tool on the Recycle Coach mobile app in participating areas.

Otherwise, try to avoid using EPS foam whenever possible so you can avoid plastic waste and reduce our need for more plastic to be produced.

Whether it's for a birthday, housewarming, graduation, or wedding, flowers always make an amazing gift. But what do you do with the flower bouquets after the event is over? Do you just dispose of them? Can you place them in jars for decoration? We have a few ways you can reuse, repurpose, or recycle your stunning blooms from petals to wrappers, especially if gently used.

Petals 

The petals are, of course, what makes a spring flower bouquet most beautiful. It is not unusual to feel guilty when throwing them away. The colorful and aromatically captivating petals will probably be screaming at you to hold on to them longer.

Instead of tossing them in the garbage after an event, there are a few creative ways to recycle used flower petals. Some of these include the following:

Drying them for use in décor

Drying is one of the best ways to recycle flowers  that you want to hold on to. Well, decorating with dried flowers is not rocket science. Simply dry the petals with the stems still intact and hang them in distinct areas of your home to serve as wall décor.

For the best effect, be sure to place them with the petals facing down. Also, dried foliage can be delicate, and could break when disturbed, so make sure to choose the best spot to avoid this.

Make potpourri

Used flower petals can be a great source of perfume, especially for your home. When the wedding or other occasion is over, pick up the best-scented flower petals and turn them into potpourri. So how do you make potpourri exactly? 

You will find dozens of potpourri recipes out there, but it simply involves mixing flower petals and other ingredients/spices, then heating them in an oven to create a fragrant blend. Most people use spices like cinnamon, thyme, and rosemary, as well as orange and lemon. Essential oils and water are also commonly included in the mixture to add flavor and consistency.

Consider composting 

If you have a green thumb or you're a fan of gardening, there's no better way to recycle florals than composting them. These colorful blooms still have a lot of nutrients despite their life having been cut short .

If you're wondering how, you may find this household guide to composting worth reading. Just isolate the petals, cut them up, and add them into your in-ground compost bin. There are rich sources of carbon and nitrogen in compost depending on how decomposed the flowers are.

Regift them

If your blooms still look fresh and bright after your ceremony, why not consider donating them or gifting them? You can even gift-wrap the flowers afresh before regifting them. Senior homes, hospitals, and charity organizations are some of the places you can donate slightly spent flower bouquets.

Wrappers 

Bouquet wrappers can be recycled in so many ways to make something unique, cute, and practical. Depending on what you are making, recycling bouquet wraps may require cutting, folding, shredding, or taping. Below is a list of ways you can reuse or recycle flower wrappers.

• Make future party decorations
• Create home décor items
• Make desk organizers with packaging
• And much more

Sustainable alternatives to giving cut flowers

As we might have mentioned already, fresh-cut flowers can only last for so long. With the utmost care and maintenance, many cut flowers only stay alive for seven to twelve days, give or take. This means that fresh flower gifts end up being disposed of quickly, raising concerns over their eco-friendliness.

Thankfully, there are several alternatives so you can still show someone how special they are to you with flowers. For instance, you can gift someone with the whole plant instead of its fresh flower cuts. Other common sustainable options include:

• Cacti and other succulents
• Potted plants
• Flower basket hangings
• Artificial flowers like Silk and Fabric variants
• A bonsai tree

While flowers make amazing gifts, no one said that gift-giving shouldn't be sustainable and environmentally friendly. By recycling flowers or using sustainable alternatives, you are actually reducing your toll on the environment. These tips can serve as your guide to recycling used flowers after a party, event, or ceremony.

Author Bio:

Claire Jane Ward is an experienced eco-lifestyle and marketing writer with a passion for creating insightful and engaging content that's easy to digest. She aims to help build a better future for the environment and its habitants by educating them to live sustainably in practical ways. Occasionally she spends her time playing with her cat while listening to her favorite podcasts.

Plastic film recycling: an overlooked opportunity

We often focus on issues surrounding plastic bag recycling, but there is an important type of plastic that is commonly overlooked: plastic film and wrap. Plastic film recycling is a category of soft plastic that is similar to plastic grocery bags. The common exclusion of this material when talking about plastic bag recycling is potentially leaving out a vast amount of viable recyclable material that could be used to make new packaging.

What is plastic film?

Plastic film, plastic overwrap, and other soft plastic packaging is often found as an alternative packaging option for products that do not use cardboard packaging. Commonly, overwrap is found as packaging over paper towels, toilet paper, water bottles, and more.

Plastic film is made of polyethylene (PE) plastic. This type of plastic is commonly labeled #2 HDPE or #4 LDPE in the recycling loop. This does not mean all #2 and #4 plastics fall within this category, only that if it is #2 or #4 and flexible, it can be recycled with plastic grocery bags.

To be more specific about what constitutes flexible, let's clarify that if you can pull and stretch it with your hands, then it is probably plastic film. If it tears or makes a crinkling noise, it is not the type of plastic film accepted with plastic bags.

Additional materials in this category include plastic air-filled pouches for packaging, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, plastic bubble mailing envelopes, and plastic newspaper wrapping. For air-filled pouches, make sure to pop them before recycling them, and remove any labels from plastic bubble mailing envelopes or newspaper wrapping when applicable.

How to recycle plastic film

Plastic film is not accepted in the vast majority of curbside recycling programs. Plastic film is a type of soft plastic that is difficult to sort out and can easily get tangled in recycling center sorting machines. Unless you live in one of the rare locations that accept this material, you should never place this type of plastic in your curbside bins, but it is able to be recycled with plastic bags at designated drop-off locations.

It is important to remember that all plastic film that is meant for recycling must be clean and dry. There should be no stickers or debris on the plastic. If there is, you can remove that portion and recycle the remaining clean plastic.

Make sure you do not add any biodegradable or compostable plastic film to the bin. These types of packaging are made of an entirely different material and would contaminate a load of viable plastic film for recycling.

Where to recycle plastic film

It's quite common to find plastic bag and wrap bins at many grocery or retail stores. Many big box stores such as Walmart, Home Depot, Staples, and the majority of grocery store chains accept plastic bags for recycling. There is typically a bin in or around the entrance of these stores specifically meant for bag and film recycling.

These sites also provide plastic bag and film recycling resources for you to locate bins near you:

• Bag and Film Recycling
• NexTrex
• Earth 911

As with any recycling question, it's always worthwhile to check with your local recycling program to see if they accept plastic film or shopping bags as a drop-off item even if they do not accept them with curbside pick-ups.

How to recycle more

Plastic film is an often overlooked material that is completely recyclable through these drop-off programs. Since only about 9% of plastic produced is recycled, we need to make sure we are getting the plastics that are recyclable to the right places. Knowing what is and is not recycling can help us recover more materials in order to use less natural resources for new products.

The EPA estimates that 14.5 million tons of plastic packaging and containers are produced annually.

Now that you know a large amount of soft plastic packaging is actually accepted with plastic grocery bags, you can start helping to recover more materials for recycling.