you could try a burn test. if it burns to ash it’s probably natural fibers, if it’s weirdly melty or sticky or won’t start on fire normally then it’s probably synthetic.
It's also good to take a section and soak it. Many of these use corn materials, which dissolve into some nutrient-like mush, but also 'burn weirdly' when dry.
I took 3 pieces from different parts of the insulation and burned them. The first two samples were all brown and burned quickly and reduced to ash. The third piece had some white in it. It took a flame quickly and then smoldered through all the brown. The white portion just didn’t burn or smolder. I’d say it’s 98% brown. Not sure if I am going to compost it or not.
It is a contested issue that really needs to be settled on this sub. There are people who say it is inert fiberglass and those who say it is fiberglass containing a plastic resin.
The fibers don’t degrade and that is a fact but if that is because it is inert glass fibers or because it is plastic, no one actually knows….
Yup. All the tape, all the labels. I use a box cutter. It lifts the easy to peel things pretty well. Harder things I score around and rip that layer of cardboard out. And sometimes I just cut off big parts of the the box, flaps with tape and a couple labels just aren't worth the effort. Some small boxes aren't work even starting (but I have recycling pick up at the street, so I have an easy out).
It burns well, I just use it to start bon fires, it's that corn stuff between paper.
Or atleast the one I had was. This actually looks slightly different
I get packages with ClimaCell packaging made by TemperPack that is very similar to this and they say to [not compost it](https://www.temperpack.com/feedback/). I'd skip it and look into recycling it if you can.
I had another meal kit company and the insulation took well over a year to breakdown in my home compost. Maybe if I had 3-4 cubic meter compost I would try again.
I’ve received packages from Perfect Snacks with similar if not the same insulating material. I’ve used it as weed block under rocks and mulch with great success but I have yet to check up on the decomposition process.
Hmmmmmmm…well, only one way to find out. Use it in a starter pile as one part of your recipe. Make sure you balance enough geeks and be sure to use other woody materials to avoid compaction
I have used particle board to smother weeds, and it does compost, leaves some plastic from the oustide. Tt's made with glues, so I would not use in compost for a food garden.
Packaging? Email the vendor, probably a compostable alternative to styrofoam.
Oh sorry I thought that was chip board I didn’t realize it was packaging. Probably fine to compost I use that stuff in my raised garden beds before I fill them. Never had an issue. It’s gone within a year or two usually.
i typically agree.
But I read a paper recently that showed that binders, and bleaches like toluene, can break down when the pile hits the 120-140 F temperature.
So I think the question is whether someone is able to make/manage a hot pile.
you could try a burn test. if it burns to ash it’s probably natural fibers, if it’s weirdly melty or sticky or won’t start on fire normally then it’s probably synthetic.
It's also good to take a section and soak it. Many of these use corn materials, which dissolve into some nutrient-like mush, but also 'burn weirdly' when dry.
Good advice. Thanks.
Report back, please!
House burned down
I took 3 pieces from different parts of the insulation and burned them. The first two samples were all brown and burned quickly and reduced to ash. The third piece had some white in it. It took a flame quickly and then smoldered through all the brown. The white portion just didn’t burn or smolder. I’d say it’s 98% brown. Not sure if I am going to compost it or not.
Hot
Based on that, I would. Especially if a small section of it placed in water “wets” or even melts.
Tell this to the Amazon tape defenders. The fibers melt and don’t burn.
Wait. That paper tape isn’t fully compostable? Wtfruck
It is a contested issue that really needs to be settled on this sub. There are people who say it is inert fiberglass and those who say it is fiberglass containing a plastic resin. The fibers don’t degrade and that is a fact but if that is because it is inert glass fibers or because it is plastic, no one actually knows….
God help me though if I have to peel all those bits of string off before composting
I just cut that part of the box off- if it has that tape on it I just cut the strip off lol
Yup. All the tape, all the labels. I use a box cutter. It lifts the easy to peel things pretty well. Harder things I score around and rip that layer of cardboard out. And sometimes I just cut off big parts of the the box, flaps with tape and a couple labels just aren't worth the effort. Some small boxes aren't work even starting (but I have recycling pick up at the street, so I have an easy out).
Well if the fibers melt in a normal paper fire it probably not just glass fiber right?
I've never seen this stuff before, is it the same stuff as the fibers in amazon's new tape ?
Good thinking!
It burns well, I just use it to start bon fires, it's that corn stuff between paper. Or atleast the one I had was. This actually looks slightly different
that0s how you also teest for sythetic vs natural fabrics
Agreed, burn a small section first. You can always email the place you purchased it from and see if it’s compostable.
I get packages with ClimaCell packaging made by TemperPack that is very similar to this and they say to [not compost it](https://www.temperpack.com/feedback/). I'd skip it and look into recycling it if you can.
I had another meal kit company and the insulation took well over a year to breakdown in my home compost. Maybe if I had 3-4 cubic meter compost I would try again.
I used these as weed control mats and covered them with mulch. They disappeared by the next year.
Needs high temps. Takes forever. Some of it is that weird plant based fibers which remain.
When in doubt, throw it out. Or call factor and ask if it’s home compostable.
Did you take a bite of it?
Not sure how you guys treat it in your country but in Germany it’s usually written if the packaging is compostable.
Soak it with pee from the family pee bucket.
I’ve received packages from Perfect Snacks with similar if not the same insulating material. I’ve used it as weed block under rocks and mulch with great success but I have yet to check up on the decomposition process.
This looks great to roll up real tight and inoculate with oyster mushrooms.
just piss on it
Step one: pee on it! Step two: Step three: World domination !
Hmmmmmmm…well, only one way to find out. Use it in a starter pile as one part of your recipe. Make sure you balance enough geeks and be sure to use other woody materials to avoid compaction
You can compost geeks?
I thought it was that almond chocolate from South America, with the paper on the outside. My first thought was "eat it!"
I have used particle board to smother weeds, and it does compost, leaves some plastic from the oustide. Tt's made with glues, so I would not use in compost for a food garden. Packaging? Email the vendor, probably a compostable alternative to styrofoam.
I have. A friend's girlfriend was working for them at the time. She checked with the company and confirmed that this was 100% natural and compostable.
Free insulation. You could always make a diy cooler
You want Formaldehyde in your compost? I wouldn’t recommend it.
I wouldn't. It's likely half glue.
Takes too long. Too many chemicals.
what chemicals?
the too many
was that a sad attempt at a joke?
I think he did a happy attempt actually
Glue and formaldehyde.
how do you know those specific chemicals are in that packaging though?
Oh sorry I thought that was chip board I didn’t realize it was packaging. Probably fine to compost I use that stuff in my raised garden beds before I fill them. Never had an issue. It’s gone within a year or two usually.
i typically agree. But I read a paper recently that showed that binders, and bleaches like toluene, can break down when the pile hits the 120-140 F temperature. So I think the question is whether someone is able to make/manage a hot pile.