Whole Foods Compostable Container | Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building

Compostable Packaging Test: Whole Foods Deli Containers

07/29/2010

Packaging the Future: Compostable Containers

It's always bothered me that deli containers, <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/18/student-designs-biodegradable-packaging-for-mcdonalds/">take-out boxes</a>, and other one-time-use packages sit in landfills for thousands of years after we've used them for all of an hour, or tops, a few days. I avoid as much unnecessary packaging as I can, but it's not always possible or likely that we can bring our own <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/08/04/pure-water-bottle-filters-99-9-of-bacteria-with-uv-light/">reusable containers</a> to fill, especially if we make an unanticipated trip to the grocery store or stop in for a meal on the go. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/02/19/new-research-reveals-sugar-based-plastics-could-be-composted-at-home/">Biodegradable</a> or <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/18/first-100-compostable-chip-bags-to-hit-shelves-soon/">compostable containers</a> seem like a great solution: they give us convenience while minimizing waste -- but do they actually work in real life? Read on for our hands-on test of compostable containers!

1
Whole Foods Compostable Container

<h3>IN THE FRIDGE</h3> I kept my Whole Foods deli box in my fridge for five days. It was filled with rolled grape leaves (oily) and quinoa salad (somewhat watery). It kept the food fresh as Tupperware would, sans leaks.

2
Whole Foods Compostable Container

<h3>DAY 1</h3> Carrying my used deli container to my backyard compost bin, instead of tossing it in the trash.

3
Whole Foods Compostable Container

<h3>DAY 3</h3> After a rain shower and a couple of days in my compost, the box started to collapse.

4
Whole Foods Compostable Container

<h3>DAY 8</h3> Eight days in, the box was breaking down.

5
Whole Foods Compostable Container

<h3>DAY 19</h3> Three weeks into an admittedly hot and wet summer (which aids biodegradability), the box was almost unrecognizable.

6
Whole Foods Compostable Container

Today marks the second installment of our new Packaging the Future series, which explores a greener future for packaging design, brought to you by Eco Chick founder and green journalist Starre Vartan!...<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/compostable-packaging-test-whole-foods-deli-containers/'>READ ARTICLE</a>

7

Packaging the Future: Compostable Containers

It's always bothered me that deli containers, take-out boxes, and other one-time-use packages sit in landfills for thousands of years after we've used them for all of an hour, or tops, a few days. I avoid as much unnecessary packaging as I can, but it's not always possible or likely that we can bring our own reusable containers to fill, especially if we make an unanticipated trip to the grocery store or stop in for a meal on the go. Biodegradable or compostable containers seem like a great solution: they give us convenience while minimizing waste -- but do they actually work in real life? Read on for our hands-on test of compostable containers!

SIGN UP

Already have an account? Log In

Packaging the Future: Compostable Containers