Is cello biodegradable? (7 steps to use cello as a fertiliser) 

by

The article will discuss the biodegradability of cello while also covering topics such as composting, recycling, eco-friendliness, and how to use cello as a fertiliser. 

Is cello biodegradable? 

True cello made from plant-based materials is biodegradable and may degrade in about a month whereas synthetic cello will not degrade readily. 

Biodegradation is the breakdown that is caused by the action of microbes. It is the natural mechanism of making sure that there is no waste so that the environment may be saved from the detrimental impacts of waste accumulation. 

It is normally perceived that natural materials are biodegradable whereas non-natural materials are generally not biodegradable because they lack the necessary organic inside that is essential for the microbes so that the microbes may break down the targeted material. 

If we rummage through the case of cello or cellophane, we will know that there are two main types of cello out there. One is made from plant-based materials while the other is made from fossil fuels. 

As you may have guessed, true cello made from plant-based materials is biodegradable and may degrade in about a month. 

Whereas synthetic cello which is propylene in nature (a form of plastic) will not degrade readily by the action of microbes and therefore, will not be called to be biodegradable. 

The major point of the discrepancy between the two is the fact that true cello has the necessary organic inside whereas synthetic cello lacks the organic inside that the microbes need in order to degrade it. 

Is cello eco-friendly?

The eco-friendliness of cello also varies because it has been established that there are two types of cello out there in the consumer market. 

In many ways, true cello which is made from plant-based materials (wood) is more eco-friendly as compared to synthetic cello or propylene. 

The stance is built on several points that sojourn around the peripheries of environmental interests and eco-friendliness such as

  • True cello can degrade readily 
  • True cello will not cause waste problems
  • True cello can improve soil quality 
  • True cello can be composted to improve yield
  • True cello will be sourced from biorenewable sources as compared to synthetic cello which is sourced from non-renewable resources 

Therefore, in light of these points, evidence, and assertions, it can be said that true cello made from plant-based materials is way more advantageous to nature as compared to synthetic cello. 

The plight, however, is that true cello may lag at the utility factor. Propylene is cheap and delivers better utility and these are some of the reasons why propylene or synthetic cello is preferred over true cello. 

Can cello be used as a fertiliser?

Yes, cello made from wood can be used as a fertiliser through a process called composting. Composting is the process where microbes and external conditions are put to work to convert organic waste into compost. 

This compost can then be used as a fertiliser which has a number of advantages to the environment. The produced compost can be used to replace chemical fertilisers. 

Chemical fertilisers are known to cause soil and groundwater pollution and may also cause adverse and degradative effects on life and health. 

Further, compost can also be used to improve yield and yield other benefits such as water conservation. This may be very much advantageous in water-scarce countries like Pakistan or India. 

How to use cello as a fertiliser? (7 steps) 

To use cello as a fertiliser, there are some options that can be considered. The basic catch here is to use the cello waste, which is organic in nature, and compost it so that the compost may be used as a fertiliser. 

This can be done at composting facilities and also at home. The option of composting facilities is very basic. All you need to do is to transport the cello waste along with other compostable waste to the composting facilities. The rest will be done by them. 

However, you can also compost cellophane at home and here is how you can do that. Let us discuss some of the key actions and points you need to be mindful of to be able to compost natural cellophane at home. These include:

  • Start off by making sure that what you have is true cellophane made from natural materials and that there is no addition of chemicals or synthetic materials whatsoever 
  • Find a suitable location in your home that is distant from your indoors but decently accessible 
  • You can compost either openly (compost piles) or in a compost bin. Both are fine. 
  • To initiate the process, make a heap made from compostable material (including natural cellophane) 
  • Make sure to place the heap in a cool and dry place. Be sure to continuously and regularly mix it. 
  • Make sure that there is a decent ratio of brown and green matter. The brown matter will be the source of carbon whereas the green matter will be the source of nitrogen. Many suggest making the ratio 4:1. 
  • Wait and let external conditions and microbes do the work 

Is cello recyclable?

No, here again not all cellophane can be recycled. Studies suggest that natural cellophane is less likely to be recycled as compared to propylene which is recycled more readily. Recycling natural cellophane is much akin to recycling vegetable peel. The layer is so thin that the recycling process will become extremely energy-intensive. 

Recycling is a process of reusing a material after due changes and modifications. It is an efficient process to ensure environmental benefits such as waste conservation, resource conservation, better energy management, and decreased impacts of non-biodegradable waste.

Since one form of cellophane is non-biodegradable, recycling really is a saviour here because by recycling this cellophane, you can ensure that there is no damage posed to the environment. 

How can all cellophane be recycled?

Therefore, let us talk about how all cellophane can be recycled. There is not much that you need to do but here are a few steps that you need to take to have your cellophane recycled. 

  • You can dump the cellophane in recycling bins. These are green-coloured bins that are intended specifically for recyclable waste. 
  • You can also drop the cellophane in recycling facilities. This way, you take one step further to properly ensure that the cellophane is recycled. However, you need to first ensure that the facilities accept cellophane material. 
  • You can also have a pick-up appointment scheduled to have the local authorities collect cellophane (and other recyclable material) from your home 

Conclusion 

It is concluded that there are two types of cello out there. One is made from cellulose (a plant-derived material) but the other is made from plastic (called propylene). 

The former is called true cellophane as it is made from cellulose (hence the name cellulose) whereas the latter is made to look and feel like cellophane, but it is plastic instead. Hence, it is important to know the difference and choose accordingly. 

Natural cellophane can be composted (if it is 100% natural) but you can not compost synthetic cellophane. However, propylene can be recycled which is the next best thing to do. 

Natural cellophane is way better and more sustainable as compared to synthetic cellophane because of aspects such as pollution, degradation, and composting.

References

Leave a Comment