FTC Claims Fruits and Vegetables Are Not Biodegradable

(Press Release) – Sept. 02, 2009 – Chicago, IL – Webster's definition of biodegradable is "Capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action of living things (as microorganisms)," but, apparently, the FTC doesn't subscribe to the same definition. When reviewing the FTC's definition of biodegradable, it becomes evident that they place a great deal of emphasis on "materials breaking down in a reasonably short period of time after customary disposal".



The operative phrase here, for the FTC, is "customary disposal". The FTC states that viscose/rayon from bamboo does not meet the criteria for a biodegradable product. The FTC also goes on to use terms as "false" and "deceptively" when describing the labeling and/or product descriptions of bamboo fabrics.



Dr. William Rathje, author of the book "Rubbish" (and an archeologist with a Harvard Ph.D.) began a garbage project while teaching at the University of Arizona. His ambitious project included the excavation of 15 landfills across North America. His findings: "[Landfills"> are not vast composters: rather they are vast mummifiers."



According to the QLPA (Queensland Litter Prevention Alliance), the decomposition time for a banana skin is three to four weeks, and the decomposition time for a paper bag is one month. Is a banana peel biodegradable? Is a piece of paper or a head of lettuce biodegradable? According to Rathje's findings and the FTC's definition, no, because today's modern landfills are designed (by law) to keep out air, moisture, and sunlight--so nothing is biodegradable! And this is done intentionally to prevent pollutants from getting into our air and drinking water.



According to Dr. Rathje's findings, landfills (mummifiers) don't allow for the decomposition of much of anything. As an example of this, he found 40-year-old newspapers that were still legible. He also found a head of lettuce that was five years old amongst numerous other "biodegradable" items! And the FTC is using our landfill decomposition rates as the main qualifier for whether or not viscose/rayon from bamboo is biodegradable!



Additionally, the FTC has designated companies, which are advertising bamboo products as biodegradable, criminals who are intentionally misleading the public. What is the FTC's motivation here?



And it's not just bamboo products that the FTC is targeting. It appears that they have targeted Kmart's American Fare paper plates, Bath brand moist wipes, and Dyna E International's Lightload brand compressed dry towels in relation to their biodegradability. The latter believing in their product decided to fight the FTC's allegations.



The company has posted its lab results on their website, and a quote from the report, performed by an independent company that does biogeochemistry research and analysis, says "The material was found to be ultimately biodegradable, and was mineralized to an even greater extent than the cellulose reference material. The result is not surprising, since rayon is merely a modified cellulose, and there is extensive documentation in the published scientific literature demonstrating that rayon materials are biodegradable under most conditions."



That last bit is particularly interesting, since the FTC insists that bamboo derived fibers must be represented as "rayon" and/or "viscose". So, bamboo, according to the FTC, is a rayon product, that is not biodegradable, yet there is extensive published scientific data that supports the fact that rayon is a biodegradable material.



Despite their scientific evidence proving their product is biodegradable, the FTC recently made a final judgement concluding that due to the fact their product would most likely be disposed of by "customary method", ie; landfills, they would not consider this product to be biodegradable.



This is only one illustration of the FTC's ineptness and/or unwillingness to look at these studies with objectivity. It's sad when a government agency--that is supposed to be looking out for consumers and small businesses alike--performs its duties like that of the government of a third-world country dictatorship.



Where is the motivation for businesses to "go green" and put their resources and finances into producing biodegradable products when the FTC will not allow them to make this claim because, after all, customary disposal in the United States goes into landfills where decomposition is just not possible in a "relatively short time period?"
About Green Earth Bamboo

Green Earth Bamboo is an online retailer of bedding, towels, clothing and other bamboo products, ensuring top comfort and quality, and their mission is to step back in time to a place where consumers and business owners built relationships on the foundation of trust, honesty and integrity. As part of a growing niche market, Green Earth Bamboo strives to provide environmentally-friendly products at affordable prices while providing a hassle-free and enjoyable shopping experience. For more information, visit Green Earth Bamboo, or the blog at Green Earth News