Climate change is getting terrible and everyone wants to take a step to create a sustainable environment. If you also want to make your kitchen eco-friendly, then you are on the right track. You can start this by composting the wax paper you use.
This blog will explain how to and what type of wax paper you can compost. We ensure to solve all your queries by the time you are done reading it.
Explaining Wax Paper And Composting
Wax paper is widely used in food industries. It is covered with paraffin wax or soybean wax. It is used for wrapping, freezing, cleaning and more. Composting refers to controlled natural breakdown of organic material like yard trims or food scrapings into nutrient rich soil called compost. Now let’s decode the question: is waxed paper compostable?
Is Wax Paper Compostable Or Not
There is no single answer to this question. The composting of wax paper depends on various factors such as type of wax paper. If wax paper is coated with paraffin wax and or petroleum based material then it’s an issue. Paraffin and petroleum have chemicals that can harm the composting microorganisms. There are certain types of wax paper that are compostable. Here’s the list of it.
Types Of Wax Paper That Are Compostable
The most commonly used wax paper is dry wax paper coated with paraffin wax. Since paraffin wax is not suitable for composting, people always ask is wax paper recyclable or compostable? Yes, here are the types of wax paper that are easily compostable.
Beeswax Paper
Beeswax paper is compostable because honey bees naturally produce the wax. The wax contains numerous long-chain alcohols and fatty acid esters. The all-natural organic quality of beeswax makes it eco-friendly and easy for microorganisms to digest.
Soya Bean Wax Paper
Wax paper with 100 percent soybean oil wax is compostable. This paper is made from soybean wax that belongs to the legume family. This type of legume is native to East Asia.
Once the soybeans have been harvested and cleaned, the soybeans’ shells are stripped off or dehulled and made into flakes. Oil is extracted from the flakes, and through hydrogenation, the oil’s fatty acid components are made more saturated. This causes changes in the oil’s melting point, making it solidify at room temperature.
Printed Wax Paper
People often ask whether printed wax paper is still compostable . It actually doesn’t matter whether it is plain or custom printed wax paper. The compostability depends upon the type of wax used for coating that paper. You can take bees wax paper or soya bean paper and print any design you want on it.
Bleached Vs Unbleached Paper.
One important factor to remember is that the difference between bleached and unbleached is mostly about the treatment of the paper, not the wax itself. Both contribute to compostability in different ways. The wax determines if the paper will compost at all. The bleached paper might add some chlorine residue. The chlorine makes bleached paper riskier for a fully organic compost pile, even when paired with a compostable wax. The unbleached paper is brown and safe to compost. See this table for clear understanding.
| Wax Coating | Source | Compostable | Paper Type Note |
| Paraffin Wax | Petroleum based | No | Can be on bleached or unbleached paper , wax type is the deciding factor |
| Petroleum wax | Petroleum based | No | Can be on bleached or unbleached paper, wax type is the deciding factor |
| Soya bean wax | Plant based | Yes | Best on unbleached paper for fully organic compost; bleached paper adds chlorine risk |
| Bees wax | Natural (insect-derived) | Yes | Best on unbleached paper for fully organic compost; bleached paper adds chlorine risk |
How To Compost A Wax Paper
Now you know what type of wax paper is compostable but if you aren’t sure of the process Here is a step by step guide.
Chop Into Pieces
Chop the paper into smaller pieces ,the chopping of paper will ensure that the composting process becomes faster.
Add To Compost Pile
Put the paper into an appropriate pile of other compostable kitchen waste. It would be better to use high nitrogen based substances like fruit vegetables scrap, plant trimmings and coffee grounds along with paper as the decomposition process becomes easy with high nitrogen.
Ensure Right Conditions For Compost
It should be ensured that your composting pile which you have prepared has moisture and is under high heat as these factors will ensure the composting process is completed successfully.
Monitor The Compost
As the wax coated compostable paper needs time for the decomposition process to get completed, it will be appropriate on your part to monitor your compost file from time to time.
Is Wax Paper Commercially Compostable
The answer is a bit complicated. But sums up to a NO. Most commercially compostable programs reject wax paper because it’s hard to identify what type of wax paper it is. Some papers have certification. Check your local waste management guidelines before making a decision.
Is Biodegradable Same As Compostable
There is nothing wrong if you are wondering: Is wax paper biodegradable? People always mix the concept of biodegradable and compostability. The key difference between both is that biodegradable takes an indefinite period for the material to break down. On the other hand, Compostable will break down into natural substances within a definite period of time. But it will need some conditions that are present in industrial composting sites.
Conclusion
It is better to use a compostable wax paper to sustain the environment. At Wax Papers Hub we provide custom kraft paper, all types of custom wax paper and much more. We got everything you need.