uncompostable
Resists organic breakdown
Uncompostable describes materials that cannot break down through composting—the natural decomposition process that turns organic matter into soil.
Plastics, metals, and treated materials are uncompostable because they won't decompose in a compost pile: These takeout containers look eco-friendly but they're actually uncompostable.
The term often appears in waste-sorting contexts to distinguish what belongs in compost bins from what doesn't.
Waste burial ground
- e-wasteDiscarded technological devices
- batteriesPortable energy storage units
- electronicsStudy of circuits
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
toxic · incineration · leachate · ash · contamination · disposal · diapers · packaging
Capable of being molded
- styrofoamExpanded plastic foam material
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- PVCChlorinated plastic abbreviation
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
polypropylene · nylon · polyester · acrylic · Teflon · vinyl · silicone · polyurethane
Sub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- non-biodegradableResists natural decomposition
- contaminantsUnwelcome substances in something pure
- chemicalsManufactured or isolated substances
toxins · BPA · phthalates · additives · plasticizers · stabilizers · leaching · bioaccumulation
Arranging into sequence
- separationState of being apart
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- multilayerHaving multiple strata
- glossySmooth and shiny
laminated · recyclable · downcycling · inert · reprocessing · collection · curbside
landfill
Waste burial ground
- e-wasteDiscarded technological devices
- batteriesPortable energy storage units
- electronicsStudy of circuits
hazardous · toxic · incineration · leachate · ash · contamination · disposal · diapers · packaging · cling-wrap
plastic
Capable of being molded
- styrofoamExpanded plastic foam material
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- PVCChlorinated plastic abbreviation
polystyrene · polypropylene · nylon · polyester · acrylic · Teflon · vinyl · silicone · polyurethane · polycarbonate
microplastics
Sub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- non-biodegradableResists natural decomposition
- contaminantsUnwelcome substances in something pure
chemicals · toxins · BPA · phthalates · additives · plasticizers · stabilizers · leaching · bioaccumulation · carcinogens
sorting
Arranging into sequence
- separationState of being apart
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- multilayerHaving multiple strata
glossy · laminated · recyclable · downcycling · inert · reprocessing · collection · curbside
uncompostablecompostable
Able to decompose naturally
biodegradable · degradable · decomposable · organic · rotting
compost, compostable, composted, composting, composts, composter, compose, composed, composer