Yes, labeling does sound like an excellent, helpful idea. As the level of awareness gradually increases, and finally reaches political leaders, I believe we are likely to have either laws for compostability (where possible), or prior to that happening at least labeling about compostability and biodegradability. The value of it, as in food labeling, is that the manufacturers know all the details of their products. After a modest, fixed expense they can create the appropriate labeling, after which millions of people immediately have useful information that otherwise would be effectively impossible to determine.

As far as using more fossily fuels than plastic to produce - first, that is an argument to reduce usage of everything within reason. That should always be the first term, as in the mantra “Reduce, reuse, recycle” (in that order of preference). However, I would like to see your source of information which is implying that it is better to make plastic than compostables from a global warming viewpoint. Please post it here if you can still locate it. The problem is that many such accountings omit issues such as disposal overhead, long-term toxic chemical residue, and other factors.

All that being said, I understand that the world has a lot to learn… we all need to know more about what substitutes exist for plastic. To what degree are they good for all the other applications of plastic beyond tableware and bags? Of this I am sure, however: plastics are highly destructive of the environment. We need to promote knowledge about, and production and use (when necessary) of organically created and destructible items instead of plastic versions. We need both short-term and long-term solutions. Any voice with some information in this goal, is welcome.

Psst…
Today’s “Save the Ocean” post is on using less plastic. Go read it
A week ago I highlighted a news article which reported that a certain premiere university in Malaysia has adopted a “go green” concept and decid…