Comment by cathyray on April 22, 2011 at 2:26pm

Thanks Mass! good too high week!

Comment by cc on April 22, 2011 at 5:17pm

Good selection, thank you very much.

Comment by Lahjik on April 22, 2011 at 5:47pm

I'm curious about the whole idea of separating out compostable matter from the less so.  I always figure that the organic debris in the landfill would tend to help create conditions more likely to start breaking down the stuff that is resistant.  Wet organics, like rotting food, would likely help start decomposition of woods, paper, etc.  By separating it out you lower the likelihood of those products being reintegrated into the soil, right?  It does create a viable product, good compost, from what would otherwise be trash, but I don't know if it really is a positive with regards to a green mindset.

Comment by cc on April 22, 2011 at 5:51pm

I have wondered about that, too, Lahjik. I sat on the plane next to a solid waste expert once. He told me how sunlight causes plastic to break down, but buried, plastic will never break down.

Comment by Krista on April 22, 2011 at 11:51pm

hmm...sounds like a solution to both is a) compost at your own home and b) recycle!!!

great week, masshole!!  and I'm super intrigued to see how things turn out for Johnson...

Comment by Katys on April 25, 2011 at 9:16am

Regarding compostable matter:

Years ago I heard a talk by William Rathje an archeologist at the University of Arizona who began Le Projet du Garbàge in 1973 digging through the land fills of Tucson. It was a fascinating talk. As I understand it garbage needs oxygen to decay and layers of additional garbage will cut off oxygen to the lower levels. He said they even found partially eaten T-bone steaks with meat still on the bone. For the 30 or so years that I managed my own compost heap, I thought of that talk as I turned the my garbage to allow oxygen into the pile. I am certain that it is more complex a process than I even imagine.  

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