Archer Daniels Midland Company Offers Technology
And Assistance For Yard Waste Composting Programs

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), an Illinois based agri-business firm, now offers an improved technology for degradable plastic compost bags. POLYCLEAN^TM-C, a cornstarch based additive specially formulated for compost bags, contains components which enhance and accelerate biological, oxidative and photodegradation of conventional plastic bags. Degradable plastic bags offer a more economic and facile means by which leaves and/or grass clippings can be transported to the compost site. Since bags containing POLYCLEAN-C do not have to be emptied at the compost site, a significant savings is realized through eliminating a previously labor-intensive step in the composting process. In addition, the bags can decompose within a composting season.

ADM is eager to provide interested waste planning officials with a complete Leaf and Yard Waste Composting Manual, as well as administrative and/or technical support in setting up project sites. A list of companies who produce degradable plastic composting bags with POLYCLEAN-C is available. Each company listed will certify that the proper amount of POLYCLEAN-C is added to each bag in order to render optimal degradation results.

An informational packet which gives a detailed description of the biological, oxidative and photodegradation mechanisms, is available upon request.

Through important findings of earlier pilot composting projects, ADM has revised its formulation for degradable plastics specifically for composting applications.

Please contact ADM Degradable Plastics at 217/424-2552 for assistance with your yard waste composting programs. •

Page 16 / Illinois Municipal Review / July 1990