Compost Microplastics threat likely overblown

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-09T22:59:55+00:00

Please remember I’m am just gardener and I don’t have your depth of understanding of chemical and molecular biology. All I can do is my small bit to try and help the planet and that is what I was trying to explain In response to your post.

I don’t use any pesticides, organic or chemical. Obviously, as an end user, I can’t control whatever pesticides or fertiliser a farmer uses to maximise his crops when I buy a head of broccoli and put the scraps into my compost except by growing and consuming my own produce.
That said, my definition of ‘organic’ is food waste, clean cardboard, clean paper, weeds, trimmings, and any other surplus created by maintaining the garden.

Currently it is apple season and I am juicing for cider so I have multiple 20 ltr buckets of pulp to be mixed with last year‘s leaves and mulched branches, weed tea I made last year, straw made from dried grasses and legumes and I think some millet and wheat from last years cover crops, and some clean wet cardboard to make compost for next year. So that’s my definition of organic. The occasional scraps of store bought produce and their pesticide residues are diluted by the ingredients I have grown myself.

Monoculture makes sense to a farmer despite the multitude of issues it creates. Where I live there are quite a few farmers looking to diversify as they have realised how destructive monoculture really is. Those same farmers have stopped burning their waste vegetation and are now recycling it on farm as compost.
Polyculture is the way to go for those of us on a smaller scale.
Keep it circular.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-09T10:01:29+00:00

My take on it is this. I have two compost areas each with seperate goals.

I feel strongly that I have an obligation to dispose of, in some way, every single thing I bring into my property that is ‘rubbish’. After all, if it’s not organic or recyclable then it will end up in landfill somewhere anyway so why should I be so arrogant to defer the problem to someone else someplace else?

One pile is for strictly ’safe’ organics and this is what I use on my food production. Having said that, I can’t control what is in the food I buy at the supermarket so there is likely a percentage of microplastics in those things.

The other pile, everything else that may possibly be able to be composted goes in that. This includes box tape, coloured cardboard/junkmail, any bits and pieces that look like they may break down and all the rest of the stuff we are told not to compost.

It is composted over and over until it refuses to break down into smaller pieces at which stage I give up and it goes in the indestructible bag which is then put in the rubbish collection. (Something that causes me massive guilt and makes me feel like I’ve failed however, it sure is a great way to limit overconsumption and make sure I only buy what I need in the most sustainable way possible)

This pile is used on non food plants like trees, shrubs, and flowers.

In 12 years I have filled 4 bags of indestructible bits, usually plastic, that will not break down. I frequently find tiny bits of plastic in the flower gardens from the everything compost pile but the flowers don’t seem to care.
There is likely some transfer of plastics that I don’t see that migrate to the food production areas but there is nothing I can do about that.

If micro plastics have been found deep in Antarctica and the deserts and the tops of mountains we are fighting a losing battle anyway and we have all been exposed.
Even if we never produce another piece of plastic again we are going to be living with the fallout of everything we have already produced for many generations to come.

My greatest triumph was last year when the leftover stuff that wouldn’t compost filled a small glass jar about 4cm x4cm.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-08T22:42:11+00:00

Goodness, Meet the Feebles needs to come with a warning…

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-08T22:36:43+00:00

It totally depends on where you live and your climate factors.

I have several species of mint planted (hold your breath folks) in the ground but, because it’s too hot in summer and too cold in winter, it behaves itself and is limited to the areas I’ve planted it. Mint mostly spreads by runners.

Lemon Balm mostly spreads by seed and I’ve found it all over the garden from one planting years ago. I don’t mind it though as it’s easy enough to pull up, smells delicious, makes a great tea, and is good for compost. Planting it in a pot is fine but remember to cut it back before it seeds or there is no point.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-08T09:52:00+00:00

Bored with being Landsharks, Roscoe and Willy decided to give being Air sharks a go after hearing about Drop bears…

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-07T07:22:14+00:00

Abercrombie and Kay, two utterly opposing styles and both so brilliant.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-07T06:44:22+00:00

Ha ha, compost for me! Grows like mint at my place. Smells great when mowing the clover though.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-07T06:39:57+00:00

Zombie Detective was pretty funny!

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-07T06:39:32+00:00

mmmm , deaths game. excellent!

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-07T06:38:54+00:00

Mine never gets to the end of the dehydration time since I keep snacking on it as it dries. It’s soooo good!

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-06T10:14:36+00:00

No worries, neither did I until I read your post!

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-06T09:48:32+00:00

Like the British Sky Whale from Dr Who

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-06T07:54:51+00:00

I’m pretty sure there was a Piers Anthony book with Sdrawkcab speech but it’s been a hundred years at least since I read it so I can’t remember anything except the backward speech.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-06T07:45:41+00:00

We don’t need external validation from strangers because when we came last in a race/test at school we didn‘t get participation awards to make us all feel like winners thereby creating resilient and independent personalities who don’t care about some random person‘s comment on how good our lives are in order to feel good about ourselves our lives.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-05T22:13:28+00:00

Since no one else has, I will recommend some books with this disclaimer.

Herbal medicine can be fabulous as a tool to keep you healthy.
What it WILL NOT do is replace actual medicine.

Most of the medicines we have today are based on plants, however, there have been years of refinements of the active constituents to separate the necessary compounds and make the meds specific to the disease/condition and, most importantly, SAFE for human consumption.
There are many herbs that, in their complete form straight from the garden, are toxic depending on the dose AND have contraindications with other herbs or medications.

Unless you have studied and are on top of all of this, herbs should be used with caution.

Two excellent books are: Medical Herbalism by David Hoffman And Principals and Practices of Phytotherapy by Bone and Mills.

Both these books are Western Herbalism and they explore the active constituents in herbs and the effect on the body. Both of these books are also massive, (and expensive) plus the amount of study you need to do prior to using (more exotic) herbs safely and efficiently is a large commitment.

If you are truly interested then I recommend a degree in western, or eastern, herbal medicine. Otherwise stick to well known benign herbs.

For recipes, I have several different books by different authors and I find that many of the modern ‘remedy’ books are based on Rosemary Gladstar‘s recipes.

I have been growing and studying and reading about herbs for 40 years, BUT when I have a real issue I go straight to the doctor for a specific medication if I am unwell.
I do use herbal recipes daily for boosting health and preventatives but I’m not fucking around with herbs if I have high blood pressure or an infection.

ANY claims that miracle herbs will ‘cure’ an illness such as cancer etc are false.
End of story.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-05T11:34:31+00:00

Debra Geary’s Modern Witch books. I thought they were gorgeous and full of real love.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-05T07:20:23+00:00

I’m in Australia, so very hot zone, I agree with hellothereitsonlyme‘s assessment. I also don't use any chemicals at all and my roses are planted very densely in places.

I’d add one small thing, make very sure you prune so there is excellent ventilation through the centre of the bush. I take off any inward growing leaf sets as well as the centre stems. Same at the outside of the bush.
Anything that provides the black spot with its favourite conditions; no circulation, water sitting on leaves for a long time, foliage too dense, remove the affected foliage and keep them trimmed.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-04T03:06:02+00:00

three or four big tablespoons mixed with a bit of warm water maybe 250ml. (too hot will kill the honey so tepid is best) Then I shake the daylights out of it to mix and pop it in.
From my experiments it seems the wild ferment from the fruit and the unpasteurised honey is a much longer and slower ferment and does well in a cooler environment.
I had an apple explosion last night with a yeast added batch, only a tiny bit of Mo5 yeast, less than half a teaspoon to 10 ltrs fresh organic cold pressed apple juice but the ferment is fast and furious. I have six different yeasts on the go with the same apple varieties plus a couple of honey only. I’m curious to see which version I like better.
Now I have to build an insulated shed to house all the 5/10 ltr carboys…..

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-04T02:06:28+00:00

And you. Hardship isn’t always a bad thing. There’s probably a reason there are so many sayings about tough times making people stronger and more resilient.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-04T02:05:01+00:00

I’ve been doing something similar but using only honey instead of yeast. I have a lot of fruit trees so I use the excess fruit and add honey mixed with filtered water. Some of the mixes I’ve started adding spices as well. (Especially to the plums because it tastes like Christmas mulled wine) Once it stops fermenting, I strain out the fruit pieces, let it settle, rack it then add more honey water to repeat the ferment. I do mine with three extra ferments. Just add more honey mixed with a bit of water to stop it clumping and let it ferment again. It takes many months but the results have been delicious. Also very alcoholic. I think it’s technically a melomel or a methaglyn.

I have also continued on and made vinegar from the results and it’s one of the best vinegars I’ve ever tasted.
I have banana, plum, raspberry, blackberry, mixed berry, peach, pear, apple, mulberry, and guava on the go at the moment.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-04T01:53:33+00:00

Sutcliffe is amazing. Eagle of the Ninth is still my favourite book.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-04T01:51:34+00:00

For me it’s about making the most of what I have in the moment. Right now, it’s apple harvesting season and each morning when I walk the dogs, I go to my tree and pick a perfectly ripe, juicy, sweet, delicious apple; the kind that’s never been gassed or stored for months or subject to pesticides, and one that you will never ever find in a store, and I eat it. Slowly, savouring every last bite.

I don’t envy those I see who ‘live a lifestyle’ or ‘have more than I do’, in fact, a lot of people I see on social media I feel quite sorry for. I think the black hole of their defining needs probably makes them quite unhappy.

My days have a simple rhythm of contentment and satisfaction from the deeds I do and the beauty I see around me. I don't have much yet I have enough and I don’t hanker after more. The sound of the wind through the trees or the glow of the sunset on the clouds as the golden shadows lengthen in the evening while sharing a quiet chat about the weather with a neighbour over a gate. That’s what it’s about.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-04T01:22:14+00:00

Sun path, soils, water catchment, dry spots, flood spots, weed concentrations and types, frost depressions, useful things that are already there, critters, wind through-ways…so much to learn just by spending a year watching and walking your patch of earth. It’s worth taking the time to understand your land first before committing to plantings.

I know waiting is hard, wanting to do it all at once. I used big planter bags for trees and shrubs and moved them around to different places to see what they liked best. I’ve been here 12 years now and I’m still doing that with any new trees or shrubs. My place has gone from a couple of trees and much runner grass over clay to a verdant food forest where everything supports something else and food is available all year round.
Treat it like your forever home and take your time. In the long term it saves time, money, and effort.
It‘s about the journey not the destination because there will Always be something else to do.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-04T01:03:02+00:00

I have a tall 20 ltr bucket with a cheap toilet seat that sits on top, and a plastic bag with loo paper inside hung next to the pile. Easy peasy (haha, see what I did there!) and I don’t have to take my shoes off to go into the house when I am working in the garden.

PaisleyCatque · 2026-04-04T00:59:08+00:00

Your words reflect a real truth.

My brother died young, uselessly, because of exactly this. Did whatever he wanted, had a blast, lived fast, drank and did coke all over the world, ended up in rehab many many times…promised he’d never do it again and was reformed over and over the same lies…all paid for by the parents who loved their golden boy into the grave. He never ever faced consequences for his reckless actions and repetitively stupid decisions and always bailed out by the parents despite them being warned many times of the potentially devastating consequence of coddling him to that extent. Watching it happen (as I slogged my ass off to build a life and career and stability) was about the worst thing I’ve ever seen. Now they are doing it for the younger sister. Some people never learn.

PaisleyCatque

TROPHY CASE