In 2020, the Ice Cream Barn switched all of its packaging over to compostable products. All of our packaging is made out of plants, which can compost naturally back into soil. Our packaging that looks like plastic is PLA (polylactic acid), a plastic alternative that is derived from plants. To find out more about PLA and how it is made, check out this link from NatureWorks, a producer of PLA.

We compost any packaging and food leftovers that our customers put into our compost barrels right here at our farm. In order to compost PLA (the material that our cups, straws, spoons, and covers are made from) and our paper packaging, the right conditions are needed. Moisture and temperatures of 140° F or higher are needed to begin breaking down this packaging. Naturally-occurring microorganisms in the environment do the rest of the work. Fortunately, when microorganisms begin to break down any compostable item, such as leaves, plant matter, food scraps, or even manure, heat is naturally created. When a compost pile is large enough, the pressure and weight of that pile also creates heat, and rain creates needed moisture. A large enough composting area is needed to naturally generate the sustained heat that is necessary to turn compostable matter into soil. By adding leaves, cow manure, and/or other plant debris to our compost piles in addition to the contents of our compost barrels collected at the Ice Cream Barn, we will be able to create large enough compost piles to generate the heat and moisture needed to break down and compost everything right here on the farm. The end result is a rich, healthy soil that can be used to grow future crops. Nothing we give to our customers includes single-use material that needs to go to the landfill, where it will stay forever. Everything that we give to our customers can be composted and turned into healthy soil for future crops, creating a full-circle, sustainable, renewable, and pretty darn awesome system.

If it did NOT come from the Ice Cream Barn, please put it in one of our courtesy trash barrels, or dispose of it elsewhere. Packaging from other establishments is not usually compostable. Paper cups have a lining on them that is plastic, unless a compostable PLA lining is used in its place. Please do not assume that something is compostable and put it into our compost barrels. We screen out anything that accidentally made it into our compost barrels that did not come from the Ice Cream Barn, but it is much easier and better if nothing makes it into our compost barrels that needs to be screened out. Thank you!