8. What is organic?

Most people automatically think that “organic materials” refers to things that come from plants or animals or food that is produced without using pesticides or fertilizers.

But in fact “organic” can refer to any material with a molecular structures based on carbon.

Under this definition the plastic bag that holds garbage is organic, as is much of the household waste contained inside of the bag. In fact all petroleum (oil) based products, including all plastics are organic.

This broad definition of “organic” is used because all carbon based substances – whether they come from a living organism or were manufactured – contain potential energy that can be released and used to power our communities.