"Hi, Jacob. We know this is a serious issue! We've read stories about Vermonters who've had bears break into their homes b/c of the new composting mandate."

"Hi, there.  Petal Co-founder and EVP of Social Impact here. Thanks so much for taking the time to cover our product! I wanted to address some of the issues you raised above. 1) Mixing compostable food scraps with other garbage: If you are using Petal for compostable food scraps, you should NOT mix it with other garbage. Petal has myriad use cases, but that doesn't mean you should use it for everything at the same time. Once you've finished using it for baby diapers, move it to the kitchen for compost scraps or the bathroom for feminine hygiene or adult incontinence products. 2) Stopping the spread of germs: Covid notwithstanding, the safe disposal of medical waste is a serious public health issue--in hospitals, nursing homes, disaster relief shelters, and anywhere else where vulnerable populations are housed (including your home, if you're caring for someone who's immune compromised). Considering how quickly infection can spread, it's critical that we do whatever we can to protect people, both patients and healthcare workers alike. If Petal can prevent even one death, we believe it's worth it. 3) You've learned to "deal with" the most horrific smells that humans produce: The fact that humans have gotten used to the stench of feces, urine, or decaying organic matter in our homes is a sad fact. For the past 150 years, virtually nothing about the waste bin has changed, and we're not okay with it. At Petal, we're unwilling to accept the status quo. We're committed to stopping rot, stink, and germs, and we believe that everyone deserves to live in clean, healthy, and sustainable environments. As more states and municipalities consider public composting initiatives, we believe Petal can convert those who view it as a burden. For less than 8Kwh ($1)/month in energy, the carbon offset of composting your food scraps far outweighs the electricity consumption. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any additional issues or questions! christie.zwahlen@petalllc.com"