There is a lively debate in the environmental community about composting. Just using products that are labeled “compostable” does not ensure that they will be properly composted. Compostable products that are sent to a landfill will not break down quickly if they are covered with other waste. “If you put it in the dump, it won’t degrade,” said Tom Szaky, the chief executive of Terracycle, a company that turns trash into new products. “If the cups and plates aren’t sent to a composter, forget it.”