Eco Stories
Biodegradable Vs Compostable, What’s The Difference?
Most of us have recycling down to a fine art now. We wash and separate our packaging and put the right items out for the curbside pick-up. But many manufacturers are now going a step further than just making their plastic bags and other plastic wrappings recyclable. We are seeing more packaging marked ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ or even both!
This can actually become quite confusing. Should I put my ‘compostable’ plastic waste in my garden compost bin? Can I still put it in the recycle bin if I don’t compost? Or should I put it in my general waste bin, and trust it will break down at a landfill site? It’s definitely not always clear and the terms biodegradable and compostable seem to be often used interchangeably.
In this blog, we will clear up any confusion and make disposing of these types of plastic simple.
What Does Biodegradable Mean?
The term ‘biodegradable’ is in fact a general term which means any material that can be broken down by microorganisms (like bacteria and fungi) and then is assimilated into the natural environment.
It’s a naturally occurring process found in nature but the term biodegradable can be applied to almost any object. When something degrades, its original composition breaks down into simple components like biomass, carbon dioxide, and water. This process can occur with or without oxygen but is quicker when oxygen is present like when a pile of leaves decays into soil over time.
It’s the length of time that it takes a material to break down - and what it breaks down into - that causes the problems for our environment. How long it takes depends on what the item is made from and other variables like the amount of water, light, heat and oxygen available.
It’s a naturally occurring process found in nature but the term biodegradable can be applied to almost any object. When something degrades, its original composition breaks down into simple components like biomass, carbon dioxide, and water. This process can occur with or without oxygen but is quicker when oxygen is present like when a pile of leaves decays into soil over time.
It’s the length of time that it takes a material to break down - and what it breaks down into - that causes the problems for our environment. How long it takes depends on what the item is made from and other variables like the amount of water, light, heat and oxygen available.
Is There Biodegradable Plastic?
Unfortunately, there currently isn’t a widely recognised standard or logo for degradable plastics in the UK. Most will have the word ‘degradable’ on them somewhere, often accompanied by imagery suggesting that the product is ‘eco-friendly’. But, beware, they could be made of petro-chemicals and not necessarily derivatives of natural materials such as cornstarch.
These plastics can’t go in the recycling bin, as they will contaminate otherwise recyclable materials, and can’t go into your home composts as they need to be industrially composted. Brands are able to use broad-sweeping claims, such as ‘biodegradable’, and even ‘green’, ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘sustainable’ because these words have no clearly defined meaning.
These plastics can’t go in the recycling bin, as they will contaminate otherwise recyclable materials, and can’t go into your home composts as they need to be industrially composted. Brands are able to use broad-sweeping claims, such as ‘biodegradable’, and even ‘green’, ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘sustainable’ because these words have no clearly defined meaning.
What About Bioplastics?
Bioplastic is a term used to describe what a plastic is made from and has no bearing on how it degrades. Standard plastics are made from fossil fuel-derived ingredients, whilst bio-plastics are made from ‘naturally’ derived materials such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, wood chippings, sawdust, or even algae and seaweed.
Again, it’s important to be aware that bio-plastics aren’t necessarily biodegradable. Those that are biodegradable will be labelled as such, but otherwise, it’s best to assume that the bioplastic is materially identical to a regular plastic and might take a long period of time to break down in the environment.
Again, it’s important to be aware that bio-plastics aren’t necessarily biodegradable. Those that are biodegradable will be labelled as such, but otherwise, it’s best to assume that the bioplastic is materially identical to a regular plastic and might take a long period of time to break down in the environment.
So, What Are Compostable Products?
When we think of compost, most of us think of garden waste - such as leaves, grass clippings and non-animal food waste. But the term can also apply to anything made from organic matter which will break down in less than 12 weeks and will improve and create nutrient-rich soil.
Compostable items are made from materials that have been certified to break down completely into non-toxic components (water, carbon dioxide, and biomass) and that will not harm the environment, given the right environment. When the item is fully composted, it will have left no toxic residue in the soil.
Compostable items are made from materials that have been certified to break down completely into non-toxic components (water, carbon dioxide, and biomass) and that will not harm the environment, given the right environment. When the item is fully composted, it will have left no toxic residue in the soil.
Composting At Home Vs Industrial Composting
The phrase "compostable" can be used to refer to both products that are only appropriate for use in home compost setups and those that can only break down in an industrial composting facility.
Composting at home is perfect for most food and organic waste, however, it doesn’t create the right conditions to break down many types of compostable packaging, such as coffee cups. This is because in most garden compost heaps, the temperature is much lower and much less constant than in an industrial composting facility.
Take, for example, coffee cups lined with PLA - a bioplastic made from cornstarch. These are compostable but are not suitable for home composting. PLA needs processing by an industrial facility. Fortunately, some companies are moving forward with producing plastic bags that are home compostable. Remember that home compostable plastics are non-recyclable.
Composting at home is perfect for most food and organic waste, however, it doesn’t create the right conditions to break down many types of compostable packaging, such as coffee cups. This is because in most garden compost heaps, the temperature is much lower and much less constant than in an industrial composting facility.
Take, for example, coffee cups lined with PLA - a bioplastic made from cornstarch. These are compostable but are not suitable for home composting. PLA needs processing by an industrial facility. Fortunately, some companies are moving forward with producing plastic bags that are home compostable. Remember that home compostable plastics are non-recyclable.
What To Remember About Biodegradable And Compostable Materials?
It would be difficult to avoid everything biodegradable because, given enough time, almost everything will decompose. But to make the best choices for the environment, don’t be greenwashed by claims of ‘biodegradable’ products or ‘compostable’ coffee cups.
Choose reusable things whenever possible, or recycle as much as you can. Begin to ditch any single-use plastic, however green it might appear. Everything else, even packaging marked as biodegradable and compostable (unless it can be picked up by your local authority or is suitable for home composting), should be disposed of with general rubbish.
Choose reusable things whenever possible, or recycle as much as you can. Begin to ditch any single-use plastic, however green it might appear. Everything else, even packaging marked as biodegradable and compostable (unless it can be picked up by your local authority or is suitable for home composting), should be disposed of with general rubbish.
Let’s focus on ditching single-use plastics and embracing circular habits that truly benefit our ecosystem. Shop smart, dispose correctly, and help us pave the way for a waste-free future!
