You’ve probably seen biodegradable splashed on trash bags, coffee cups, wipes, packaging, clothing, and food containers at some point – but does it really mean what you think it does?
The truth is that being biodegradable doesn’t necessarily make a product clean, mean it breaks down quickly, or that it’s automatically safe for your home compost bin. It’s a term that’s often misunderstood.
Understanding What Does Biodegradable Mean will help you make better choices, avoid getting ripped off by greenwashing, and even lower your waste in a way that really has an impact.
Quick Answer: What Does Biodegradable Mean?
So, what does biodegradable even mean? In simple terms, it means a material can be broken down by tiny living things like bacteria, fungi and algae into some more natural substances like water, carbon dioxide, biomass, or methane – depending on where its going to end up.
However, the label doesn’t guarantee it will break down fast or at all in places like landfills, oceans, or even your home compost bin. Temperatures, moisture levels, oxygen levels, and even the chemistry of the material and how you dispose of it all play a part.
Key Takeaways
- Biodegradable really just means that microorganisms can eventually break it down – but it doesn’t necessarily happen fast or in the right places
- A biodegradable product is not automatically compostable, ocean-safe, plastic-free or sustainable.
- Compostable products need to meet stricter standards and usually need specific composting conditions to work.
- A product’s true environmental impact relies on where it ends up – is it going to be composted, sent to landfill, get recycled, dumped on the ground or end up in a waterway?
- Be really wary of vague claims like “green”, “eco-friendly” or “degradable” unless they include clear standards, certifications, and disposal guidelines.
What Does Biodegradable Actually Mean?
When we talk about biodegradable materials, we’re referring to stuff that can be broken down by living microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, algae and other small critters found in nature. These tiny organisms use organic matter to survive.
In the right conditions, biodegradable materials can break down into things like:
- Water and carbon dioxide – and sometimes even a bit of extra organic matter.
- But that doesn’t necessarily mean they break down fast, or at all, in the right places.
Common biodegradable materials include food scraps, dry leaves, wood that hasn’t been treated, plain old paper, cardboard, cotton, and wool – all pretty natural stuff.
But here’s the thing – the term “biodegradable” actually doesn’t tell you a whole lot. It doesn’t explain:
- How long it’s actually going to take for it to break down
- What kind of conditions it needs to break down in
- If it leaves behind any nasty residues
- If it’s safe to compost or if it’ll just turn to mush in the wrong bin
- If its the best choice, even if it is biodegradable, because let’s be real – maybe a reusable option would be better.
That’s why a product can be technically biodegradable but still be a pretty terrible choice if its used once, tossed in the wrong bin or sent to a place where it just cant break down properly.
How Biodegradation Works
Biodegradation occurs when microorganisms start to break down materials at a chemical level. What the material looks like on the inside and what the surrounding environment is like both play a role in the process.
- Microbes Get Their Foot In The Door
First, bacteria, fungi and the like start colonizing the surface of the material, if it’s exposed to the right conditions – moisture, a bit of oxygen, warmth and some active soil or compost going on.
Food scraps, leaves, and other organic materials are generally easier to process than most plastic, which is designed to be strong, light and water-resistant as well as durable – all qualities that make it tough for microbes to break down.
- Enzymes Start Breaking Down The Material
The microbes then release enzymes which break down big molecules into smaller pieces. Generally, natural materials are easier to break down because microbes have evolved to process them. Think cellulose, starch and proteins.
However, conventional plastics are a different story altogether. Those qualities that make them so useful to us – like being strong and lightweight – are the very same ones that make them hard to fully break down for microbes.
- The Material Is Broken Down Further
As microbes keep working, the material gets transformed into simpler substances. What comes out in the end really depends on whether oxygen is present or not.
When there’s plenty of oxygen around, biodegradation usually results in carbon dioxide, water, some heat and stabilised organic matter. However, in low-oxygen conditions, such as what you’d find in buried landfill zones, organic material can produce methane instead.
Why Oxygen Matters A Lot
Biodegradation happens in one of two main ways – aerobic or anaerobic.
Aerobic Biodegradation
Aerobic biodegradation happens when there’s plenty of oxygen around. Think healthy compost piles, surface soil, or well-run industrial composting systems.
In aerobic conditions, microbes break down organic matter much more efficiently, producing carbon dioxide, water, heat and stabilised organic material as a result. This is one reason why composting food scraps and yard waste can be useful – it keeps a lid on organic material going into landfills and turns it into something much more useful for your garden when done right.
Anaerobic Biodegradation
Anaerobic biodegradation happens when oxygen is in short supply or missing altogether. This is pretty typical in landfills, where waste gets compacted and buried and covered up.
In anaerobic conditions, organic waste can produce methane – a pretty potent greenhouse gas. The EPA has found that landfilled food waste seems to play a pretty big role in methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills, which is part of the reason why diverting food waste and composting can be such an important strategy when it comes to tackling climate change.
How Fast Does Something Break Down to Actually be Called Biodegradable ?
There isn’t any one universally agreed timeline for all biodegradable products. The speed of breakdown depends on what the thing is made of, the temperature its in – not too hot, not too cold – how much moisture and oxygen it gets, and the types of microorganisms around it. Plus, the way its disposed of makes a big difference.
A banana peel will break down pretty fast in a warm compost heap. But a cotton shirt can hang around for months – or more – in the soil. And don’t even get me started on biodegradable coffee cups. They may need special industrial composting equipment to even start the process. And conventional plastic bottles? Those things can last for decades, even centuries – breaking down bit by bit into tiny pieces, unfortunately.
The key thing to get your head around is this:
Biodegradable does not mean its gone in an instant. It just means that its possible for it to break down under the right biological conditions.
What Do the Standards Say ?
Some standards do offer guidelines, but these only apply to specific claims and very controlled circumstances.
In Europe, for example, the EN 13432 compostability standard for packaging requires a pretty high benchmark: at least 90% of that packaging will break down within six months under very specific composting conditions. But – and its a big but – that does not mean every single thing thats labelled biodegradable will break down in a landfill, ocean or back yard compost bin within six months.
In the United States, the FTC Green Guides give pretty clear warning to marketers to be careful about making broad environmental claims. They’re saying that if you make a degradable claim, you need to be able to prove that the whole product or packaging will break down completely and become one with nature in a pretty short space of time after normal disposal. The FTC summary gives one year as the benchmark for complete decomposition of solid-waste products, and are warning that things that end up in landfills, incinerators or recycling facilities won’t meet that deadline.
Biodegradable vs. Compostable vs. Bio-Based vs. Degradable
Many environmental labels sound similar, but they do not mean the same thing.
| Term | What It Means | What to Watch For |
| Biodegradable | Can be broken down by microorganisms over time | Does not guarantee speed, safety, or proper disposal |
| Compostable | Can break down into compost under specific conditions | Often requires industrial composting unless labeled home compostable |
| Bio-based | Made partly or fully from renewable biological materials | Not automatically biodegradable or compostable |
| Degradable | Can break apart or chemically degrade | May only fragment into smaller pieces |
| Oxo-degradable | Plastic with additives that promote fragmentation | Widely criticized because it can contribute to microplastic pollution |
Biodegradable
Biodegradable is the term most people are familiar with, it means that microorganisms can break down the material, given the right conditions.
The catch though is that this term is pretty vague – it doesn’t really give us any idea of how long it takes, how it gets broken down, or where it gets disposed of.
Compostable
Compostable is a more specific term – a product that’s compostable has to break down in composting conditions within a certain timeframe, and it shouldn’t leave behind anything toxic that messes with the compost.
Now here’s the thing, all compostable materials are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable materials are compostable.
For example, you can take food scraps and dry leaves – they’re both biodegradable and compostable. But some biodegradable plastics may not actually break down in a home compost bin.
Bio-Based
Bio-based means a material comes from renewable biological sources, like corn, sugarcane, potato starch, bamboo, or wood pulp.
But just because it’s bio-based doesn’t mean it’s biodegradable – Bio-PET, for example, might be made partly from plant-based stuff, but at the end of the day it behaves just like regular PET plastic.
Degradable
Degradable is a pretty watered down term – it might just mean the product turns into smaller pieces because of sunlight, heat or chemical action.
And here’s the thing – just because something degrades, doesn’t mean it biodegrades. It might just become microplastic.
Oxo-Degradable
Oxo-degradable plastics have additives that help it break down under certain conditions. But these materials are super divisive because they can break into smaller pieces without actually biodegrading – and the EU has made it illegal to use them under its Single-Use Plastic rules.
So, What Makes Something Biodegradable?
A product’s biodegradability comes down to a combination of material science, chemistry and disposal conditions.
Chemical Structure
Some chemical structures are easier to break down than others. Food scraps, paper, cotton, wool and untreated wood all contain natural compounds that microbes can usually handle.
Conventional plastics, on the other hand, are engineered to last – that’s why they’re so resistant.
Surface Area
Smaller pieces of material tend to break down faster because microbes have more surface area to work with.
Think of shredded leaves – they compost faster than whole branches. But with plastics, that can get a bit confusing – fragmentation isn’t the same as biodegradation. A plastic item might break into small pieces without actually biodegrading.
Temperature
Warm conditions boost microbial activity, which is why industrial composting facilities are designed to manage heat, moisture, aeration and microbial activity. That’s why some certified compostable plastics break down in industrial composting – but not always in backyard compost piles.
Moisture
Microorganisms need a bit of moisture to work – if the conditions are too dry, biodegradation comes to a halt. That’s one reason why waste can be preserved for a long time in dry, sealed or low-moisture environments.
Oxygen
Oxygen makes a difference – it speeds up the breakdown, and also affects the output. Aerobic conditions are way better for composting than low-oxygen conditions, which can even produce methane.
Additives, Coatings and Treatments
A product might look natural, but it can still contain all sorts of additives that mess with biodegradation.
Examples include things like:
- Plastic coated paper cups
- Glossy or laminated paper
- Synthetic fabric blends
- Water-resistant coatings
- Chemical dyes
- Adhesives
- Multi-layer packaging – and yes, even PFAS or other persistent additives in some grease-resistant products
That’s why a “paper” food container isn’t automatically compostable or biodegradable in real-world conditions.
Examples of Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Materials
| Product or Material | Biodegradable? | What to Know |
| Apple core | Yes | Best composted, not landfilled |
| Banana peel | Yes | Breaks down faster in compost than in landfill |
| Dry leaves | Yes | Useful for compost and mulch |
| Grass clippings | Yes | Compost quickly when managed well |
| Untreated paper | Usually | Coatings and inks matter |
| Cardboard box | Usually | Remove tape and plastic labels before composting |
| Cotton T-shirt | Usually | Pure cotton biodegrades more readily than blends |
| Wool sweater | Usually | Natural fiber, but dyes and treatments matter |
| Untreated wood | Yes | Breaks down slowly unless chipped |
| Glass bottle | No | Recyclable, not biodegradable |
| Aluminum can | No | Recyclable, not biodegradable |
| Steel can | No | Recyclable, not biodegradable |
| Plastic grocery bag | No, not in normal practical conditions | Can fragment and persist |
| PLA cup | Sometimes | Often needs industrial composting |
| Compostable takeout container | Yes, if certified and accepted | Check local composting rules |
| Glossy laminated paper | Usually not easily | Plastic layers can interfere with breakdown |
What Happens in Compost, Landfills, Recycling, and Oceans?
The same biodegradable item can behave very differently depending on where it ends up.
| Disposal Environment | What Usually Happens |
| Home compost | Food scraps, leaves, plain paper, and yard waste can break down; many compostable plastics do not |
| Industrial composting | Certified compostable packaging may break down under controlled heat, moisture, and aeration |
| Landfill | Low oxygen and compaction slow breakdown; organic waste can produce methane |
| Recycling bin | Compostable plastics can contaminate conventional plastic recycling |
| Ocean or roadside | Breakdown is often slow; the item can still harm wildlife and create litter problems |
Is Paper and Cardboard Really Biodegradable ?
Most paper and cardboard out in the wild is biodegradable. The real story gets a bit more complicated when you remember all the extra stuff that can get added – like plastic layers, heavy inks, tape or synthetic additives. And if that’s the case, its not really compostable any more.
Some good compost-friendly paper examples are:
- Just plain old cardboard
- Brown paper bags you might buy at the grocery store
- Shredded up office paper from your desk
- Regular old paper napkins – so long as they are uncoated of course
- Newspaper – just make sure its been printed with decent inks
- Egg cartons – provided the ink on those is okay too
Now, once we start adding things like coatings or mixed materials to paper products, things get a lot trickier.
So watch out for:
- Shiny magazine coatings that are probably plastic
- Disposable cups that look like paper but are actually lined with a thin layer of plastic
- Food packaging that’s laminated with plastic
- Tape on your cardboard boxes
- Plastic windows on envelopes
- Grease-proof coatings that are basically just chemicals
- Anything that’s been dyed with super heavy chemicals
It’s easy to think that a coffee cup looks like a normal paper cup, until you take a closer look and realise that the liquid wont leak out because of a thin layer of plastic inside.
Are Biodegradable Plastics Really Better For The Planet?
Biodegradable plastics are a bit of a tricky topic. They can be useful, but they’re no magic bullet.
Some biodegradable plastics are made from plant based stuff like corn starch, sugarcane or cellulose, while others are made from fossil fuels or are a mix of different materials. And some are made to be broken down in industrial composting, while others are designed to break down in a specific type of soil or agricultural setting.
So, if you see these terms just sitting around, don’t assume they all mean the same thing:
- Bioplastic
- Plant-based plastic
- Bio-based plastic
- Biodegradable plastic
- Compostable plastic
They all kinda relate to each other, but are not interchangeable
When Biodegradable Plastics Can Be Helpful
Biodegradable or compostable plastics can be useful if they match up with the right use and disposal system.
They might be a good fit for:
- Food-scrap collection bags that are accepted by local compost programs
- Food-service items that are contaminated with yucky old food
- Packaging used at events that have a compost collection in place
- Agricultural products that are designed for specific soil conditions
- Commercial composting programs with clear rules about what gets accepted
The key here is that these products need to be part of a real recovery system.
When Biodegradable Plastics Cause More Problems Than They Solve
Biodegradable plastics also have the potential to cause problems.
They can:
- Require industrial composting facilities that are just not available in most communities
- Not break down properly in landfills
- Contaminate the plastic recycling streams
- Confuse consumers into thinking regular old plastic is okay to use again
- Encourage more people to use single-use plastics because they think they are more eco-friendly
- Take too long to break down in cold, dry, marine or low-oxygen environments
- Leave behind yucky residues if they haven’t been properly tested
The most important thing to keep in mind is this : a biodegradable plastic is only as useful as the system that collects and processes it.
Biodegradable Garbage Bags: A Greener Option or a Misguided Hope?
Biodegradable garbage bags have been touted as a greener option to traditional plastic trash bags. Some are made from plant-based materials, like corn starch or vegetable oils – and some are just a mix of different materials.
But the truth is, these bags can be confusing.
A certified compostable bag will work just fine as a food-scrap liner if your local composting program accepts it – but a biodegradable trash bag for regular garbage might still end up in a landfill where the oxygen is low and the breakdown process is so slow.
Before buying those biodegradable garbage bags, check out a few things:
- Are they even certified compostable?
- If so, do they get accepted by your local food-waste or yard-waste program?
- Are they meant for use in home compost or industrial composting?
- Do they meet those recognized standards like ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868, EN 13432 or another?
- What kind of waste are you putting into them – regular trash or just organic waste?
The thing is, if your city doesn’t accept compostable bags, a biodegradable garbage bag just isn’t going to deliver the benefit you’re expecting.
Why ‘Biodegradable’ Doesn’t Equal ‘Ocean-Safe’
A big misconception is that products that are labeled biodegradable are automatically okay for the environment.
They’re not.
A product that breaks down in a commercial composting facility might not do the same thing in the ocean. Marine environments are way different from compost piles – colder, less active when it comes to microbes, and just plain different from soil or compost systems.
In the ocean, even biodegradable labeled materials can stick around long enough to:
- Get mistaken for food by wildlife
- Break up into smaller pieces before they fully decompose
- Travel across long distances
- Add to litter problems
- Interfere with habitats
- Cause a real headache when it comes time for cleanup
No biodegradable label should ever be taken as a green light to litter. The very best outcome is still proper disposal, reducing waste, and keeping materials out of our waterways.
What Really Happens to Biodegradable Products in Landfills?
Landfills aren’t just giant compost piles, despite what you might think.
Modern municipal solid waste landfills are basically giant waste containment facilities. Waste is compacted, buried and often kept in low-oxygen conditions – which slows down decomposition big time.
This means that biodegradable materials aren’t going to break down quickly in a landfill. Food scraps, yard waste, paper and other organic materials can still decompose under low-oxygen conditions and produce methane.
The EPA points out that diverting food waste from landfills really helps cut down on methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills. This is a big deal because food and other organic materials can have a way better environmental outcome if they’re prevented, recovered, donated or composted rather than just buried.
Biodegradable vs. Sustainable – whats the real difference?
No. Biodegradable and sustainable are two completely different things.
So what does biodegradable actually mean? It describes what can happen to a material at the end of its life. On the other hand, sustainable describes the big picture – the environmental, social, and economic impact across the product’s whole life cycle.
A product can be biodegradable, but still have a huge footprint if it requires loads of energy, uses masses of water, is made with chemicals, needs to be shipped half way around the world, is used once and binned, needs a lot of land to be made, or has poor disposal infrastructure.
A truly sustainable product is about more than just whether it breaks down. You need to ask yourself:
- Was the product really necessary in the first place?
- Could it have been used again?
- Were the materials used to make it responsibly sourced?
- How much energy did it take to make it?
- How long will it actually last?
- Can it be repaired, reused, recycled or composted?
- Will the local council take it for proper disposal?
- Does it actually reduce pollution in the end?
Biodegradability can be part of sustainability, but its just a small part of the story.
Environmental Good and Bad of Biodegradable Materials
Biodegradable materials can be a good thing when used for the right application and sent to the right place to be disposed of.
For example they can help when:
- They replace hard to recycle materials in food waste systems
- They support composting of food scraps and yard waste
- They cut down on long lasting litter caused by certain natural materials
- They return organic matter to the soil through proper composting
- They fit into a local waste reduction program
But the benefits arent automatic. Biodegradable products can still create problems when they:
- End up in the tip
- Get littered around the place
- Need to go to a composting facility that just isnt available
- Contaminate recycling streams
- Use super high impact farming practices
- Encourage people to use things once and then chuck them
- Make people think that if its biodegradable then its no longer disposable.
It really all depends on the full life cycle of the product – where the materials come from, how its made, how its transported, how its used, how its collected and what happens to it at the end.
How to tell if a biodegradable or compostable claim is actually trustworthy
Packaging claims can be pretty misleading. A trustworthy claim should be clear, testable and based on real world circumstances.
Look out for:
- Named testing standards
- Third party certification
- Clear instructions on how to dispose of it
- A realistic idea of where it will actually break down
- A clear claim – not just vague words like “compostable” or “biodegradable”
- Local approval from waste programs or councils
Some common standards and certifications include:
- ASTM D6400 for compostable plastics here in the States
- ASTM D6868 for compostable products with additives or coatings
- EN 13432 for compostable packaging in Europe
- BPI certification for compostable products in North America
- TÜV OK compost industrial
- TÜV OK compost home
On the other hand steer clear of vague claims like:
- Green
- Eco-friendly
- Earth-safe
- Degradable
- Environmentally friendly
- Made from plants
- Planet-safe
- Natural plastic
The FTC says that broad unqualified claims like “green” and “eco-friendly” are pretty hard to back up and should be clearly qualified with some specific environmental benefits.
The Biodegradable and Compostable Label Conundrum
Biodegradable and compostable labels are under a microscope these days – and it’s all because they can be a real source of confusion for just about everyone: waste managers, composters, recyclers, and even consumers. Throw all of these people into a mix and it’s not hard to see how this can all go wrong.
The trouble is that confusing labels can get people to throw the wrong stuff in the recycling bin. That ends up causing all sorts of problems – from contaminating recycling to making it harder to compost, or even making people think a product is a lot more environmentally friendly than it actually is.
Green Claims Get Scrutiny in the U.S.
Back in the States, the FTC Green Guides have been a go-to resource for guidance on environmental marketing claims for years. Just to make things clear – these are guidelines that discourage vague claims and say that marketers need to be able to prove that their products really are biodegradable before making that claim.
State Composting Rules Tighten Up
Some U.S. states are cracking down on compostable product labeling, too. Minnesota, for example – they’ve put in place a rule that means any product labeled “compostable” that’s a covered bag, a piece of packaging or a food service item has to get third-party certification and meet certain standards by January 1, 2026.
All of this is a big deal for businesses because now packaging claims are about more than just brand image. They can be about legal compliance, whether waste haulers will take your stuff, how much trust you can build with your customers, and the quality of the recycling you do.
Recycling Regulations Go For Clarity In Europe
In Europe, the rules surrounding packaging are going in the direction of clearer recyclability, cutting waste and making it easier for people to sort stuff properly. The European Commission says that by 2030, every single piece of packaging on the EU market should be recyclable and do so in a way that makes economic sense, while new packaging rules are pushing for more recycled content and a reduction in waste.
The message is pretty clear – environmental claims need to be specific, accurate and actually connected to how people really do their waste.
What Biodegradable Means for Soil Isn’t the Same as Compostable Packaging
Another point of confusion is the difference between a product that breaks down in soil and a piece of compostable packaging.
Some products are designed with the soil in mind – others are made for industrial composting. One is not the same as the other.
For example:
- A compostable cup will need to be composted in a commercial facility with the right heat.
- A plastic bag that holds food scraps will need the same kind of facility.
- A mulch film might be needed for specific soil conditions.
- A cardboard box will break down in compost if it’s uncoated.
- A paper food container might not break down in compost if it has plastic in the lining.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that all products with a biodegradable label can just be thrown in the bin and they’ll break down in any environment.
What Consumers Need to Do Before Buying Biodegradable Products
Before buying a product because it touts itself as biodegradable, fire off these five practical questions.
- Do I Really Need This Thing?
The most sustainable option is often the one you don’t buy in the first place. Think about whether a reusable container, a washable cloth, a refillable bottle, or a durable product might be a better choice than a disposable biodegradable item.
- Has It Got the Right Credentials?
Look for recognised certification logos and test standards. A product that just says “biodegradable” is a lot weaker than one that says “certified commercially compostable” or “certified home compostable”.
- Where Does It Go After You’ve Used It?
A biodegradable item only really helps the environment if it ends up in the right bin. Check that compostable packaging is only sent to where it’s accepted.
- Does My Local Council Get a Say?
Local rules and regulations can be more important than national marketing claims. Check with your local council, office, event venue, campus, or waste hauler to see what they accept.
- Could It Get Mixed Up with Recycling?
If a product looks like plastic but is actually compostable, it may confuse people and recycling systems. When in doubt, follow the local disposal instructions.
What Businesses Need to Know About Biodegradable Claims
Businesses need to be particularly careful when making biodegradable and compostable claims. Packaging choices can affect all sorts of people – including customers, waste haulers, composters, recyclers, regulators and even brand trust.
Before businesses start using biodegradable packaging, they need to check the following things:
- What the material is actually made of
- If it’s been certified as compostable
- What the relevant testing standards are
- State and local labelling rules
- The FTC’s green guides
- If your customers have access to local composting
- Whether the product is going to be used with food waste
- Whether customers are likely to understand the disposal instructions
- Whether it could contaminate the recycling
- Whether a more sustainable option like reuse or recyclable might have worked better
Businesses should be careful not to make claims that are too vague, such as “green”, “earth-safe”, or “eco-friendly”. Unless they can clearly explain what specific environmental benefit they’re talking about.
Better to go for a clear and specific claim that talks about disposal.
For example:
- “Compostable where accepted”
- “Meets ASTM D6400 for industrial composting”
- “Home compostable certified”
- “Remove the label before recycling”
- “Only accepted in participating food-waste programs”
Clear claims protect both the customer and the business.
Final Verdict: Is Biodegradable Always Better?
Not always, no. A biodegradable product can be a good choice if it’s properly designed, clearly labelled, certified when necessary, and disposed of in the right bin. Compostable food-service items, yard-waste bags, food-scrap liners, plain paper, untreated cardboard, and natural fibres can all make sense in certain situations.
But biodegradable products aren’t automatically sustainable. They can still create waste, get mixed up with recycling, break down too slowly, need special facilities, or mislead customers.
The simplest and strongest environmental approach is still to reduce what you use, reuse what you can, recycle correctly, compost accepted organic materials, and take biodegradable claims as something to verify rather than automatically trust.
FAQ – Getting to the bottom of biodegradable claims
Does “biodegradable” really mean the same as “compostable”?
No, it doesn’t. Essentially, biodegradable means that microorganisms can break down a material over time. Compostable is a more specific term – it means the material will break down under composting conditions within a certain timeframe and won’t leave any nasty residues in the process. All compostable items are biodegradable, but the reverse isn’t necessarily true.
Will biodegradable plastics really break down in the ocean?
Not automatically. A lot of biodegradable and compostable plastics have been tested in controlled environments like warm industrial composting systems, but that’s not exactly what the ocean is like. Temperatures and conditions are all wrong. We can’t just assume biodegradable products are safe to litter.
Are biodegradable products always going to be better for the environment?
Short answer – no. It all depends on how you look at the whole life cycle of the product – from getting the raw materials to making it, transporting it, using it, and finally getting rid of it. A reusable product can be way better than a disposable biodegradable one if it’s used loads of times.
Can I just chuck all biodegradable items in my home compost?
No. You can definitely put food scraps, yard trimmings, plain paper and untreated natural fibres in your home compost. But many biodegradable plastics and compostable packaging need to go to an industrial composting system. Unless they’re specifically certified as home compostable, that is.
How can I tell if a biodegradable claim is actually trustworthy?
Take a closer look at the label. Do they back it up with some named standards, third party certifications or clear information on what to do with the packaging after use? Do they claim it’s home compostable, industrially compostable, recyclable or only accepted in certain programs? If they don’t spell it out, it might not be worth relying on.
Does bio-based plastic always mean it’s biodegradable?
No way. Just because a plastic comes from renewable sources, it doesn’t mean it’s going to break down or compost in an environmentally friendly way. Some bio-based plastics behave just like regular plastics after disposal.
What’s the number one mistake people make with biodegradable products?
Assuming that just because the label says it’s biodegradable, it can go anywhere after use. Newsflash: a biodegradable product still needs the right disposal system. If it ends up in a landfill, the ocean, on the roadside or the wrong recycling bin, it might not deliver the environmental benefits you were counting on.
