You’re at the grocery store. You see a product labeled “biodegradable.” Right next to it, another claims to be “compostable.” Both sound eco-friendly but what do they actually mean? The packaging looks green, the messaging sounds right, and your instinct is to pick the one that seems better for the planet. But without understanding the critical difference between these two terms, you could unknowingly contribute to the very wasteful problem you’re trying to avoid. What if one of them just breaks into smaller pieces while the other safely returns to the earth? What if choosing wrong contaminates an entire batch of compost?
In a world increasingly driven by sustainability, terms like “biodegradable” and “compostable” are often used interchangeably. Unfortunately, they don’t mean the same thing. Misunderstanding the difference can lead to incorrect disposal, failed sustainability goals, and even greenwashing.
Understanding Biodegradability
Biodegradability refers to the ability of a material to break down into natural elements (carbon dioxide, water, biomass) through the action of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.[1]
Key Characteristics:
Biodegradation has no fixed timeline – it could take weeks, years, or even centuries.
Biodegradable materials may leave residues or microplastics behind, depending on the material and conditions.
Conditions such as temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels significantly affect the degradation rate.
Examples:
Paper and untreated wood biodegrade relatively quickly under normal conditions.
Some “biodegradable” plastics only degrade in high-temperature industrial facilities and may persist in landfills or oceans.
While biodegradable products may sound promising, they often do not perform as expected in real-world conditions, especially when disposed of incorrectly.
Understanding Compostability
Compostability is a stricter, more defined process. A compostable material not only biodegrades but does so within a specific timeframe and under specific composting conditions turning into nutrient-rich compost without toxic residue.[2]
Key Characteristics:
Compostables must break down within 90-180 days in industrial composting facilities.
They do not leave behind harmful residues or microplastics.
Composting enriches soil, supports agriculture, and reduces methane emissions from landfills.
Unlike biodegradable products, compostable materials undergo stringent testing and must meet internationally recognized standards like EN 13432, ASTM D6400, and OK Compost.[3][4]
Additional Benefits of Compostables:
They help reduce dependency on fossil fuel-based plastics.
Support circular economy principles by returning organic material to the soil.
Reduce municipal waste management costs when collected and processed correctly.
Main Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Biodegradable | Compostable |
| Breakdown Time | Varies widely | Defined (usually <180 days) |
| Residue | May leave microplastics | No toxic residue |
| Decomposition Result | CO2, water, possibly micro-plastic fragments | rich compost, CO2, water |
| Disposal | Any environment (often misused) | Composting facility or compost bin |
| Certification | Rarely standardized | Certified under specific standards |
Why This Difference Matters
Environmental Impact: Biodegradable plastics that don’t fully break down contribute to the growing crisis of microplastic pollution.[5] These microplastics find their way into oceans, wildlife, and even human food chains. Compostable products, by contrast, return safely to nature, leaving behind no toxic trace.
Consumer Confusion: Mislabeling or misunderstanding leads to improper disposal. Compostables thrown into landfills act like regular waste, while biodegradable plastics placed in compost bins can contaminate the compost.
Policy and Regulation: Governments and municipalities are now differentiating between these two categories for regulatory clarity. Compostables are often prioritized in food service bans on single-use plastics and have dedicated waste collection streams.
Business Responsibility: Businesses have a duty to be clear and honest with customers. Misleading claims around biodegradability can result in consumer distrust, regulatory penalties, or negative PR. In contrast, certified compostable packaging is a transparent, measurable commitment to environmental stewardship.
Waste Infrastructure Compatibility: Compostable materials, when labeled correctly, are compatible with both industrial and home composting systems (depending on certification), whereas most biodegradable plastics are not. This reduces pressure on landfill systems and encourages sustainable waste cycles.
Real-Life Implications
Consider a compostable food container used at a local café. If the container is certified compostable and sent to an industrial composting facility, it will turn into healthy compost within weeks. Now imagine the same item labeled “biodegradable” but made of bioplastic that only breaks down at high temperatures. If tossed into home compost or a landfill, it may linger for decades.
Such real-world scenarios are why certification and consumer awareness are critical. It’s not just about labels it’s about what those labels mean in the actual waste cycle.
Case in Point: Festival Waste
Events like food festivals, marathons, or community markets generate huge amounts of single-use packaging. When these events use certified compostable materials and provide proper compost bins, a large percentage of waste can be diverted from landfills. However, using non-certified “biodegradable” packaging may actually cause more harm by contaminating compost streams or creating confusion among waste handlers.
The Role of Certifications
Certifications help consumers and businesses cut through greenwashing and make responsible choices:
EN 13432 (EU): Ensures that packaging biodegrades completely in industrial composting conditions without leaving toxic residue.
ASTM D6400 (USA): Sets requirements for labeling plastics and products as compostable.
OK Compost & OK Compost HOME: Issued by TÜV Austria, these verify compostability in industrial and home environments respectively.
These certifications give consumers peace of mind and empower municipalities and industries to handle compostables responsibly.
Bio-Plastobag: Choosing True Compostability
At Bio-Plastobag, we believe clarity drives change. That’s why we offer only certified compostable products, never vague “biodegradable” claims. Our mission is to simplify sustainability through transparent packaging solutions that help both people and the planet.
Every item in our catalog meets certifications, ensuring they decompose fully and safely in compost environments industrial or domestic.
We support farms, retailers, food delivery businesses, and eco-conscious consumers in closing the loop turning waste into resources and reducing dependency on plastic.
Whether you are a consumer striving for a zero-waste kitchen or a business working toward plastic-free operations, Bio-Plastobag is your partner in creating lasting change.
Our goal is simple: turn today’s waste into tomorrow’s resource and to create environmentally responsible products.
Key Takeaway
Biodegradable and compostable are not the same. If it’s not certified compostable, it may not break down safely or completely.
Always read labels, verify certifications, and understand disposal requirements. When in doubt, choose transparency and verified sustainability choose compostable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the main difference between biodegradable and compostable materials?
Biodegradable materials break down over time through microbial activity, but they do not have a defined timeline or end-product. Compostable materials, on the other hand, are designed to break down under specific conditions (typically industrial composting) within a set timeframe, leaving no toxic residue and turning into nutrient-rich compost[6].
2. Can biodegradable plastics be composted at home?
No, most biodegradable plastics require special conditions found only in industrial composting facilities, such as sustained high temperatures and specific microbial activity. If placed in a home composting system, they may not break down properly and could contaminate the compost[7].
3. How can I tell if a product is truly compostable?
Look for certification labels such as EN 13432, ASTM D6400, or TÜV Austria OK Compost. These third-party certifications confirm that the product meets stringent standards for compostability in industrial or home environments[8].
References
- European Bioplastics. (2023). Facts about compostability. https://www.european-bioplastics.org
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Composting at Home. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
- ASTM International. (2023). ASTM D6400 Standard Specification. https://www.astm.org
- TÜV Austria. (2024). OK Compost Certifications. https://www.tuv-at.be
- OECD. (2022). Global Plastics Outlook. https://www.oecd.org/environment/plastics/
- European Bioplastics. (2023). Facts about compostability. https://www.european-bioplastics.org
- : U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Composting at Home. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
- TÜV Austria. (2024). OK Compost Certifications. https://www.tuv-at.be