Biodegradable, Degradable, Compostable, Food Waste; What’s the Difference?
It can be tricky to know the difference between these terms. With people becoming
more environmentally conscious it is important to understand the difference in
materials, how they are reused and how they/if they decompose. This can help
consumers dispose of their products via the correct waste stream.
Product Labelling
Biodegradable: These materials can break down naturally by living things including
bacteria without the need for added chemicals. Plant or animal-based
microorganisms are used in the production of the material. Warmth and moisture
help with the decomposition. However, being biodegradable does not mean that
the product is compostable as biodegradable products may take a lot longer to
decompose. The waste left at the end may not be beneficial to the composted soil.
Oxo-biodegradable: Plastic labelled as oxo-biodegradable typically doesn’t break
down fully in landfill unlike straight biodegradable products. This is because oxo-
biodegradable products need metal salts to start degradation before further
degradation by living organisms. Small fragments of plastic are often left in the
environment due to a lack of oxygen. In addition, due to the addition of cobalt to
some oxo-degradable plastics, the breakdown of these plastics can produce
chemical pollution.
Degradable: Degradable materials do not contain the natural microbes found in
biodegradable materials. These materials do not decompose naturally. In order to
decompose a chemical additive is needed the help the material break down faster
than your usual plastic bag. This will only decompose at a faster rate when the
material is exposed to sunlight and oxygen. Degradable material which is sent to
landfill or littered will be around for as long as plastic material. Degradable material is
not recyclable and will ultimately just be broken down into tiny pieces instead of
returning to the Earth.
Compostable: Material must decompose in under 12 weeks in order to be
considered compostable and must enhance soil quality with non-toxic products.
Composting is an accelerated form of biodegradation. Compostable materials are
made from organic matter which microorganism decomposers can break down
completely to form a highly nutrient-rich soil or compost. Products and packaging
labelled compostable are not necessarily suitable for home composting and may
need processing in an industrial composting facility. Most industrially compostable
products will not biodegrade or disintegrate in the lower temperatures found in a
home composting heaps. Compostable material includes leaves, grass clippings and
non-animal food scraps. These would be suitable for your home compost.
Vegware items are considered compostable but only under commercial
composting conditions – these are not suitable for your home composting.
Compostable plastics cannot go in with your dry plastic recycling.
Food Waste: Food waste (incl. animal waste) varies slightly from compost; as food
waste decomposes it releases large amounts of biogas (methane and carbon) which
can have a damaging impact on the environment. Our food waste is taken to an
anaerobic digestion site called GenEco at Avonmouth. These plants use a controlled
process to decompose at food waste at an accelerated rate using a sealed container
heated at around 40°C. This method harnesses the biogas into a sealed container,
these gases can then be used for fuel, electricity, heat, etc. The remaining material is
a nutrient rich fertiliser.
Plastic Labelling
The number of types of plastic available in the UK is increasing which can create
confusion regarding which types can be recycled.
Bio-based plastic: Bio-based plastics are so called as they are produced from
biological sources for example sugar cane. These plastics can be biodegradable or
compostable however confusingly, they are not necessarily biodegradable. For a
product to be labelled bio-based, not all of the product needs to be bio-based.
Biodegradable plastic: Biodegradable plastics can be broken down naturally by
microorganisms but do not necessarily have been produced from biogenic (produced
by living organisms) sources – they can also be made from fossil-based materials.
Only non-biodegradable plastics can be recycled. Some non-biodegradable bio-
based plastics such as BioPE and BioPET can be recycled with standard dry
plastics. Unfortunately, the biodegradable and bio-based plastics are mostly
incinerated or landfilled in the UK as they are difficult to recycle. In addition, plastics
labelled compostable often can’t be composted domestically and will need to be
processed in a composting facility.
Compostability Labels
Compostable = A material which must break down within 12 weeks either under a
domestic or commercial composting environment.
The European EN13432 and the American ASTMD 6400 certificates are the most
widely used compostability standards both covering the same 4 core elements:
1) Biodegradation
2) Disintegration
3) Eco-toxicity – broken down material is useful for plant growth.
4) Heavy metals – broken down material is safe to go onto land.
Certification Bodies
Within the UK, products and packaging are primarily certified through two European
certification bodies: TUV Austria (formally Vincotte) and DIN Certco. DIN Certco
issues certificates for compostable material based on the EN 14995 (or ISO 17088)
and for compostable packaging based on the EN 13432 (or ASTM D6400) standard.
TUV Austria issues certificates for compostable plastics based on EN 13432, as well
as certificates for plastics that can be composted in home composting in addition to
plastics that biodegrade.
TUV Austria (authorised by European Bioplastics) have multiple certificates
covering compostability, biodegradability and products being biobased.
The OK compost industrial label guarantees that the whole
product can be composted in an industrial compost plant and
follows the European standard for compostability and
biodegradation (EN13432).
The OK compost home certification guarantees that a product
can be composted within home compost heaps.
The OK biodegradable soil certificate guarantees that a certified
product will completely biodegrade in the soil without adversely
affecting the environment.
The OK biodegradable water certificate guarantee
biodegradation in a natural fresh water environment- this
certificate however does not guarantee biodegradation in
marine waters.
The OK biodegradable marine certificate guarantees
biodegradation in a marine environment.
The OK biobased certificate guarantees that a product is made
from renewable materials as opposed to fossil-based raw
materials. Products are labelled as being either a one-, two-,
three- or four-star bio-based product depending on the
percentage of renewable raw material used.
TUV Austria is also authorised by NEN (Dutch
Standardization Network) who certify bio-based products
using the European bio-based certification scheme. This
scheme specifies the proportion of biomass used in the
production of a bio-based solid, liquid or gaseous products.
DIN Certco is a German certification body.
Both DIN Certco and TUV Austria can award the Seedling logo if the
product is in compliance with the European standard EN13432 as
they are authorised by European Bioplastics. The Seedling logo
awarded in combination with an OK compost label enables
compostable products to gain recognition throughout the European
market. The certification DIN Certco can also award the seedling
logo.
The DIN-Geprüft test mark for industrial compostability is also
awarded by DIN Certco and guarantees that a product is
biodegradable in soil.
The Biodegradable Products Institute is North America’s leading certifier of
compostable packaging and products.
Products displaying this logo have been independently tested
and verified as compostable through municipal or industrial
composting facilities – not domestic composting facilities.
The Compost Manufacturing Alliance is another certification body from North
America who test the suitability of products to be processed in industrial composting
facilities.
Products displaying this logo have been thoroughly tested to
prove their suitability for industrial composting facilities.
