Biodegradable vs Compostable: What's the Difference?

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What’s the Difference Between Biodegradable and Compostable?

Biodegradable vs. compostable. The two terms seem to be used interchangeably, but they’re not actually the same. To make things even more confusing, all compostable products are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable products are compostable

If you’re trying to make the best choice for the environment, it’s important to know the difference. In this helpful guide, we’ll go over the differences between biodegradable and compostable so you can live a more sustainable life.

Definition of Biodegradable

The term biodegradable refers to any material that microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi) can break down and return to the natural environment.

Pretty much all plant-based, animal-based, or mineral-based products are biodegradable. However, they often have different break down rates. Here’s the average amount of time it takes for different materials to break down:

Chart of time it takes items to biodegrade

Since there’s no time limit on biodegradation, technically everything is considered biodegradable. However, the term biodegradable is not regulated, it can take hundreds or even thousands of years, and no testing is done to make sure the product doesn’t emit dangerous toxins as it breaks down.

Definition of Compostable

100 % compostable stamp on white background

The term compostable refers to a material that will completely break down under specific circumstances in a timely manner. Since compostable materials break down into their natural elements, they cause no harm to the environment.

During composting, the right balance of water, oxygen, and heat help microorganisms break down the materials into something called humus, which is full of nutrients and great for plants. The composting process typically takes anywhere from a few months to a couple of years.

The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other third-party certifiers have very specific standards companies have to follow to label their products as compostable.

In the U.S., products labeled as compostable must meet ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 standards. These standards require compostable products to biodegrade within 90 days and leave behind no harmful residue.

European standards include EN 13432, which sets the criteria for what can or cannot be called compostable or biodegradable.

There are two main types of composting: home composting and industrial composting.

Home Composting

Home composting involves collecting food scraps (such as coffee grounds, banana peels, tea bags, and orange peels) and combining them with yard waste (like grass clippings, sticks, and dead leaves). You then add some water and periodically turn over the mixture to promote its breakdown.

Since a home compost pile doesn’t produce enough heat, it’s not suitable to break down things like meat, cheese, and fish. It’s also not appropriate for items labeled for commercial composting.

If you’re interested in starting your own compost system at home but you’re not sure where to begin, check out this guide on everything you need to know about how to compost. You can even compost food scraps even if you don’t have the yard space for a pile when you take a look at these best electric kitchen composters.

Industrial Composting

Industrial composting, sometimes also called commercial composting, is composting on a much larger scale than what you can do at home in your compost bin. In areas that have an industrial composting facility, homes and businesses can deposit their organic waste in collection bins.

These bins are then transported to the composting facility, where they’re added to large composting piles. At that point, the right conditions of high heat, water, and mechanical turning for aeration are used to process the organic matter.

Since industrial composting can maintain higher composting temperatures than home compost piles, it’s required for certain types of compostable packaging and compostable plastics.

Why Is Composting Good for the Environment?

When organic materials, such as food waste, end up in landfills, they don’t have the right amount of light, heat, and water to break down properly. Instead, they begin to rot and release methane — an extremely potent greenhouse gas.

On the other hand, compost piles have the right conditions to reduce the release of methane and instead emit more carbon dioxide. When you keep organic materials out of landfills and divert them into compost piles, you’re helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to being a good way to help reduce food waste, composting is also an important part of general waste reduction. Since compost typically consists of food scraps, organic byproducts, cardboard boxes, and other bio-based materials, you can divert these items away from landfills and turn them into an environmentally beneficial product.

In the garden, compost helps suppress plant diseases and promote healthy plant growth. Additionally, compost does a great job of efficiently retaining water, which helps the environment and makes your garden more drought resistant.

Biodegradable and Compostable Plastic Packaging

Whether you’ve been shopping for a new phone case or some reusable grocery bags, you may have encountered a biodegradable and compostable plastic known as bioplastic. Many restaurants are also transitioning away from petroleum-based plastics to bioplastics for takeout containers, utensils, and cups.

These items are typically made from materials like corn starch, soy, and cellulose. When they’re properly composted, they break down into water, non-toxic carbon dioxide, and biomass.

However, just because a plastic is called biodegradable or compostable, that doesn’t automatically make it a more eco-friendly choice. Consider these pros and cons of compostable plastics before making your next purchase.

Pros of Compostable and Biodegradable Plastics

Unlike conventional plastics that are derived from petroleum, bioplastics are made from plant-based materials.
Bioplastic manufacturing typically has a lower carbon footprint than manufacturing traditional plastics.
When added to a compost heap with the correct specific conditions, bioplastics can break down into organic materials and help people live a more zero waste lifestyle.

Cons of Compostable and Biodegradable Plastics

It takes an intense amount of heat usually only available at industrial facilities to break down bioplastics. If you try to compost them in a home compost heap, they can take a lot longer to break down.
Bioplastics can’t mix together with other recyclable plastic products in the recycling bin. They must go in two separate streams.
Since bioplastics don’t biodegrade quickly in water alone, they don’t help address the issue of marine plastic waste.

Other Terms to Keep in Mind

Biodegradable vs compostable aren’t the only two terms you’ll come across when you’re shopping for sustainable products. Here are a few other terms you might encounter.

Degradable

The term degradable encompasses a wide range of items that can break down and disintegrate. You should use caution when purchasing degradable products since there are no set standards for how long it takes, how it breaks down, or what it will break down into.

Oxo-Degradable

Oxo-degradable is a greenwashing term and something you should attempt to avoid as much as possible. These items are neither a bioplastic nor a biodegradable plastic. Instead, they’re a conventional plastic mixed with an additive to imitate biodegradation.

Once they’re thrown away, oxo-degradable plastics become brittle and quickly break into smaller and smaller pieces known as microplastics. Microplastics have been discovered nearly everywhere on this planet, including in our own bodies!

We know microplastics can absorb toxins, but we have no idea about their long-term health implications after they get into our bodies.

Oxo-degradable products aren’t compostable or recyclable. If you have to dispose of them, they’ll need to go to a landfill.

Biodegradable vs Compostable: Which Is Better?

Old wooden signboard with text compostable near green plants

Now that you know the difference between biodegradable vs compostable, you might be wondering which one is better. If you’re trying to reduce your environmental impact, compostable items are a good choice.

When you compost an item, it won’t end up in the landfill. Instead, it will turn into organic matter that you can use to help your trees, flowers, and garden grow.

While biodegradable materials will eventually break down and decompose in the environment, you have no idea how long it might take. Certain biodegradable items can take many years to break down, and they might leave behind toxic waste in the process.

On the other hand, compostable items undergo strict testing to ensure they break down within a specific time frame. When they do break down, they turn into beneficial organic matter. More importantly, compostable items won’t leave behind a toxic residue since they’re made from organic or plant-based materials.

Understanding Biodegradable vs Compostable

One of the key ways to live more sustainably is to reduce your plastic use. This is why you see more and more companies offering compostable and biodegradable packaging. However, you have to be careful when you’re shopping for these products so you ensure you’re making the right choice.

The main difference between biodegradable vs compostable is the amount of time it takes an item to break down completely. While biodegradable items might take thousands of years to break down, composting typically takes place within 12 weeks. Additionally, compostable items must break down into completely non-toxic components.

The most important thing you can do for the environment is to reduce, reuse, or refuse as much as you can. When you do have to purchase new items, try to choose package-free or compostable packaging whenever possible.

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Definition of Biodegradable