What is the Difference Between Compostable and ...

In the never-ending search for green products and solutions, two words come up often: Compostable and Biodegradable. But what do they mean? Is one better than the other? What do you need to know?

Contact us to discuss your requirements of biodegradable grocery bags. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

As always, PJP is here to help. We&#;ve been in the business of selling disposable products for 55 years, and we have made a commitment to protecting the environment. We&#;ll teach you the ins, outs, pros, and cons of both Compostable and Biodegradable products.

What is Biodegradable? 

Simply put, something is &#;biodegradable&#; if it can be disintegrated by bacteria, fungi, or some other biological process. If you look at the word itself, the meaning is right there. &#;Bio&#; meaning &#;life,&#; &#;degrade&#; meaning to break down, and &#;able&#; of course meaning that it can happen. Biodegradation is basically just the process of nature taking its course and breaking down materials to their component parts. Plastic will break down into carbon dioxide, water, and a few other things. Pretty simple, right?

The truth is that lots of things are biodegradable, if given enough time. Plastics in particular are known to take decades or even centuries to break down naturally, but they will break down. So, technically speaking, they are biodegradable. Even diapers, notorious for lasting a long time in land fills, will break down eventually.

When a packaging company says that their product is biodegradable, all they really mean is that it will break down when placed in a land fill. This is a good thing! obviously we don&#;t want products that last forever sitting in our land fills. The key, however, is to take note of how long it takes for the product to biodegrade. Some products degrade in months, while others take years. When shopping for green products, the less time for biodegradation the better.

What is Compostable? 

We&#;ve all heard of a compost heap, right? When you take organic materials and allow it to decompose which then creates fertilizer for your soil. Composting is the process of recycling organic waste so that it can eventually be reused.

In the packaging world, compostable means something a bit different. Typically, what a packaging company means when they call their product &#;compostable&#; is that it can be turned into compost&#; if entered into an industrial composting facility. This is an important distinction. Compostable products do not always biodegrade naturally in a landfill. They have to be placed in the right kind of conditions, conditions that are often only found in industrial compost facilities. Compostable products will take much longer to break down if in a landfill, especially an &#;air locked&#; landfill where there will be no oxygen.

Compostable products are great for the environment, but it is important to make sure that your business has the proper waste management processes in place. Make sure that your compostable waste is going to a compost facility.

What&#;s the Difference? 

The primary difference between compostable and biodegradable is that compostable products require a specific setting in order to break down, whereas biodegradable products break down naturally. Typically composting is a faster process, but only under the right conditions. Both of these kinds of products are better for the environment than plastic products that can take hundreds of years to disintegrate.

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How long something takes to biodegrade depends on both the chemical composition of the object and the way that it's stored. Variables like temperature and the presence of water, light, and oxygen affect the speed of degradation. Most landfills have so little light, air, and moisture that the biodegradation process is significantly slowed.

Vegetable peels, eggshells, paper, and garden waste are all straightforwardly biodegradable. When discarded, these items break down in a relatively short period of time, so they can be assimilated into the natural environment. Even some commercial items like coconut coir dish scrubbers fall into this category. In comparison, materials like styrofoam, plastic, and aluminum are typically deemed non-biodegradable because of how long they take to break down. 

Figuring out if an object is actually biodegradable can be challenging, especially when you're assessing objects that aren't usually made from biodegradable materials, like cell cases or tote bags. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and various third-party certifiers have taken steps to monitor the labeling of products as biodegradable. So, if you&#;re trying to determine whether something is biodegradable, check the packaging and don&#;t hesitate to contact the company to ask questions.

That said, most "biodegradable" consumer products won't actually assimilate into the earth through natural biodegradation. In order to biodegrade, they need a specific set of conditions created through the process of composting.

Definition of Compostable

The term compostable refers to a product or material that can biodegrade under specific, human-driven circumstances. Unlike biodegradation, which is an entirely natural process, composting requires human intervention.

During composting, microorganisms break down organic matter with the help of humans, who contribute the water, oxygen, and organic matter necessary to optimize conditions. The composting process generally takes between a few months and one to three years. The timing is impacted by variables like oxygen, water, light, and the type of composting environment.

There are two major types of composting:

• Residential composting. Residential composting involves collecting food scraps in a bin or heap, combining them with yard waste, and periodically turning the mixture over to promote its breakdown into more basic organic matter. For that reason, you won&#;t be able to break down things like meat, cheese, and fish in a residential bin &#; there simply won&#;t be enough heat produced.
• Commercial composting. Commercial composting involves screening and sorting materials into organics and inorganics, breaking them down with chippers and grinders, and creating optimal moisture, temperature, and oxygen conditions. As a result, commercial composters are able to break down more complex products than at-home composters.

If you're considering purchasing a product that claims to be compostable, make sure to read the label. As with biodegradable items, labeling of compostable materials is regulated by the FTC and third-party certifiers. You'll want to find out whether the product can be composted in a backyard bin or will require commercial composting. Not all cities offer commercial composting, and you don&#;t want to choose a compostable product only to find out that you can't actually compost it.

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Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics

If you&#;ve recently shopped for a case, travel mug, or reusable grocery bag, you may have encountered biodegradable and compostable plastic, also known as bioplastic. Many restaurants are even transitioning to bioplastics for takeout containers, utensils, and cups. These items are typically made from materials like corn starch, cellulose, and soy. When properly composted, they break down into non-toxic carbon dioxide, biomass, and water.

However, just because a plastic is biodegradable or compostable doesn&#;t mean it will break down under any and all conditions, or that it's truly eco-friendly. Consider the pros and cons of compostable plastics before making your next purchase.

Pros of Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics

• Unlike conventional, petroleum-based plastic, bioplastics are plant-based.
• Bioplastic manufacturing may have a lower carbon footprint than traditional plastics (but there are a lot of variables and uncertainties).

Cons of Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics

• Breaking down bioplastics requires intense heat only available at industrial composting facilities. In an at-home compost heap (or in a landfill), they take a long time to break down.
• Bioplastics do not address the issue of marine plastics, as they do not biodegrade quickly in marine conditions. 
• Bioplastics cannot be commingled with recyclable plastics; they must be recycled in separate streams.

Choosing Biodegradable vs. Compostable Products

If you&#;re trying to reduce your environmental impact, compostable items are a good option. Composting an item means it won't end up in a landfill, and if you compost at home, you can use that organic matter to help your (or your neighbor's) garden grow. In addition, the labeling of compostable goods is often more straightforward, so you can be sure you&#;re choosing a more eco-friendly product. 

That said, compostable products require certain conditions to break down, so it&#;s important to commit to actually composting those items, rather than sending them to a landfill. Also, if an item is identified as commercially compostable, make sure you have access to a facility that can handle the waste. Bioplastics are in some ways an improvement over conventional plastics, but they can still have a negative impact on the environment if they&#;re disposed of improperly. As always, the best option is to reduce your consumption, reuse what you already have, and avoid single-use products as much as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is biodegradable more eco-friendly than compostable?

  No, a biodegradable product is not necessarily better for the environment than a compostable product. That's because biodegradable products can still be made of chemical plastics whereas compostable products are typically made from plants. Plus, compostable products can take less time to break down, but they must be kept in the right conditions.

• Why are biodegradable and compostable items not recyclable?

  Biodegradable and compostable bioplastics are not recyclable because they're designed to break down in specific conditions. They could contaminate and disrupt recycling equipment if improperly disposed of. One example of a material that is biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable is cardboard.

• Can you put biodegradable bags in your compost bin?

  You should use only compostable bags in the compost bin. Biodegradable bags are not necessarily compostable and could still be made of plastic.

• How long do compost bags take to break down?

  There are many factors that decide how long it takes compost bags take to break down. Most are designed to disintegrate between three and six months.

• What are the problems with biodegradable plastics?

  Bioplastics can produce the greenhouse gas methane when sent to landfills. They also don't break down in marine environments, despite the fact that a large portion of plastics wind up in oceans.

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