Biodegradable or Compostable?

‘Biodegradable’ and ‘compostable’ are two terms that are often used in the same context, but their meanings are distinctly different.

They can be defined as:

Biodegradable means that the material has the potential to break down in the environment at some point in the future

Compostable means that the material has the potential to break down into nutrient rich finished compost in only a few months

Biodegradable

Biodegradable is a misleading term. By the sound of it, you would assume that the material naturally degrades and is therefore better for the environment. This is only partially true: biodegradable means that the product has the potential to break down. Plant-based, animal-based and natural mineral-based materials can be broken down by microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and algae over a long period of time.

The trick is that materials labeled as biodegradable heavily depend on the right environmental factors and a significant amount of time in order to break down. What companies don’t tell you is how long it could take to degrade. Biodegradable materials can take months, years or even centuries to degrade. On top of that, materials labeled as biodegradable typically leave toxic waste and chemicals, like methane gas, behind after breaking down.

Here are some common household items and how long it takes them to degrade:

The term ‘biodegradable’ is often used in a marketing strategy known as “greenwashing”. This is when products are labeled to seem like they have a more positive environmental impact than they actually do. You can read more about the practice of greenwashing here. (need to add link)

Compostable

Compostable materials are capable of breaking down into natural elements in the environment. Once they’ve broken down, these materials create a healthy compost that provides nutrients to soil and plants. When looking for products that won’t harm the environment after breaking down, focus on labels marked ‘certified compostable.’ 

Certified compostable items have a specific timeframe and regulations for degradation. To be labeled as compostable, 90% of the materials must disintegrate in the first 3 months and completely degrade after about 4-6 months. 

Not only does the material break down naturally, but the finished product is full of nutrients and great for the environment. Compost releases nutrients into the soil that helps plants and trees grow. The end product for compostable material is overall better for the environment, reducing the amount of waste and toxic residue in the environment.

Why does it matter?

Recognizing the differences in these two terms is crucial to protect the environment from further harm and to make educated decisions as a sustainable consumer. Biodegradable and compostable are not interchangeable. 

Biodegradable materials break down after years, and typically leave a toxic residue behind. Compostable materials naturally decompose and release nutrients into the soil. There are different standards for what these labels can be used for, and ‘certified compostable’ is the phrase with stricter regulations and more environmental benefits. 

Here at WasteNot, we prioritize compostable products. We are proud to supply a range of certified compostable products in our shop, each delivered with zero emissions. Every product we label as compostable is able to be tossed in our buckets and turned into compost! To learn more about our products, check this page out.