Have you ever gotten some product that’s labeled compostable or biodegradable, and then wonder what the heck it means? Fear not, because you’re not alone here while used interchangeably by many, they are’ the same thing.
Every compostable product is biodegradable, but not every biodegradable product is compostable.
So, when choosing sustainable products, you may wonder what’s the better option. Understanding these terms allows for everyone to make a more sustainable sort of choice. Understand as well that both consumers and brands will know the difference. Consumers want to know what they have to do to toss it, and the customers need guidance on how to dispose of it. it’s important that, whatever you decide to use, you make it so that you have sustainability in the brand, and make sure that consumers can make decisions.
What Compostable Is
Compostable types of materials break down into smaller, more basic parts such as water, biomass, and carbon dioxide. It usually breaks down at a similar rate that other organic materials do, not releasing harmful toxins and residue.
These products will biodegrade and further disintegrate within 90 days, not leaving any residue. This is tested before the product is labeled to this standard through seed germination trials, ensuring that the composted item does not harm the plant life.
Compostable types of items also add value to the ecosystem through decomposition of nutrient rich composting, and it’s usually disposed inside a compost bin.
What Biodegradable Packaging Is
So what’s the difference then?
Biodegradable means that it breaks down naturally through microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Did you know that each material does biodegrade? It might take time, sometimes centuries, but it does.
Biodegradable items aren’t regulated, with no time limit, and there isn’t any testing to ensure that this is freed from the dangerous toxins. Usually, this breaks down safely and quickly, but not every product that’s advertised this manner has this criteria.
Products labeled as this without further additives are usually misleading and vague towards customers.
Because of the vagueness, biodegradable types of products might actually cause contamination of the compost and must be disposed of in the trash collection and landfill.
What’s Better?
Both off these do the job, offering a natural process to recycle organic waste. All of your compostable products are biodegradable, but the biodegradable ones aren’t totally compostable.
The primary difference is that the compostable one has dealt with stricter testing to make sure that they break down within a set period of time, and don’t contribute any harmful chemicals to the environment.
This biodegradable product usually has no types of requirements, so they might not be as good as you think they are. However, if you are a company that takes pride in giving customers an easier way to dispose of items, then go biodegradable.
If you know that your customers are super dedicated to the planet, then you might want to do the compostable. Bear in mind though that certain items may not be very good as compostable items but may be better off as biodegradable elements.
Overall, compostable packaging offers:
A means to break down within a time limit needed for the environment and t’s composting.
Not release toxins that are harmful as they break down.
Offer a healthy compost that adequately enriches your soil.
Compostable packaging has much higher standards and are tested regularly and will not be approved unless they meet the standards. Biodegradable always has to go into the trash, in contrast.
Keep all these in mind to have the best packaging experience.
