Compostable Vs. Biodegradable：What’s The Difference?

Discover the key differences between compostable and biodegradable products, and learn which is better for the environment and your lifestyle.

 

Any environment-conscious business or individual would choose compostable and biodegradable products over other options. However, these two terms are often used interchangeably. So, what's the difference between biodegradable and compostable?

The compostable vs biodegradable difference lies in their disintegration. Biodegradable products disintegrate into natural elements. For example, water and CO2. In comparison, compostable products break down into compost. These products enrich the soil when they break down. They also take much less time to disintegrate.

Having trouble choosing between biodegradable and compostable for your business? The following discussion can help you reach a decision.

 

What Is Compostable?

A compostable material turns into a natural, nutrient-rich substance when it breaks down. The organic material turns into humus during this process. This resulting substance enhances the fertility of the soil.

Some of the top compostable materials include PLA, Bagasse, and Bamboo. They disintegrate within 60-90 days when the conditions are right.

Polylactic Acid (PLA): This compostable material is a derivative of plant starch (Corn). A PLA product looks and feels like plastic. However, it disintegrates into compost when ideal conditions are present. PLA is an excellent choice for various compostable products. For example, sustainable packaging and disposable cutlery.

Bagasse: This is sugarcane or sorghum residue. Bagasse is what you are left with once you crush the stalks for juice. This material has excellent compostability. They make some of the best compostable cutlery.

Bamboo: the trees are fast growing. As a result, bamboo is a readily available compostable material. They make great straws and utensils. Bamboo products have excellent durability. At the same time, they decompose pretty fast.

If you want to know the difference between these compostable materials: Bagasse vs cornstarch, and bamboo vs sugarcane.

 

What Is Biodegradable?

Biodegradable products break down into water and carbon dioxide when you dispose of them. They rely on microorganisms and other biological processes for the breakdown. Thus, they don't affect the soil's fertility like inorganic material does. However, they don't enhance fertility like compostable materials. Examples include-

●Wood takes months or years to disintegrate and is a good choice for biodegradable utensils. 
●Cotton is abundantly used in biodegradable textiles. It decomposes in 6 months under correct conditions. 
●Hemp is a top choice for many biodegradable products (mainly packaging). It takes a few months to decompose. 
●Vegetable fiber Jute is used in biodegradable bags and other products. Jute products decompose within a month or two. 
●Paper is widely used in disposable cups, plates, and packages. It disintegrates within two to five months.

 

What Are the Types of Composting?

There are different types of composting depending on the conditions they require. Learning about these types can help you decide on the kind of compostable product you want for your business. 
1. Aerobic Composting: Commercial compostable waste management facilities often use this process. It relies on microorganisms that decompose the products in the presence of oxygen. The compost pile must be moist (not too wet). Temperature needs to be within 135-160°F. 
2. Widrow Composting: Large-scale waste management frequently uses this process. This type of composting also depends on aeration. However, they would first divide the waste into long piles or widrows before the process. They would also turn these piles periodically to ensure aeration and faster decomposition.
3. Static Pile Composting: There is only one pile of compostable waste in this process. The pile is a mixture of green and brown materials. This ensures the balance of nitrogen and carbon. A pipe system consistently supplies the moist heap with air to promote fast decomposition. 
4. In-vessel composting: This process is used in facilities with limited space. The organic waste is put into a special container. This vessels provides the necessary conditions (water, air, temperature) for decomposition. The closed container minimizes odour during the process. 
5. Industrial composting: It's the most effective process to handle huge amounts of compostable waste. A composting facility provides the best aeration, moisture levels, and temperature for the process. It also ensures the end product is a high-quality compost.

You might want to know the difference between industrial composting and home composting.

 

What Are the Types of Biodegradable?

Biodegradable products also depend on various natural forces for degradation. These include microbial activity, oxygen, water, light, etc.

1. Bio-based plastics: These are biodegradable products that are a combination of both worlds. There are synthetic polymers present in these products alongside materials sourced from living organisms. They degrade through microbial activity.

2. Oxo-degradable: These types of biodegradable products start to disintegrate when exposed to oxygen. They would then further degrade through microbial activity. These are usually conventional plastic with a pro-oxidant additive.

3. Photo-biodegradable: These are frequently used in agricultural packaging. These waste products are photosensitive. Their molecular structure starts breaking when exposed to UV light. Afterwards, microbial activity completes the process.

4. Hydro-biodegradable: They are essentially starch-based plastic. These plastics start to break down when exposed to water. The hydrolysis is followed by microbial activity.

 

Compostable and Biodegradable: Environmental Impacts

Biodegradable and compostable products both help the environment. However, their impacts on the environment aren't the same. There is a significant difference in the degradation process and end-products of these two.
Compostable products degrade into compost. The ideal conditions must be present for this to happen. For instance, the correct temperature, aeration, and moisture. It takes somewhere around a few months to a year for the process to complete. 
The end result is humus, water, and carbon dioxide. Humus is food for the soil. It makes the land healthier and more fertile. As a result, the need for chemical fertilizers is reduced. 
In comparison, biodegradable degrades into biomass. As a result, they don’t end up in landfill and stay unaltered for hundreds of years like inorganic material. This is why they are eco-friendly.

However, they also don’t necessarily enrich the soil like compostable products. Plus, they take quite a long time to disintegrate.

 

Compostable and Biodegradable: What Is the Difference?

There are several differences between compostable and biodegradable products. These include waste management, disposal, and regulation.

1. Disposal and Usage

You cannot dispose of compostable products just anywhere. That will undo their purpose to begin with. You must dispose of compostable products in dedicated trash bins.

Therefore, there isn't much point in using compostable products in a place where there are no such trash cans or collection processes.

On the other hand, there isn’t any exclusive system in place for collecting biodegradable trash. So, you can put biodegradable products with regular trash. This also makes biodegradable products widely usable.

2. Waste Management

There are dedicated facilities to break down compostable products. This is also the reason why you need to put them in their trashcans. Facilities provide the ideal conditions for the products to break down and turn into useful fertilizers. In comparison, there aren't any such facilities or systems for biodegradable products.
3. Regulations

Compostable products are subject to strict regulation. They have to pass various standards and obtain certifications. For example, BPI certification.  This assures the public that the product truly disintegrates within its stated timeframe. Plus, they won't leave any toxic residue.

Meanwhile, biodegradable products aren’t that strictly regulated. So, a product claiming to be biodegradable might not always be truly biodegradable.

Aspects	Compostable products	Biodegradable products
Decomposition conditions	Needs ideal temperature, moisture, and aeration to decompose properly	Decomposes mostly through microbial activity
Waste Management	Requires a dedicated trash collection system and facilities.	No specific system. They can decompose in landfills.
Timeframe	Facilities can complete the decomposition process within one to three months.	Takes a few months to years to decompose. The process might be much slower depending on the environmental condition
Environmental impact	Makes the soil healthier and more fertile when the waste turns into humus.	Doesn’t destroy soil quality like non-degradable inorganic material. However, doesn’t enhance soil health either.
Usability	Practical for use in places where they have a dedicated compostable waste management system	Widely usable
Regulations	Strictly regulated and have certifications.	No significant certification

 

Is Compostable Better than Biodegradable?

Compostable seems better than biodegradable from several perspectives. The first advantage is you get what you are paying for since they are certified. There isn't much assurance with biodegradable products.

Plus, compostable products seem to do more for the environment than biodegradable ones. They improve the soil quality while biodegradable merely breaks down into natural elements. Also, compostable products degrade much faster.

However, biodegradable products are still a good option for places where a dedicated waste management system doesn't exist.

 

Certification and Greenwashing

Compostable products are in great demand since people are environment-conscious these days. Some companies exploit this by claiming to sell eco-friendly products while in reality, they aren't. This is known as greenwashing. To avoid falling into this only buy compostable products holding these certifications- 
BPI Certification (Biodegradable Products Institute): BPI products break down perfectly and within the stated time during industrial decomposition. This certification is highly regarded in North America. 
OK Compost (TÜV Austria): The certification is based on EN 13432. Most European countries recognize it. 
DIN-Geprüft Industrial Compostable (DIN CERTCO): EN 13432 and ISO 17088 standards form the basis of this certification. It comes from Germany and is a mark of reliability in the European market. 
Compostable Logo (European Bioplastics): This certification also assures that the product complies with EN 13432. 
Australian Standard AS 4736 (Australasian Bioplastics Association): It assures Australian customers that a product meets the compostability criteria for Australian facilities.

Conclusion

Compostable and biodegradable products help you preserve the environment for future generations. Their use ensures that you are performing your role in the green movement. However, it's important you dispose of compostable products properly.

Otherwise, you might not get the full environmental benefit. Also, check the certifications before purchasing the products to avoid getting greenwashed.

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