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Not All Packaging is the Same – Here’s What You Need to Know

What is Compostable Packaging?

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It’s made from plants.  Compostable packaging is a plant-based alternative to conventional oil-based plastics. Instead of relying on fossil fuels, it’s made from renewable materials such as:

  • Paper & Card – sourced from recycled fibres or sustainably managed forests.

  • Sugarcane (Bagasse) – a by product of sugar production, lightweight yet sturdy.

  • Palm Leaf – naturally shed leaves, pressed into durable packaging.

  • Bioplastics like PLA (Polylactic Acid) – made from fermented plant starch (typically corn or sugarcane).

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It’s designed to break down—but only in the right conditions.

All certified compostable packaging is designed to fully break down inside an industrial composting facility when collected with food waste, within 12 weeks.

While some compostable materials can be composted at home, PLA (Polylactic Acid) bioplastic requires high temperatures and specific conditions only found in industrial composting. If compostables aren’t sent to the right facility, they won’t break down properly.

We found these 'compostable' plastic cup

It is NOT designed to break down in nature.

Compostable packaging won’t degrade in the ocean, rivers, or littered on the street. It can take years to break down. Compostables need the right collection and processing to return to the soil as compost.

That’s why capturing compostables at the source and sending them to the right facilities is crucial—so they actually deliver the environmental benefits they’re designed for.

Advantages of Compostable Packaging

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A key advantage of compostable packaging is that it allows for the processing of packaging contaminated with food residue that is unsuitable for recycling.  Such waste currently goes to incineration or landfill.  Both the food residues and the packaging when buried in landfill, give off methane, a greenhouse gas that is 30 times more damaging than carbon dioxide, .

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When compostable food packaging is collected alongside your food waste and properly composted, it reduces carbon emissions by diverting organic waste from landfill and incineration. In landfill, food waste and compostables break down anaerobically, producing methane—a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO₂. By composting instead, these materials return valuable nutrients to the soil without releasing harmful emissions, supporting healthier soils and a more circular, low-carbon system.

Compostable vs Biodegradable vs Recyclable

CRE_VDW-8_Coffee_machine_Dm_edited_edite

It’s made from plants.  Compostable packaging is a plant-based alternative to conventional oil-based plastics. Instead of relying on fossil fuels, it’s made from renewable materials such as:

  • Paper & Card – sourced from recycled fibres or sustainably managed forests.

  • Sugarcane (Bagasse) – a by product of sugar production, lightweight yet sturdy.

  • Palm Leaf – naturally shed leaves, pressed into durable packaging.

  • Bioplastics like PLA (Polylactic Acid) – made from fermented plant starch (typically corn or sugarcane).

AdobeStock_406816500_edited.jpg

It’s designed to break down—but only in the right conditions.

All certified compostable packaging is designed to fully break down inside an industrial composting facility when collected with food waste, within 12 weeks.

While some compostable materials can be composted at home, PLA (Polylactic Acid) bioplastic requires high temperatures and specific conditions only found in industrial composting. If compostables aren’t sent to the right facility, they won’t break down properly.

We found these 'compostable' plastic cup

It is NOT designed to break down in nature.

Compostable packaging won’t degrade in the ocean, rivers, or littered on the street. It can take years to break down. Compostables need the right collection and processing to return to the soil as compost.

That’s why capturing compostables at the source and sending them to the right facilities is crucial—so they actually deliver the environmental benefits they’re designed for.

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Proper disposal is key! Learn more in Section 3.

 

2. Compostable vs. Biodegradable vs. Recyclable: The Key Differences

There’s a lot of confusion about what these terms actually mean.

 

🚨 Beware of "biodegradable" claims! Many so-called "biodegradable" plastics can take decades to break down and may not compost at all. Look for trusted certifications instead.

Not sure how to identify real compostables? See Section 4!

 

3. How Compostables Break Down & Why Disposal Matters

Compostables need the right environment to break down properly. The process happens in industrial composting facilities that control temperature, oxygen, and moisture to speed up decomposition.

  • The Composting Process:

  1. Collected Separately in a Composting Bin

  2. Sent to an Industrial Composting Facility

  3. Processed into Nutrient-Rich Compost

  4. Used to Improve Soil Health & Reduce Carbon Emissions

 

🚨 Where NOT to Put Compostables:
❌ General Waste Bin: Will be incinerated or landfilled, losing its composting benefits.
❌ Recycling Bin: Compostables contaminate recycling streams and cannot be processed with plastic or paper.
❌ Food Waste Bin (UK): Most food waste goes to anaerobic digestion (AD), which does NOT process compostables.

Need help setting up compostables collection? Contact Food4Soil today!

  

4. Certification & Trustworthy Logos: Avoiding Greenwashing

With so many "eco-friendly" claims, how do you know if packaging is truly compostable? Look for these official certification logos:

  • Trusted Certifications

  1. EN 13432 (Europe) – The gold standard for industrial composting compliance.

  2. TÜV OK Compost (Industrial & Home) – Indicates if an item is suitable for home or industrial composting.

  3. ASTM D6400 (USA) – Meets strict compostability standards.

                    

🚨 If a product doesn’t have one of these logos (plus a certification number), it may NOT be compostable. Be wary of vague terms like "biodegradable" without proof.

Want to learn how to spot greenwashing? Read our full certification guide!

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5. Challenges & Misconceptions About Compostables

Despite their benefits, compostables face challenges in the current waste system.

🔹 Myth: Compostables break down anywhere
✔ Fact: They need the right conditions! Compostables won’t degrade properly in landfill, the ocean, or standard recycling.

🔹 Myth: Compostables can go in food waste bins
✔ Fact: In the UK, most food waste bins go to anaerobic digestion (AD), which removes packaging (compostable or not).

🔹 Myth: All compostables are the same
✔ Fact: Some are home-compostable, others require industrial composting. Always check for proper certifications.

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6. The Future of Compostables & How Businesses Can Adapt

  • The Future of Compostables in the UK

  • More businesses are switching to compostable packaging to meet sustainability targets.

  • Policy changes are on the horizon—compostables may be included in future recycling regulations.

  • The push for decentralised composting is growing, with businesses exploring small-scale composting solutions.

 

What Can Businesses Do Now?

  1. Switch to certified compostable packaging.

  2. Ensure correct bin setup to prevent contamination.

  3. Educate staff & customers on proper disposal.

  4. Work with a specialist composting service like Food4Soil.

 Need help implementing compostables in your business? Contact Food4Soil today!

 

Final Thoughts

Compostables only work when used and disposed of correctly. Businesses that adopt compostable packaging must also ensure proper collection and processing—otherwise, they risk wasting its potential.

Want to take the next step? Download our Composting Implementation Guide or contact Food4Soil to set up a specialist collection service today.

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