Compostable

Composting is the process of breaking down organic waste by microbial digestion to create compost. Compost has many beneficial uses including improving and fertilizing soil. To go through a composting process, organic waste requires the right level of heat, water, and oxygen.

Biodegradable

The definition of biodegradable is that a material is capable of undergoing biological anaerobic or aerobic degradation leading to the production of CO2, H2O, methane, biomass, and mineral salts, depending on the environmental conditions of the process.

So what's the difference in simple terms?

Eco Green Communities EGC_Images_New-station-bags_26-04-2021-1024x1018 Compostable vs Biodegradable
Compostable Bags

The term Biodegradable or Degradable can be misleading as technically everything is degradable eventually but the time scale can be ambiguous. It could take hundreds or even thousands of years to fully degrade.

However, a product labelled with Certified Compostable will degrade within a certain time frame of usually around 3 months, leaving no microplastics behind. 

In a pile of organic waste, there are millions of tiny microbes that consume the waste, transforming the organic materials into compost. In order to claim that a product is fully compostable, the product has to meet all the requirements in the European EN 13432 and/or the US Standard ASTM D6400. 

Both specifications require that biodegradable/compostable products completely decompose in a composting setting in a specific time frame, leaving no harmful residues behind.

Certifications

Eco Green Communities compostable-certification-02 Compostable vs Biodegradable

European EN13432

All of our compostable bags are certified compostable according to the European Standard EN 13432, BPI (USA) as well as other specialized certifications such as the GMO-free certificate.

Eco Green Communities compostable-certification-03 Compostable vs Biodegradable

TUV HOME

Our products also hold compostable and biodegradable certificates issued by TÜV AUSTRIA (OK Compost), The compostable bags are therefore suitable for home and industrial composting.

What happens if the product interacts with water?

Water Vapour Transmission

The WVTR (Water Vapour Transmission Rate) measures the transmission of water vapour through a material. WVTR is measured in grams/m² during 24 hours (according to the standard ASTM – E398). Using a bag with a high WVTR rate gives an important weight reduction of organic food waste due to the loss of water vapour. This reduces the growth of mould and fungus which also reduces unpleasant smell dramatically. It is important that a bag with a high WVTR is used in a ventilated caddy to achieve the best possible reduction of moisture. According to the ASTM standard, a material is measured in 30 microns. Our compostable bags has a value of up to 1200 gr/m²/24h. A traditional plastic (PELD) bag made in 30 microns has a value of only 20 gr/m²/24h.

Benefits of moisture reduction:

  • Provide wildlife habitats & support biodiversity
  • Reduces mould, fungus and smell in food waste
  • Reduces the weight of food waste which gives reduced handling cost
Eco Green Communities AdobeStock_507894759-2048x1365 Compostable vs Biodegradable

Have Any Questions?

Reach out to us.

Contact Us