{"id":122,"date":"2020-03-25T09:40:54","date_gmt":"2020-03-25T09:40:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hydropac.co.uk\/?p=122"},"modified":"2025-03-31T11:23:06","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T11:23:06","slug":"is-compostable-the-new-word-for-biodegradable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hydropac.co.uk\/eco-friendly\/is-compostable-the-new-word-for-biodegradable\/","title":{"rendered":"Is \u201cCompostable\u201d the new word for \u201cBiodegradable\u201d?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A little while ago, we got on our soapbox about how the term \u201cbiodegradable\u201d is actually just the attractive word for landfill<\/a>, and now it\u2019s our turn to discuss the word \u201ccompostable\u201d. We\u2019re the first to advocate the use of materials that are actually compostable, but there are a lot of misconceptions out there about the impact using compostable materials will have on the environment.<\/p>\n

Compostable Myths<\/h2>\n

The best ones out there\u2026.<\/p>\n

Everything marked as compostable can be freely disposed of into the environment.<\/strong><\/p>\n

FALSE!<\/strong> It must be separated from other products before being disposed of. Nothing should also be freely disposed of into the environment; this could simply lead to a big littering issue.<\/em><\/p>\n

Compostable packaging and biodegradable packaging are the same thing<\/strong><\/p>\n

FALSE!<\/strong> Something \u201cbiodegradable\u201d and something \u201ccompostable\u201d are very different things, as compostable materials are able to completely break down without producing toxins as they decompose. Certified compostable packaging is also guaranteed to break down under specific conditions. Biodegradable packaging has no fixed timeframe to break down and does release toxins into the ground as it degrades.<\/em><\/p>\n

Compostable materials replace the need for recycling<\/strong><\/p>\n

FALSE!<\/strong> Recycling and composting are very different things, as something that is being recycled will be reused either as a new version of the same item (like a tin can being recycled into a tin can) or a new item from the recycled material. Something composted will break down into the environment with no harm to the surrounding area, but not be reused. <\/em><\/p>\n

There are materials such as PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate) that cannot compost as they contain toxins and would take many years to biodegrade but can easily be recycled into new items.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Correct Compostable Disposal<\/h2>\n

Like something classed as \u201cbiodegradable\u201d, it\u2019s really important to make sure disposal of anything \u201ccompostable\u201d is done in the right way.<\/p>\n