Biodegradable vs compostable: differences and which to choose for your packaging
"Biodegradable" and "compostable" appear in almost every sustainable packagingcatalogue. They are often used as if they meant the same thing. They do not.
Confusing them has concrete consequences: choosing packaging that does not break down as expected, throwing it in the wrong bin or paying more for a product whose characteristics you are not fully exploiting. This guide explains precisely what each term means, what the regulations say and how to use this information to choose your packaging better.
Why it is important to tell them apart
Regulatory pressure on packaging is increasing. The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), currently being adopted, aims to ensure that by 2030 packaging placed on the market in the European Union is recyclable or compostable.
Food service businesses that are already adapting their packaging are better positioned for this scenario, and their customers notice. Sustainability has moved from a differentiating advantage to a growing expectation.
But choosing sustainable packaging without understanding each certification leads to ineffective decisions. Buying "biodegradable" packaging thinking it will disappear within a few weeks can disappoint. Opting for compostable packaging when your local authority has no food waste collection can cancel out the environmental benefit.
Good information before purchase avoids all of this.
What biodegradable means
A material is biodegradable when it can break down naturally through the action of micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, other organisms) without industrial intervention.
One nuance is often overlooked: strictly speaking, almost all materials are biodegradable. The difference lies in time. A conventional plastic can take between 100 and 1,000 years to break down. A kraft board package, between 2 and 6 months. A sugar cane fibre package, a few weeks under suitable conditions.
When a manufacturer states that packaging is "biodegradable", the real question is therefore not whether it breaks down, but how long it takes and under what conditions.
Regulation does not impose a universal timeframe for defining a biodegradable material, which makes this term less precise, and more open to marketing use, than "compostable".
Where should you throw away biodegradable packaging?
It depends on the material:
- Biodegradable cardboard and paper: paper and cardboard recycling bin, provided they are not soiled with food scraps. If they are very dirty, food waste bin or general waste, depending on the local authority.
- Bio-based biodegradable plastics (PLA, etc.): they do not go in the plastic recycling bin, as they contaminate that recycling stream. Direct them to food waste or general waste, depending on the local authority.
- Natural fibre packaging (sugar cane, bamboo): food waste if certified compostable, general waste if not.
What compostable means
Compostable packaging is, by definition, biodegradable. But the reverse is not true.
The difference rests on three elements: the result, the time and the conditions.
A compostable material breaks down to produce compost, a nutrient-rich organic soil improver, with no toxic or visible residues, within a set timeframe and under controlled conditions of temperature, humidity and aeration. In other words: it does not just disappear, it becomes something useful for the soil.
The reference standard at European level is EN 13432. For packaging to be certified compostable, it must meet the following criteria, among others:
- At least 90% of the material must be biodegraded in less than 6 months under controlled composting conditions.
- No visible fragments (larger than 2 mm) may remain after 3 months in contact with organic matter.
- It must not contain any toxic substance affecting the composting process or the final compost.
The label that certifies this standard in Europe is the Seedling (the small OK Compost sprout), managed by the TÜV Austria body.
Industrial or home composting?
This distinction is essential and rarely stated clearly on labels.
The majority of certified compostable packaging is certified for industrial composting: it requires the temperature and aeration conditions of a composting plant (between 55 °C and 70 °C, held stable) to break down within the stated timeframes.
In home composting (garden or kitchen bin), temperatures are lower and results more variable. There is packaging certified for home composting (OK Compost Home label), but it is less common in food service.
In practice: if packaging is compostable only in an industrial setting, putting it in a home composter may not produce the expected result. For a complete cycle, it is ideal for the local authority to have a food waste collection and a composting plant.
Where should you throw away compostable packaging?
- Food waste bin, if the local authority has a collection and an industrial composting plant.
- Never in the plastic recycling bin, even if it looks like plastic. Compostable packaging contaminates plastic recycling.
- If there is no food waste collection, follow the local system: often general waste, which is not ideal but remains acceptable in the absence of an alternative.
Comparison table: biodegradable vs compostable
| Characteristic | Biodegradable | Compostable |
|---|---|---|
| Breaks down naturally | Yes | Yes |
| Produces compost | Not necessarily | Yes, always |
| Guaranteed free of toxic residues | Not necessarily | Yes (mandatory standard) |
| Degradation time | Variable (months to centuries) | Less than 6 months in industrial conditions |
| Reference standard | No single standard | EN 13432 |
| Recognised certification | No single one | OK Compost (Seedling) |
| Appropriate bin | Varies depending on the material | Food waste |
| All compostable is biodegradable | — | Yes |
| All biodegradable is compostable | No | — |
Other terms to know
Recyclable: a recyclable material can be turned into a new raw material or a new product. Recycling does not imply natural degradation: PET can be recycled but does not biodegrade within a reasonable time. Many recyclable materials are neither biodegradable nor compostable.
Degradable or "oxo-degradable": a term used for plastics with additives to accelerate their fragmentation. This does not mean biodegradation: they turn into persistent microplastics in the environment. The EU has restricted these plastics since 2021. To be avoided.
Eco-friendly: generic terms with no technical definition or official standard. A product can call itself "eco-friendly" without any real certification. Always ask for proof.
What is the best choice for your packaging?
There is no single answer. It depends on several factors specific to your business.
When to choose biodegradable packaging
If budget is an important factor and you want to gradually reduce your environmental impact, natural materials with good biodegradability (kraft paper cups, plant fibres) are a solid option.
It is also relevant if your local authority has no food waste collection.
When to choose certified compostable packaging
If sustainability is part of your brand positioning, compostable certification is the strongest argument, because it is standardised and verifiable.
It is also relevant if your area has a food waste collection system and a composting stream.
Finally, for events, catering or institutional food service, biodegradable cups and compostable ones are often the most effective solution.
European regulation: where packaging is heading
The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) redefines the sector's requirements:
- Packaging will have to be recyclable or compostable by 2030.
- Reduction of single-use plastics without a sustainable alternative.
- Promotion of reuse and reduction of unnecessary packaging.
Businesses that adapt now gain a strategic head start.
FAQ: biodegradable and compostable
What is the difference between biodegradable and compostable?
A biodegradable material breaks down through the action of micro-organisms, with no imposed timeframe or conditions. A compostable material breaks down into compost, within a specific timeframe and under controlled conditions, according to the EN 13432 standard.
Is biodegradable packaging necessarily compostable?
No. All compostable packaging is biodegradable, but biodegradable packaging is not necessarily compostable.
Where should you throw away compostable packaging?
In the food waste bin if your local authority has a collection, never in the plastic recycling bin. Failing that, follow the local sorting system.
How can you recognise truly compostable packaging?
Look for compliance with the EN 13432 standard and a recognised label such as OK Compost (Seedling). A simple "eco-friendly" claim is not enough.
Conclusion
Biodegradable and compostable are not interchangeable: the latter is standardised, verifiable and suited to a processing stream. Choose according to your positioning and the waste management in your area. Discover the Covr catalogue to select disposable food packaging suited to your business, or contact us for advice.
