What's the Difference Between Biodegradable and Compostable?

What is Biodegradable?

Biodegradable refers to any material that can break down into simple components such as biomass, carbon dioxide, and water. Microorganisms like fungi and bacteria perform this process, which can occur with or without oxygen. But he presence of oxygen typically accelerates the entire process.

Now here's the interesting part: the time taken for different items to biodegrade varies greatly—from a few days to several hundred years. Vegetables, eggshells, and garden waste typically biodegrade within days or weeks, while paper can take 2–5 months to become one with nature.

It's acceptable to label paper products as biodegradable, as long as they don't contain plastic as can take centuries to break down.

So theoretically, plastic is biodegradable. But if something lingers in our landfills and oceans for centuries, harming countless species, can we really call it biodegradable?

Let's take this discussion up a notch and introduce composting into the mix!

What is Compostable?

Composting is similar to biodegradation but requires human intervention. While microorganisms break down the product or material, humans must ensure the right conditions—proper amounts of water, oxygen, and organic matter—for this process to occur.

Home composting allows us to collect waste such as food scraps and yard trimmings, converting them into nutrient-rich compost that can enrich the soil in our backyards.

Industrial composting, on the other hand, takes place in a controlled facility. These facilities use precise measurements of water, air, temperature, and carbon and nitrogen-rich materials to ensure rapid biodegradation of organic material into high-quality compost. Unlike home composting, industrial facilities can process a wider range of materials.

But not every city has an industrial composting facility. As consumers, it's crucial to know if your city has one. When you see a "compostable" label on product packaging, always read the fine print. If the item is industrially compostable and your city lacks such a facility, it will likely end up in a landfill where it would take much longer to biodegrade.

Look Out for Certifications

It's easy for brands to stamp "compostable" on their products without going through any legal frameworks. Consequently, some claims might not be authentic. That's why it's crucial to check if products have the right certifications to back up their claims.

• ASTM Standard D6400: For a product to be labeled “industrially compostable” or “commercially compostable,” it must meet standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). ASTM’s Standard D6400 indicates that breakdown occurs within 180 days and that the final product is not toxic to the environment.
• ASTM Standard D6868: ASTM’s D6868 indicates products that can be composted in industrial aerobic composting facilities without negatively affecting the environment. This standard is used for products with a film or coating made with biodegradable plastic.
• Biodegradable Product Institute (BPI): BPI independently verifies the ASTM standards in the US. They ensure that a product can safely contribute to the soil after processing at a commercial composting facility.
• Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA): Independently performs additional real-world tests to ensure compostability.
• TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost HOME: Certifies that a product is Home Compostable and can break down in the lower heat of a home composting environment in less than a year.

GOB’s earplugs are made from lab-grown mycelium and they are 100% home-compostable. They even have a USDA Certified 100% Bio-based product. This means that it is completely derived from raw materials such as plants and other renewable agricultural, marine, and forestry materials and does not contain any plastic or harmful residues.