Are You Using Certified Compostable Products?
Amidst claims from every direction about environmental friendliness, it can be difficult to determine which claims can be trusted. Some supposedly “compostable” products do not biodegrade as expected. That’s why it’s important to check whether or not the products you’re using are certified compostable.
Biodegradable Vs. Compostable Vs. Certified Compostable
Confused by all of the green terms? Although biodegradable and compostable are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to two different qualities in products. We can help you distinguish between these key phrases.
Here's a quick overview from our friends at BPI. "While “biodegradable” and “compostable” may appear to be synonymous terms, there are important differences. While everything that is compostable is technically biodegradable, not everything that is biodegradable is compostable because there are specific third-party standards and time frames associated with compostability that do not exist for biodegradability. This becomes particularly important when the terms are used to describe the end-of-life attributes of products and packaging."
Biodegradable, by its Merriam-Webster definition, means that something is capable of being broken down, especially into innocuous products, by the action of living things (such as microorganisms). While many things can be considered biodegradable by the dictionary definition given enough time, this term doesn't convey a sense of the timeline of biodegradation, so it shouldn't be used to market products trying to portray themselves as "eco-friendly" because it's misleading.
Compostable is a word used to describe material that can be converted to compost. Compost, by its definition, is a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land. As a result, all compostable products are biodegradable (but not all biodegradable items can be composted). The end result of composting is called humus, and it makes the soil more nutrient-rich.
Certified Compostable products are proven to break down at a rate comparable to known compostable materials. To qualify, PLA plastics and other compostable materials must comply with any number of third-party certifiers, such as ASTM D6400, BPI Certified Compostable, or CMA Composter Approved, to Túv Austria OK Compost INDUSTRIAL and OK Compost HOME standards. Those products that qualify bear a BPI Certification Mark and are considered to be designed to be composted in municipal and industrial aerobic composting facilities.
What Is BPI Certified Compostable?
Look for this logo on products marked “Compostable.”
The Biodegradable Products Institute® (BPI) was established in 1999 to help consumers and businesses alike understand more about compostability and find fully biodegradable products in a sea of greenwashed advertising. In 2002, ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868 standards and respective tests were introduced to fight against misinformation about compostable products. BPI aims to identify and mark certified compostable products with a Compostable Logo program that indicates products that have passed these standardized tests.
Ensure The Products You’re Using Are Certified Compostable
Green Paper Products provides a wide range of BPI-certified compostable goods that fit every need to help you be more environmentally responsible. If you’re ready to start making greener product choices, contact us to learn more, or check out just a few of our products below!
Shopping Bags—We offer certified compostable plastic shopping bags that fully breaks down into compost in 50–90 days in a commercial composting facility, which may not be available in your area. These heavy-duty bags are suited to carrying groceries, takeout containers, and more. Once you're done using them, they also serve as great compost bin liners.
Sandwich Bags — We have the perfect suite of alternatives to plastic ziplock bags. These sandwich bags are durable and BPI-certified.
Cutlery—Our BPI-certified compostable disposable utensil packs are made from a proprietary bio-resin that is durable for everyday use and fully sustainable and compostable. They are great for use in cafeterias, restaurants, schools, business functions, catering, and events of any kind.
Trash Bags—We have certified compostable trash bags available in several sizes to conveniently fit multiple different trash bin sizes. These are also made from our eco-friendly proprietary resin, which combines strength and trusted quality with high levels of biodegradability.
Compostable Containers — We have certified compostable containers for all of your business or home needs. Browse from a wide range of paper food boxes, clamshells, bento boxes, and more.
