What is compostable food packaging? Compostable food packaging is packaging that is made from materials designed to break down naturally in a composting environment.
What materials are compostable food packaging made from? Compostable food packaging can be made from a variety of materials, including plant-based materials such as cornstarch, sugarcane, and potato starch, as well as other biodegradable materials such as paper and cardboard.
Is compostable food packaging better for the environment than traditional plastic packaging? Compostable food packaging is generally considered to be more environmentally friendly than traditional plastic packaging, as it breaks down naturally in a composting environment and does not contribute to the accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and oceans.
Can compostable food packaging be recycled? Compostable food packaging is not always recyclable, as it requires specialised recycling facilities to properly break down. However, it can be composted in a commercial composting facility or in a backyard composting system.
What is the difference between biodegradable and compostable food packaging? Biodegradable packaging refers to packaging that is designed to break down over time, but it may not necessarily break down completely or turn into compost. Compostable packaging, on the other hand, is designed to break down completely and turn into compost in a composting environment.
Are there any downsides to using compostable food packaging? Compostable food packaging may be more expensive than traditional plastic packaging, and it requires specialised composting facilities to break down properly.
Is compostable food packaging toxic? Compostable food packaging is generally not considered toxic. However, it is important to note that some compostable food packaging may contain small amounts of chemicals or additives that could potentially be harmful if they were to leach into the environment. To ensure that compostable food packaging is safe, it is important to look for products that have been certified by reputable organisations, such as the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or the Composting Council, and to follow proper disposal instructions to prevent contamination of the environment.
In Australia, there are several certifications for food safe compostable packaging that you can look for when choosing compostable packaging products. These certifications help to ensure that the packaging meets certain standards for safety and compostability.
Here are some of the certifications you can look for:
- AS 4736: This is an Australian standard for biodegradable plastics that specifies the requirements for biodegradability and compostability. Products that comply with this standard have been independently tested and verified to break down safely in composting conditions.
- AS 5810: This is an Australian standard for compostable packaging that specifies the requirements for biodegradability, disintegration, and ecotoxicity. Products that comply with this standard have been independently tested and verified to break down safely in composting conditions and not harm the environment.
- Home Compostable: This is a certification from the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) that indicates that a product is safe to compost in a home composting system. Products with this certification are designed to break down completely in a home composting environment without releasing harmful toxins.
- Seedling logo: This is a certification from the European Bioplastics Association (EUBP) that indicates that a product meets certain standards for compostability and biodegradability. Products with this certification have been independently tested and verified to break down safely in composting conditions.
- Compostable in accordance with EN 13432: This is a certification from the European standard for compostability. Products with this certification have been independently tested and verified to break down safely in composting conditions and meet certain criteria for biodegradability, disintegration, and ecotoxicity.
When choosing compostable packaging products in Australia, it’s important to look for these certifications to ensure that the products are safe and meet certain standards for compostability and biodegradability.
