As Australia continues its push towards sustainability, more consumers and businesses are looking for eco-friendly alternatives like compostable products to reduce their environmental footprint. However, it can be confusing to distinguish between compostable and biodegradable items. In this guide, we’ll explain what compostable means under Australian standards, how to identify compostable materials, and why clear labeling is crucial for proper disposal.
What Does Compostable Mean in Australia?
In Australia, compostable products must meet specific standards that ensure they break down into non-toxic components—such as carbon dioxide, water, and biomass—within a set period of time. Compostable materials not only decompose entirely but also improve soil quality.
The key difference between compostable and biodegradable items is that compostable products leave no harmful residues behind and enhance soil health. In contrast, biodegradable products may break down slower and do not necessarily benefit the environment.
For an item to be certified as compostable in Australia, it must meet the AS 4736 or AS 5810 standards, which are closely aligned with international benchmarks like EN 13432. These standards specify the conditions under which compostable products must break down within industrial or home composting systems.
How to Identify Compostable Items: Key Indicators
If you’re unsure whether a product is compostable, here’s how you can check:
1. Look for Australian Certification Marks
In Australia, certain certifications guarantee that a product is compostable:
• Australian Certified Compostable (AS 4736): This certification ensures the product will break down under industrial composting conditions within 12 weeks, leaving no toxic residue. The mark is typically seen on packaging and foodservice items like plates, cutlery, and takeaway containers.
• Australian Home Compostable (AS 5810): Items with this label are safe to compost at home, breaking down at lower temperatures. This certification is often applied to packaging, bags, and food containers suitable for household composting systems.
• Seedling Logo: This logo is also recognized in Australia and indicates that the product complies with the EN 13432 standard, meaning it will compost in commercial facilities.
2. Check the Material
Compostable products are usually made from natural, plant-based materials that break down quickly and safely. Common compostable materials include:
• Sugarcane Pulp: Used in items like ZenPacks’ Sugarcane Bowls, which decompose into nutrient-rich compost.
• Cornstarch (PLA): This material is often used to make compostable plastic alternatives like cups, straws, and cutlery.
• Bamboo: A fast-growing renewable resource, bamboo is widely used in compostable products like plates and cutlery.
If a product is made from synthetic or fossil-fuel-derived materials, such as conventional plastics, it is not compostable—even if labeled as biodegradable.
3. Read the Labels
Proper labeling is crucial to understanding whether an item is compostable. Look for clear information on the packaging, such as:
• “Compostable in Industrial Facilities”: This means the product requires high heat and controlled conditions found in commercial composting sites to break down.
• “Home Compostable”: Items labeled this way will decompose in backyard compost bins, where temperatures are lower, and conditions are less controlled.
Be cautious of vague terms like “biodegradable” or “eco-friendly.” These terms don’t guarantee that a product is compostable, and in many cases, they may still leave residues behind.
Compostable vs. Biodegradable: What’s the Difference?
It’s essential to understand that while all compostable products are biodegradable, not all biodegradable products are compostable. The primary distinction is that biodegradable products might take years or even decades to decompose and can leave microplastics or other pollutants behind.
For instance, a biodegradable plastic bag may eventually break down into smaller plastic particles, but a compostable bag will disintegrate into organic matter that nourishes the soil.
Example: PLA Plastics in Australia
PLA (polylactic acid) products are often marketed as compostable, but in Australia, they must meet either the AS 4736 or AS 5810 standards to be certified. Without these certifications, they may require industrial composting and will not break down properly in a typical backyard compost bin.
Case Study: Composting in Australia
A great example of successful composting can be found in the City of Hobart. The local council introduced the FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) collection service in 2019, which accepts food scraps, garden waste, and certified compostable packaging. The service has significantly reduced the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, lowering methane emissions and producing valuable compost for the community.
However, one challenge has been contamination from improperly labeled biodegradable items. This confusion leads to increased processing costs and the risk of non-compostable materials ending up in compost.
Industrial vs. Home Composting in Australia
To properly dispose of compostable items, it’s important to understand the difference between industrial and home composting:
Industrial Composting
• Higher Temperature: Commercial composting facilities operate at temperatures between 55°C and 70°C, accelerating the decomposition of compostable materials.
• Controlled Environment: Facilities manage moisture, aeration, and heat to ensure that products decompose quickly and safely.
Products labeled AS 4736 or EN 13432 are designed to break down in industrial composting environments, which can process materials like PLA cups and compostable cutlery.
Home Composting
• Lower Temperature: Home compost bins operate at much lower temperatures (typically 20-30°C), so materials take longer to break down.
• Accepted Items: Only products certified under AS 5810 are safe for home composting, where conditions are less controlled.
For example, ZenPacks’ home compostable packaging can be disposed of in a backyard compost bin and will safely break down over time without the need for industrial facilities.
How to Confirm if Something is Compostable in Australia
To ensure an item is compostable, always check for certification marks such as AS 4736 or AS 5810, which indicate compliance with Australian compostability standards. Additionally, look for clear labeling that specifies the correct disposal method, whether it’s through industrial or home composting.
Being informed about compostable products helps prevent contamination in composting systems and maximises environmental benefits. For more eco-friendly and certified compostable packaging options, visit ZenPacks, where we offer a range of sustainable products for businesses and consumers alike.
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