Products appearing on store shelves are increasingly labeled “compostable,” indicating a shift towards materials that can return to the earth. The term “commercially compostable” frequently appears, requiring consumers to understand how these items differ from other disposal options. This designation is important for proper management and supporting waste diversion efforts.
Understanding Commercial Composting
Commercial composting is an industrial process designed to break down organic materials under controlled conditions. Facilities maintain high temperatures, typically between 55 to 70 degrees Celsius (131 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit), sustained for days to weeks. These elevated temperatures accelerate microbial activity, ensuring efficient decomposition of a wider range of organic materials than is possible in a backyard pile.
Precise moisture levels, usually around 50-60%, also contribute to the thriving microbial environment. These conditions allow specialized microorganisms to efficiently break down complex polymers found in commercially compostable products. Materials like polylactic acid (PLA), derived from plant starches, require these higher, consistent temperatures to depolymerize. Controlled aeration ensures an ample supply of oxygen, facilitating aerobic decomposition and preventing methane production. This environment processes organic waste into nutrient-rich compost within weeks or months.
Commercially Compostable Versus Other Terms
The terms “commercially compostable,” “biodegradable,” “home compostable,” and “recyclable” describe distinct end-of-life pathways for materials, often causing consumer confusion. “Biodegradable” means a material can break down into natural components over time, but it does not specify conditions, timeframe, or byproduct quality. A biodegradable item might decompose in a landfill over hundreds of years, potentially leaving harmful residues or contributing to methane emissions. This broad term does not guarantee that a material will break down quickly or into beneficial soil.
“Home compostable” materials are designed to break down in a typical backyard compost pile, which operates at lower and more variable temperatures than commercial facilities. These items generally consist of simpler organic structures that decompose effectively without the intense heat and precise moisture control of industrial systems. Products certified as home compostable carry a specific designation or logo indicating their suitability for this less rigorous environment. The decomposition process in a home compost bin can take longer, often several months to a year, depending on the material and local conditions.
“Recyclable” materials are designed to be collected, processed, and transformed into new products, rather than breaking down. Recycling involves melting plastics or breaking down paper fibers to create new items, preserving material value and reducing the need for virgin resources. Placing compostable items in recycling bins can contaminate streams, as they are chemically different from traditional plastics and cannot be processed alongside them. This distinction highlights the importance of proper sorting to ensure materials reach their intended processing stream.
Identifying Certified Commercially Compostable Products
Identifying commercially compostable products relies on recognizing specific certifications that verify their ability to break down in industrial facilities. These certifications are issued by independent third-party organizations after rigorous testing against established standards. In North America, the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is a prominent certification body; products meeting their criteria display the BPI Compostable logo. This logo signifies the product meets the ASTM D6400 standard for industrial composting, assessing disintegration, biodegradation, and ecotoxicity.
In Europe, TÜV AUSTRIA offers the “OK compost INDUSTRIAL” certification, indicating compliance with the European standard EN 13432. This standard requires materials to disintegrate and biodegrade within specific timeframes in an industrial composting environment, without leaving harmful residues. Looking for these specific logos and certifications on product packaging is the most reliable way to confirm an item’s commercial compostability.
Disposing of Commercially Compostable Items
Proper disposal of commercially compostable items is crucial for their environmental benefit, depending on local infrastructure. These materials require access to commercial composting facilities, which are not universally available. Placing commercially compostable items in landfills prevents intended decomposition, as landfills lack the necessary conditions. In anaerobic landfill environments, these materials may break down slowly and contribute to methane emissions.
Avoid placing commercially compostable items in home compost bins, as backyard systems do not reach the sustained high temperatures required for full decomposition. Attempting to home compost plastics like PLA can result in fragments remaining in the compost. These items should also not be placed in standard recycling bins. Their chemical composition differs significantly from traditional plastics, and their inclusion can contaminate recycling streams, leading to rejection of entire batches.
Consumers should check with their local waste management authority or municipal recycling programs for available commercial composting services. Many areas offer specific collection programs for organic waste, including commercially compostable items, often through curbside pickup or drop-off sites. Following local guidelines ensures these products complete their intended journey.