What You Need to Know about the Differences between Compostable and Oxo-degradable

What's the Difference?

Composting and biodegradation both involve natural degradation or the breakdown of organic matter into earth through digestion by microorganisms, though they are not interchangeable terms. Oxo-degradable plastics include additives that chemically breakdown plastic over time, but cannot be digested by microorganisms.
Eco-friendly packaging emerged out of a need to create packaging solutions that do not create the same level of waste and toxicity that synthetic materials, such as conventional plastic, are known to create. Compostable, biodegradable, and oxo-degradable are commonly-used terms in conversations surrounding sustainability initiatives for packaging materials—but what is the difference?

 

What is Compostable?

If a material is compostable, it means that under composting conditions (heat, humidity, oxygen, & the presence of microorganisms) it will break down to CO2, water, and a nutrient-rich compost within a specific time frame.

If your sustainable packaging is labeled compostable, you can be sure that it will disintegrate within—at most—180 days under compost conditions. It is similar to the way food and garden waste is broken down by microorganisms and disintegrates and leaves no toxic residues.

 

Why compostable matters?

Flexible plastic packaging waste is often too contaminated with food waste to be suitable for recycling and is ultimately sent for incineration or to landfill. This is where compostable packaging comes in. Not only would landfill and incineration be avoided, but the compost produced would return organic matter to the soil.

If compostable pouch waste can integrate into the organic waste system and be used as compost (nutrient-rich soil) for the next generation of plants, then waste has a circular, more practical and even down-to-earth purpose for the market.

 

What are Oxo-degradable Plastics?

Oxo-degradable products are made from conventional plastics and supplemented with specific additives in order to break down plastics into little pieces, but that’s where it stops. It will never fully biodegrade because microorganisms do not recognize the synthetic monomers, and therefore do not digest them.

 

What is the problem with Oxo-degradable plastics?

Of major concern is that significant evidence suggests that oxo-degradable plastics fragment into small pieces, contributing to micro plastics pollution.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative together has published a statement calling for a ban on oxo-degradable plastic packaging. 150 organizations have joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation call for a ban.

“Compostable simply means being able to be used as compost.”

Compost (for example dead leaves, or manure) are decaying organic substances which can be used as fertilizer.

There is a Difference

The difference between oxo-biodegradable and compostable is subtle. While compostable bags decompose completely, the oxo-biodegradable bags leave small particles behind as they decompose, and those particles can be problematic (often made from petroleum products). It’s not because we don’t see something that it is not polluting.

When you are in the store, remember that there is a difference between compostable and oxo-degradable. Both affect the environment in different ways. Compostable products are actually environmentally safe and typically reduce the pollution, whereas oxo-biodegradable products may actually cause further pollution.

Click the below link and connect with BPS That Offers Compostable Packaging and a variety of sustainable packaging solutions:

•  Recyclable Pouch
•  Compostable Pouch
•  Plastic Saving Paper Pouch

 

 

Blog Author: Grace Huang

Edited by: Jasmine Zhang

 Contact BPS Team: inquiry@bestpackagesolutions.net