Not sure what the label on your packaging really promises? In biodegradable vs compostable, compostable means breaking down within a set time under set conditions, while biodegradable names no timeline. Check for certification.
If you want the wider picture first, start with what is sustainability, then come back to see how these two labels fit in.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Typical compostable breakdown time | 90 to 180 days |
| Benchmark for an unqualified “biodegradable” claim | Complete breakdown within about a year of normal disposal |
| Last update of the FTC Green Guides | 2012 |
| BPI standard for plastics | ASTM D6400 |
| BPI standard for coated paper | ASTM D6868 |
These figures come from Arka’s packaging guide and EcoPackables’ packaging explainer. Standards and rules can change, so check the sources before you rely on them.
What does biodegradable mean?
A biodegradable product is one that living microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria can consume, breaking it down into compounds found in nature, according to Good Start Packaging. The word describes a process, not a result you can count on in your own bin.
The catch is time. The same source notes that biodegradable material can take an undetermined time to break down, which could mean months or decades.
As of the 2012 update of the FTC Green Guides, an unqualified biodegradable claim is supposed to mean the product breaks down completely within about a year of normal disposal, as EcoPackables explains. No independent body checks that claim the way certifiers check compostable ones.
What does compostable mean?
A compostable product can disintegrate into non-toxic, natural elements at a rate consistent with similar organic materials. Good Start Packaging adds that it needs microorganisms, humidity and heat to yield a finished compost.
That finished compost is made of water, inorganic compounds and biomass. Compostable materials decompose within a specific time frame, but only when those conditions are met, such as in an industrial composting facility.
Arka puts the usual window at 90 to 180 days, and says compostable works best when customers have access to composting facilities, in its comparison guide.
Biodegradable vs compostable: the practical difference
The cleanest rule is that all compostable materials are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable materials are compostable, per Arka. Compostable is the narrower, more demanding claim.
Three differences matter when you hold a product in your hand:
- Time: compostable has a defined window, while biodegradable has none.
- Conditions: compostable needs the right heat, moisture and microorganisms, so where you dispose of it matters.
- Proof: compostable claims can be backed by a certification mark, while a bare biodegradable claim usually is not.
Certifications that back a compostable claim
EcoPackables names the two certifications you will see most often. The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certifies plastics to ASTM D6400 and coated paper to ASTM D6868, as described on its explainer page.
The other is TÜV Austria OK Compost, which offers two separate certifications: HOME and INDUSTRIAL. The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) certifies compostable claims the same way for Australia and New Zealand.
The split matters at home. Material certified only INDUSTRIAL will not fully break down in a backyard bin, because it needs the sustained high heat of a commercial facility. Also, a product is not compostable simply because the material happens to be plant-based.
If you are comparing materials more widely, our guide to sustainable packaging covers the main options.
Why unproven biodegradable claims cause trouble
Packaging is a big part of the waste stream. The EPA estimated that containers and packaging made up 28.1% of municipal solid waste in 2018, including 14.5 million tons of plastic containers and packaging, according to Good Start Packaging. Vague labels make it harder to sort that material properly.
Enforcement is real. In 2015 the FTC found that ECM BioFilms had made false and unsubstantiated claims that its plastic additive made products biodegrade in a landfill within nine months to five years, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that ruling in 2017, per EcoPackables.
Arka calls biodegradable a weaker claim unless you can prove the material fully breaks down within one year, in its guide. Another route is to avoid the question by skipping plastic altogether, which our page on plastic free packaging explores.
How to read a label before you buy or toss
A few quick checks cut through most marketing language:
- Look for a certification mark that names the exact product, such as BPI or OK Compost.
- Check whether the mark says HOME or INDUSTRIAL, since that decides where it can go.
- Find out whether a composting facility near you accepts it.
- Treat a bare “biodegradable” claim with no mark nearby with real skepticism.
Following these steps keeps you from putting items in the wrong bin or paying extra for a claim nobody has verified.
Frequently asked questions
Is compostable the same as biodegradable?
Show answer
No. Compostable products break down within a specific time frame under set conditions, while biodegradable material can take an undetermined time, according to Good Start Packaging.
Can I put compostable packaging in my backyard bin?
Show answer
Only if it is certified for home composting. Material certified only INDUSTRIAL will not fully break down in a backyard bin, per EcoPackables.
Does plant-based mean compostable?
Show answer
No. The same source says the word compostable belongs on packaging certified for that exact product, not because the material happens to be plant-based.
How long does compostable material take to break down?
Show answer
Arka says it is usually 90 to 180 days, while biodegradable material has no defined time, as its guide explains. Real-world results depend on the conditions where you dispose of it.
