What do our Certifications mean?

Many companies are promoting their products or packaging as ‘compostable’. That sounds good to us as consumers but there have been instances where companies are just greenwashing and claiming that they are better for the environment.

First off, it’s important to know that our products are not ‘biodegradable’ certified, this means it is NOT:

• Biodegradable SOIL
• Biodegradable WATER
• Biodegradable MARINE
• Bio-Based

Biodegradability means that a substance can be decomposed by biological processes – that is, by living microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) over a long period of time. Composting, on the other hand, is basically a human-controlled process of bio-degradation, ensuring optimal conditions for the microbes in order to reach results faster. And since composting is a human-controlled process, humans have also invented certain rules and criteria that apply.

When it comes to ‘compostable products’ there is more than meets the eye. In the late 1980s, there was confusion and scepticism on products claiming to be ‘compostable’ as these types of plastics weren’t able to be properly tested. By 2002, conclusive scientific research had been undertaken to prove that the material used in the product was indeed compostable, and therefore certification logos meant that these products meet the globally recognized composition test standards.

The Compostable logo is the authority for products that meet the ASTM D6400 and/or D6868 standards so that, consumers, composters, regulators and the general public can be assured that the product will compost as expected. The logo is designed to be easily recognizable and able to be placed on the actual product as well as packaging materials and sales literature.

Certified for Industrial Compost

Packaging or products featuring the OK compost Industrial logos are guaranteed as biodegradable in an industrial composting plant. This applies to the entire component, from the ink and the additives. Compostable products such as compostable coffee cups or plates are usually thicker and require more heat and consistency to breakdown at the right rate.

Certified for Home Compost

Composting can reduce the volume of organic waste quite significantly, while the compost produced can be used for gardening and horticultural purposes. The temperature and material in a garden compost heap are slower and less consistent than in an industrial composting facility. To have this compostable certification logo it must be made out of a material that can be compostable in home gardens as it would usually be a more difficult and slow-paced breakdown process.

What about Landfill?

Whenever possible, avoid putting compostable products in the rubbish bins as it ends up in a landfill. It’s not necessarily a bad option, but landfills don't provide the most ideal conditions that composting facilities do, therefore, it takes far longer to disintegrate

Eco Poop Bags are proud to be both industrial compost and home compost certified. Our product can breakdown from as little as 90 days depending on the environment, making it far better than any plastic or partially plastic product in the market. 

To read more about the certifications visit the website: http://www.tuv-at.be/solutions/.