Biodegradable and compostable are two eco-friendly words that are often used to refer to the same thing, but they are not the same. Both are part of the “green” movement, which tries to make the world a better place. To understand how these products are different and what they mean in the green movement, you need to know the difference between them.
What Does Biodegradable Mean?
Biodegradable products, hailed for their potential to reduce our environmental footprint, are designed to break down naturally into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass with the help of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. While they present a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional, non-degradable materials, understanding their advantages and limitations is crucial for making informed environmental decisions. Here’s an in-depth look at the pros and cons of biodegradable materials.
Pros and Cons of Biodegradables
Pros of Biodegradables
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Biodegradable materials reduce landfill waste by breaking down over time, leaving less permanent waste and reducing pollution and landfill use.
- Natural Decomposition: Biodegradable products decompose naturally, minimizing their environmental impact and transforming into harmless substances that integrate back into the earth, unlike traditional plastics that can persist for centuries.
- Reduction in Carbon Footprint: Biodegradable materials decompose, releasing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, potentially reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, especially compared to traditional plastics’ full lifecycle emissions.
- Encourages Sustainability Practices: Biodegradable materials promote sustainable living and business practices, encouraging consumers and manufacturers to critically consider their materials’ long-term environmental impacts.
Cons of Biodegradables
- Lack of Industrial Composting Facilities: Biodegradable products require specific conditions in industrial composting facilities for effective breakdown, which may not be faster than traditional plastics in landfills without such facilities.
- Potential for Increased Methane Emissions: Biodegradable materials in landfills break down anaerobically, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas that, if not properly captured, can significantly contribute to climate change.
- Possible Contamination: Biodegradables mixed with recyclables can contaminate the recycling stream, complicating the process and potentially increasing waste if contaminated batches are rejected.
- Misleading Claims and Greenwashing: Greenwashing is the misleading use of the term “biodegradable” to deceive consumers into believing a product is more eco-friendly, undermining environmental efforts.
- Variable Decomposition Rates: Biodegradable materials’ decomposition rates vary significantly, causing confusion and mismanagement of waste, with some materials persisting longer than expected due to inconsistencies in environmental conditions and composition.
What makes compostable different?
Compostable materials represent a specific category of biodegradable materials designed to break down into non-toxic components—carbon dioxide, water, and biomass—within a relatively short period, under the right composting conditions. These materials are often considered a green alternative to traditional plastics and non-degradable materials. Let’s delve into the advantages and challenges of compostable materials to better understand their role in sustainable practices.
The Upside and Downside of Compostables
Pros of Compostables
- Environmentally Friendly Disposal: Proper composting in facilities breaks down compostable materials into harmless organic matter, enriching the soil and reducing the environmental impact of conventional plastics that can linger for centuries.
- Reduction in Landfill Waste: Composting materials instead of landfilling can significantly decrease waste volume, contributing to landfill overflow and environmental issues like leachate and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Supports Soil Health: Composting produces nutrient-rich soil amendment, supporting plant growth and health, reducing chemical fertilizer use, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
- Promotes Sustainable Practices: Compostable materials can promote sustainable practices, reducing waste and increasing awareness about composting among individuals and businesses.
- Encourages Innovation in Materials Science: The increasing demand for compostable materials drives materials science innovation, resulting in the creation of eco-friendly materials that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and carbon footprints.
Cons of Compostables
- Need for Industrial Composting Facilities: Compostable materials require high temperatures in industrial composting facilities to fully decompose, potentially slowing down their decomposition rate compared to regular plastics in landfills.
- Confusion Among Consumers: The confusion surrounding compostable and biodegradable materials can lead to incorrect disposal, potentially compromising the environmental benefits of compostable materials.
- Limited Availability and Higher Costs: Compostable materials can be more expensive and less accessible than non-compostable alternatives, which can hinder their widespread adoption.
- Risk of Contamination: Proper waste management and education systems are crucial to ensuring proper disposal of compostable materials, as they cannot be processed with conventional plastics.
- Misleading Labels and Greenwashing: Certain compostable products may require specific conditions not achievable in typical home composting systems, potentially causing consumer mistrust and environmental harm if not properly disposed of.
Why the Distinction Matters
- Biodegradable vs. Compostable: Understanding the distinction is essential for environmental responsibility. Biodegradable items naturally break down over time, while compostable ones do so under specific conditions into non-toxic, nutrient-rich compost.
- Disposal Matters: Compostable items require specific conditions for proper decomposition, and improper disposal in landfills hinders their proper decomposition.
- Risk of Contamination: Adding biodegradable materials to compost piles can be problematic. Unlike compostable items, biodegradables may not break down efficiently in a compost setting and could release harmful substances.
- Mislabeling Issues: Mislabeling compostable and biodegradable products can lead to improper disposal practices, causing harmful substances to be released. Proper labeling and education are crucial for environmental protection.
- Informed Decisions: Knowledge of the correct disposal methods for biodegradable and compostable products is vital for maximizing their eco-friendly potential and avoiding unintended environmental impacts.
Navigating Certifications and Claims
With greenwashing rampant, it’s essential to look for certifications that back up environmental claims. For compostables, certifications from reputable organizations like the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) in the U.S. or TÜV Austria’s OK Compost mark ensure that products meet strict composting standards. Biodegradable products, on the other hand, are trickier to navigate due to the lack of universally accepted standards and certifications.
Making Eco-friendly Choices
So, what can you, as a consumer, do? First, prioritize reducing waste and reusing items over disposable alternatives. When disposables are necessary, opt for compostable over merely biodegradable, and ensure you have access to proper composting facilities. Educate yourself on local waste management practices and support policies and programs that promote composting and other sustainable practices.
Closing Thoughts
As we strive for a more sustainable future, understanding the nuances between biodegradable and compostable materials becomes increasingly important. By making informed choices and advocating for clear labeling and robust waste management infrastructure, we can help ensure that these materials fulfill their promise of reducing our environmental impact.
Remember, the goal is to leave a lighter footprint on the planet, and every small step we take in understanding and acting on the differences between biodegradable and compostable items pushes us closer to this objective.
