Compostable Packaging
Packaging designed to break down in industrial or home composting conditions within a specified timeframe. Compostable packaging must meet EN 13432 standards and is not the same as biodegradable packaging.
Compostable packaging is packaging designed to biodegrade completely in composting conditions, producing only water, CO2, and biomass. It must meet the EN 13432 standard for industrial compostability or specific standards for home compostability.
Important distinctions:
- Industrial compostable — requires high temperatures in commercial composting facilities (50-60°C)
- Home compostable — breaks down at lower temperatures in garden compost heaps
- Biodegradable ≠ compostable — "biodegradable" is a less specific term with no timeframe
- Not recyclable — compostable packaging contaminates conventional recycling streams
Under pEPR, compostable packaging presents challenges. It is not recyclable through conventional streams, which may result in higher modulated fees. Most UK kerbside collections do not accept compostable packaging separately. Where compostable packaging is collected (e.g., with food waste), it needs appropriate infrastructure. Producers should carefully consider whether compostable is genuinely the best environmental choice versus designing for recyclability. See our compostable vs recyclable guide.
Related Terms
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Modulated Fees
Fee adjustments applied on top of base fees that reward recyclable packaging wit...
Recyclability
The practical ability of a packaging item to be collected, sorted, and reprocess...
Eco-Design
The practice of designing packaging with environmental considerations integrated...
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