Sustainability Language

Circular Economy & Materials

Compostable

A certified claim that a material will biodegrade and disintegrate into compost under specified composting conditions within set timeframes.

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Definition

'Compostable' means a material meets test-standard requirements to biodegrade, disintegrate and leave non-toxic compost: under EN 13432 (EU) and ASTM D6400/D6868 (US), at least 90% of the material must biodegrade within six months, fragments must pass a 2 mm sieve after twelve weeks, and limits apply to heavy metals and ecotoxicity. These standards assume industrial composting at 55–70°C; separate schemes (e.g. OK Compost HOME, AS 5810) certify home compostability.

References

Verive

EN 13432 requirements; certification marks

Jadex

EN 13432/ASTM D6400 landscape; composting conditions

Overview

What it means

Compostable is a narrower, certified claim than 'biodegradable', which has no fixed timeframe or conditions.

How it is used

In the EU, packaging may only be marketed as compostable if it conforms to EN 13432; certification marks (Seedling logo, BPI) signal conformity.

Why it matters

Compostables work only where collection and industrial composting exist; sent to landfill or nature, they persist — a standing greenwashing and contamination risk.

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