In this article, we'll cover:
- What does home compostable mean?
- What does commercially compostable mean?
- Key differences between home and commercial compost settings
- What materials can you compost at home?
- What materials can you compost at industrial composting facilities?
- Is there a home compostable certification?
What does home compostable mean?
Food and drink packaging and other products that are labeled as "home compostable" can break down naturally in a home composting environment without the need for industrial intervention.
Home compost settings, including backyard piles and tumblers, typically generate lower temperatures (around 50-65°C or 122-149°F) and work under more variable conditions than commercial composting.
Different conditions can prolong the decomposition process. These include inconsistent heat, varying moisture levels, and different types of microbes. Home compostable products are made to break down in about 6 to 12 months, depending on the conditions in the home compost pile, like temperature, moisture, and airflow.
What does commercially compostable mean?
Materials labeled as "commercially compostable" require the specific conditions found in industrial composting facilities to break down properly.
Commercial composting facilities maintain higher and more controlled temperatures, usually between 55-70°C (131-158°F). They also better manage moisture and provide good aeration, which helps speed up the breakdown of organic matter. The higher temperatures also help kill pathogens and break down tougher materials.
In a commercial facility, these materials usually break down in a few weeks to a few months, depending on the type of material and the composting method used. Static pile composting and window composting are common methods.
What are the key differences between home and commercial compost settings?
We have examined the definitions of home compostable and commercially compostable. Knowing the difference is important for disposing of compostable products correctly. This helps reduce our impact on the environment. To summarize, here are the key differences between the two composting methods:
- Temperature Requirements - Home compostable materials can break down at lower and less steady temperatures in backyard compost heaps. In contrast, commercially compostable materials need the high and stable temperatures found in industrial composting.
- Time for Decomposition - Home composting takes longer due to less controlled conditions. In contrast, industrial composting speeds up the process with optimized environments.
- Facilities - You can compost at home in a small backyard or bin. However, commercially compostable items must go to special composting facilities. These facilities may not be available in every area. Search for compost services near you to find out what is available.
- Materials - Many items can break down at home. However, some products, packaging, and supplies can only break down in commercial facilities. See below for more information.
- Environmental Impact - Home compostable materials are flexible and can be managed at home. This makes them easy for people who want to reduce waste. However, commercially compostable products often need special collection programs, and if they end up in landfills or home composting, they may not break down as intended. Despite this, there are still upstream benefits of compostable products to consider.
What materials can you compost at home?
You can compost two main types of materials at home: "greens" and "browns." "Greens" are nitrogen-rich materials, while "browns" are carbon-rich materials. A good balance of these materials, along with air and moisture, is essential for effective composting.
What are "Greens" in Composting?
These are materials that are rich in nitrogen and help with the breakdown of organic matter. They tend to be moist and fresh and can include:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps - Peels, cores, and other leftover pieces of fruits and veggies.
- Coffee grounds - Used coffee grounds are an excellent source of nitrogen.
- Tea bags and loose tea leaves - Most tea leaves are compostable, but ensure the tea bags don't contain plastic.
- Grass clippings - You can compost fresh lawn clippings, but mix them with browns to prevent clumping and odor.
- Fresh leaves - Green, fresh leaves can be added to the compost pile.
- Plant trimmings - Non-woody plant materials, such as pruned green stems and leaves.
- Eggshells - Although not high in nitrogen, they break down over time and add calcium to the compost. It's best to crush them first.
- Manure - Manure from herbivores, such as rabbits, chickens, horses, and cows, can be composted. Avoid using manure from meat-eating animals like dogs and cats.
- Food scraps - Any plant-based food waste (like leftover grains, pasta, or bread), though in small amounts, as they can attract pests if overused.
What are "Browns" in Composting?
These materials provide carbon to balance the nitrogen from greens. They tend to be dry and woody.
- Dry leaves - Dead leaves collected in the fall are an excellent source of carbon.
- Cardboard and paper - You can compost shredded plain cardboard, paper bags, newspapers, and uncoated paper. This includes paper that has no glossy finishes or heavy ink
- Home compostable packaging - Certified compostable food and drink packaging and supplies including takeout containers, trash bags and liners, straws, plates and bowls. These can be made from materials like wheat straw fiber.
- Wood chips and sawdust - Small amounts of untreated wood chips or sawdust from non-treated wood.
- Twigs and small branches - You can add small, dry twigs and branches, but they may take longer to break down. It's best to break them into smaller pieces.
- Straw or hay - These can add bulk to your compost and help aerate it.
- Corn cobs and stalks: Though they break down slowly, they can be composted and provide good structure for the pile.
- Pine needles and cones - These are slower to decompose, but small amounts can be added.
- Shredded brown paper bags - Uncoated and plain brown paper bags are a good carbon source.
- Dry grass clippings - If the grass has dried out, it can be added as a brown material.
For optimal composting, aim for a balance of greens and browns. The easy ratio to follow is 1 to 1, 50% green compost and 50% brown compost. This balance helps ensure proper decomposition and prevents odors. See other, more surprising materials you can compost in our article about How Composting Works.
What materials can you compost at industrial composting facilities?
Commercial composting facilities can handle more types of materials than home composting setups. This is because they have controlled conditions. These conditions include higher temperatures, better airflow, and specialized equipment. This allows them to break down materials that would not easily decompose in a home composting environment.
Anything that you can compost at home can also be composted at a commercial or industrial facility. But, these facilities can process even more, including:
- Meat, bones, and fish scraps - Can attract pests and create odors in home composting. However, commercial facilities accept these materials. Their high temperatures can break them down effectively.
- Dairy products - Milk, cheese, and yogurt can spoil and smell when composted at home. However, they can be processed in commercial facilities.
- Fats, oils, and grease (in small amounts): Commercial composting systems can break down small amounts of fats and oils, unlike home systems.
- Food-soiled paper: Pizza boxes, paper towels, napkins, and paper plates contaminated with food are accepted because they break down easily in commercial systems.
- Processed foods: Baked goods, cooked rice, pasta, and other processed foods are also compostable in commercial setups.
- Certified compostable plastics: Bioplastics made from materials like polylactic acid (PLA) and other certified compostable plastics can break down in the higher heat and controlled conditions of commercial facilities.
Always check with your local facility to see what materials they accept. Policies can vary by region and facility capabilities.
Is there a home compostable certification?
When shopping for home compostable products in the United States, look for packaging with the OK compost HOME (TÜV Austria) certification. It is one of the most trusted standards for home compostability.
This certification ensures that the material will break down in a home compost environment. This usually happens at lower temperatures, between 20-30°C (68-86°F), compared to industrial composting facilities. The product must fully break down in a home compost bin or pile within 12 months. It should not leave any toxic residues. It also ensures that the compost created is safe for plants.
In Australia, the AS 5810-2010 standard certifies home compostable products. It is similar to the OK compost HOME certification and ensures that products will biodegrade in home compost conditions.
Across Europe and other countries, many people widely recognize the DIN-Geprüft Home Compostable certification, which DIN CERTCO manages. This certification is important for consumers who want to make eco-friendly choices. By choosing products that meet these standards, individuals can contribute to reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices.
When selecting home compostable products, it's important to look for these certifications on packaging. This way, you can be confident that the items you are using will break down effectively in your compost bin as greenwashing has become prevalent in the packaging industry.
By incorporating certified compostable products into your daily life and following composting best practices, you can play a significant role in reducing plastic pollution and supporting a healthier planet. Every small step counts, and together, we can make a big difference.
