The fact that you are reading this shows you are a responsible and ethical business owner or Manager but we appreciate that navigating all the eco-terms and avoiding the green washing is a massive challenge , so we have created this explainer to explain the differences and what the terms really mean.
Biodegradable vs Compostable is there any difference?
There are huge differences between the two and looking at the definitions of both shows you the huge differences
This is the UK Governments definition of Biodegradable ( bear with us as it may be dull but it all helps).
The problem with this definition is that it doesn’t tell us anything about decomposition time (how long it takes to break down) or it’s toxicity (the environmental damage it does) , so compare this to composting (we haven’t used the UK Government definition as it’s a bit of a mess).
Compostable packaging needs to verifies that break down safely in composting facilities (industrial) or home composts without leaving toxic residue. Key standards include EN 13432/14995 (Europe) and ASTM D6400/D6868 (North America), verified by labels like BPI, OK Compost.
So the difference is that compostable is certified and tested to make certain it not only doesn’t damage the environment but actually benefits it when it turns into nutrient rich compost which in turn can be used to replace chemical fertilisers, so it’s not only a positive solution but if composted can be completely circular ( comes from plants and can be used to grow more plants).
Recycling vs Compostable which is better?
While "recyclable" is a term often used as an environmental solution we often hear it has its downside as it requires massive amounts of energy and can be easily derailed by a single bit of food residue on a container.
And not all materials are the same there is a reason The Pure Option doesn’t make a replacement for tin and glass, and that’s because these are the best materials for their usages as they can be recycled over and over without any long term environmental damage, whereas plastics can only be recycled so many times (typically 4 times) until you have to keep adding virgin (new) material and then when it can’t be recycled it has to be incinerated to stop it contaminating the earth ( so obviously not a good thing).
So, in contrast, composting is the only guaranteed system that adds positively to the environment.
|
Recyclable vs Compostable Comparison |
||
|
Feature |
Recyclable Packaging |
Compostable Packaging |
|
Source Material |
Often made from "dead dinosaurs" (fossil fuels). |
Made from renewable plants like corn, sugarcane, and wood pulp. |
|
Environmental Impact |
Requires massive energy to process. |
Adds nutrients back to the soil, restoring health. |
|
Food Residue |
A single bit of food can "derail" the entire recycling process. |
Food residue is a bonus! It all breaks down together. |
|
Microplastics |
Can eventually break down into persistent pollutants. |
Breaks down naturally without leaving toxic microplastics behind. |
|
The "End Life" |
Most plastics can only be recycled about 4 times before they must be burned. |
Completely circular; it comes from plants and helps grow new plants. |
|
Certification |
Often lacks clear standards for environmental "safety". |
Strictly tested and certified (Look for EN 13432). |
So, is a bio plastic the same as a normal plastic?
Certain materials like PLA (which comes from corn) are designed to do the same job as petrol-based plastics like PET and PP, but the key difference is, what they are made of.
If we look at a PET deli container, the container isn’t the issue , what it’s made of is the issue , so basically the PLA container is made the same but instead of using dead dinos (petrol) they are made using corn which when it breaks down turns into compost in the same way corn would.
We should add something here which is that PLA will break down over time but in order for it to do it quickly it needs a lot of heat and that requires commercial composting, we have tested them in home composters and they do break down but in some cases (depending on weather and health of composter) it can take years , whereas in a commercial composter it takes under 13 weeks.
So, what are the key benefits of compostable packaging
When we choose packaging from companies like us (The Pure Option), we are participating in a circular economy. Unlike traditional plastics, which are derived from "dead dinosaurs" (fossil fuels) and can linger in our oceans and landfills for centuries, plant-based packaging is made from renewable resources like sugarcane bagasse, corn starch, and wood pulp.
By making this switch, you are:
- Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependency: Choosing plant-based compostable materials keeps the dinosaurs in the ground or under oceans where they should be.
- Lowering Your Carbon Footprint: Plants capture CO2 as they grow, meaning the raw materials for your packaging help the planet "breathe".
- Eliminating Microplastics: Microplastics in our food chain. Plant-based materials break down without leaving behind these persistent pollutants.
Why Compostable is the real planet friendly option
When a product is certified compostable (look for the EN13432 standard used by The Pure Option), it isn't just "disappearing"—it is transforming. As it breaks down, it turns into nutrient-rich organic matter.
This compost:
- Restores Soil Health: It feeds the microbes and fungi that make our soil fertile.
- Sequesters Carbon: Healthy soil acts as a massive carbon sink, pulling CO2 out of the atmosphere and locking it safely underground.
- Supports New Life: The very packaging that held your takeaway food today could be the nutrients that help grow next year’s crop.
- Reduces Chemicals: If the UK moved to plant-based packaging we could replace the need for chemical-based fertilisers.
To explore Europe’s largest range of 100% plant-based, plastic-free packaging, visit The Pure Option and join the movement toward a greener, anxiety-free future.
Updated
27/02/26
