What Does Compostable Actually Mean? A Clear Guide

Compostable means a product is certified to break down in specific composting conditions, verified against an independent standard. It doesn't mean it will break down anywhere, in any bin, in any timeframe. The certification mark tells you exactly which conditions it's been proven under.

Home composting versus industrial composting

Home composting happens in a garden compost bin or heap, at lower and less consistent temperatures. Industrial composting happens at a managed facility, at higher and controlled temperatures, which breaks materials down faster and more reliably.

A product certified for industrial composting only, marked with the TUV Austria OK compost industrial label, needs a managed facility, usually through a council food waste collection. It's not guaranteed to break down properly in a garden compost heap.

A product certified for both home and industrial composting, marked with both TUV Austria OK compost labels, will break down in either setting.

What EN13432 actually certifies

EN13432 is the European standard for industrial compostability of packaging. A product certified to this standard has been independently tested for how it breaks down, how quickly, and whether it leaves anything harmful behind.

Why compostable isn't the same as biodegradable

Biodegradable is an uncertified, unregulated term. Almost anything will eventually break down given enough time, that's not a meaningful claim on its own. Compostable is a certified claim, tied to a specific standard, a specific timeframe, and a specific testing body. That's the difference that actually matters.

Why the certification mark is the part to check

Anyone can print the word compostable on packaging. A genuine certification mark, TUV Austria OK compost or the EN13432 standard, means an independent body has actually tested the claim. If a product doesn't show one, that's worth asking about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put compostable packaging in my general recycling bin?

No. Compostable and recyclable are different end of life paths. Compostable items need a compost setting, home or industrial depending on the certification, not a recycling stream.

Does compostable mean it will disappear in landfill?

No. Landfill conditions don't provide the oxygen and temperature that composting needs, so compostable materials don't break down properly there either. Composting certification only applies to composting conditions.

What's the difference between TUV Austria OK compost home and industrial marks?

The home mark certifies a product breaks down in a standard garden compost bin. The industrial mark certifies it breaks down in a managed industrial facility. Some products carry both, some carry only one, and that difference matters for how you dispose of it.

See our full certified compostable range: shop compostable products.

By Julie Cook, Founder, Eco Green Living