Today, in a world where environmental sustainability is an issue of great concern, the demand for eco-friendly products has been on the rise. In discussions about sustainable products, two phrases pop up often; ‘compostable’ and ‘biodegradable.’ While these words might seem interchangeable there are significant differences between them. It is important to understand these differences because they can help consumers make informed choices that contribute to the environment positively. This blog post seeks to highlight the disparities between compostable and biodegradable materials, their impact on the environment, as well as how customers can choose sustainably.
What Does Compostable Mean?
Now let me define compostable by giving examples. A compostable material is something that can easily decay into its most basic forms within a given period particularly in a composting environment thus becoming nutrient-filled soil. Composting is a biological process where organic substances break down under the action of microorganisms, heat, and oxygen. These materials go through this process very fast and do not leave any harmful residues behind them after decomposition. This simply means that even if they decompose back into the earth such will not have any negative influence.
There are various kinds of compostable elements for instance certain kinds of plant-based plastics, paper products, food leftovers, and yard waste among others which can be broken down effectively either in home compositing piles or at a composting facility creating rich soil that is full of nutrients used in enhancing gardens as well as agricultural lands.
Understanding Biodegradability
Biodegradability refers to the natural breakdown of material over time by microorganisms into simpler substances like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Unlike non-composting conditions required for the complete decomposition of compostable items, biodegradable ones undergo decay under different environmental conditions like landfills, seas, and soils. However, the duration taken by this process differs with factors such as temperature, the presence of moisture, and the availability of oxygen.
It is important to note that not all biodegradable materials are compostable. However, not all biodegradable substances can be subjected to composting as a result they remain in non-nutrient-rich soils. In some cases of biodegradable plastics, for instance, these may get broken down into smaller bits eventually but still keep some residues that are deleterious and may persist on the ground.
Distinguishing Between Compostable and Biodegradable
The main difference between compostable and biodegradable products lies in what results from their decomposition process. Whereas compostable materials break down to become organic matter that enriches soil, biodegradable ones just decompose into smaller parts which may or may not be beneficial to the environment.
Let’s look at two scenarios to illustrate this point
Scenario 1: A compostable bag made from plant-based PLA (polylactic acid) is disposed of in a composting facility. The bag will eventually degrade completely under the right conditions such as heat, moisture, and oxygen making it become organic matter contributing to nutrient-rich compost that can be applied for the fertilization of soils.
Scenario 2: A biodegradable plastic bag ends up in a landfill site. Although with time it might decay into smaller pieces, unlike the above-mentioned compostable bag it does not go through similar kind of decaying processes. The breakdown of biodegradable plastics in landfills could also emit methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that causes climate change.
Environmental Impact
When it comes to the environment, compostable materials are usually seen as more sustainable than biodegradable materials. Composting not only diverts organic waste from our landfills but also helps in the mitigation of greenhouse gases by reducing methane release from anaerobic conditions. Also, composting improves the soil, and biodiversity promotion and reduces synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides dependency in agriculture.
But then again there is widespread use of biodegradable plastics, which has raised concerns about recycling stream contamination and confusion among consumers. Most biodegradable plastics need certain situations like industrial composting facilities or high temperatures for complete degradation that may not be readily available everywhere. Consequently, these substances eventually end up in incinerators or landfills where they contribute to pollution of the environment and exhaustion of resources.
Making Sustainable Choices
As a consumer, making sustainable choices involves considering products’ life cycle and their environmental footprint. Here are some things to think about when deciding between compostable and biodegradable options:
Certification: Look for third-party certifications like Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certification on compostable products; this assures that the stuff meets established standards in terms of environmental sustainability.
End-of-Life Management: Consider how you will dispose or recycle such products and whether your area has the necessary infrastructure such as composting facilities. Wherever possible, go for compostable items to aid in circular economy changeover.
Avoid Greenwashing: Be cautious with products claiming to be “eco-friendly” or “biodegradable” without elaborating on their composition and end-of-life management. It can mislead customers into unsustainable decisions.
Reduce and Reuse: In essence, the most sustainable choice would be to minimize usage volume while reusing anything reusable followed by recycling everything uncompostable or non-biodegradeable among them all. By minimizing waste generation we can lessen our environmental impact hence contributing towards a healthier planet.