What Does Compostable Mean?
Compostable means that a product is capable of disintegrating into natural elements by microbial digestion in a compost environment, leaving no toxicity in the soil. To go through a composting process, organic waste requires the right level of heat, water, and oxygen, this typically must occur in about 90 days. Compost has many beneficial uses, compostable products use less energy and water, release less harmful pollution than their conventional counterparts and it improves and fertilize soil. Compostable’ products are always biodegradable but not vice versa.
What Does Biodegradable Mean?
Biodegradable refers to the ability of materials to break down and return to nature. In order for packaging products or materials to qualify as biodegradable, they must completely break down and decompose into natural elements within a short time after disposal. Some companies advertise their products as merely biodegradable. This is not necessarily a good thing since nearly everything will biodegrade in 1000 years!’’