Are compostable bags a part of your daily use, and have you ever come across these certification marks?
Ecopro, an experienced compostable product producer, use two main formulas:
Home Compost: PBAT+PLA+CRONSTARCH
Commercial Compost: PBAT+PLA.
The TUV Home Compost and TUV Commercial Compost standards are currently only promulgated in the European market. These two standards also refer to the two different materials used in the Ecopro’s biodegradable product.
Home compostable product means you can place it in your home compost bin/back yard/natural environment, and it break down along with your organic waste, such as discarded fruit and vegetables. According to the TUV guideline, only the product that able to decompose under the natural environment without any man-made condition within 365 days could be certified as home compost product. However, the decompose time period is various depending on the decompose environment (Sunlight, bacteria, humidity), and it could be much shorter than the addressed date on the TUV guideline.
Industrial compostable product is able to decompose under the natural environment without man-made condition in more than 365 days according to the TUV guideline. Since it takes longer time to decompose in a natural environment, it would require specific conditions to break down quickly. Therefore, it is usually advised to decompose the industrial compost product under a man-made condition, such as decompose in waste management facility, compost bin with temp and humidity control, or adding chemicals to faster the process, so it is named industrial compost.
In the US market, bags are categorized as either Compostable or non-Compostable, certified under the BPI ASTM D6400 standard.
In the Australian market, people prefer products with AS5810& AS4736 (Worm Safe) certification. To obtain these certifications, you need to meet the following requirements:
*Minimum of 90% biodegradation of plastic materials within 180 days in compost
*Minimum of 90% of plastic materials should disintegrate into less than 2mm pieces in compost within 12 weeks
*No toxic effect of the resulting compost on plants and earthworms.
*Hazardous substances such as heavy metals should not be present above the maximum allowed levels.
*Plastic materials should contain more than 50% organic materials.
Due to the extreme and strict requirements of the AS5810& AS4736 (Worm Safe) standard, the test period of this standard is up to 12 months. Only products that meet the above standards can be printed with the ABA Seedling Composting Logo.
Understanding these certifications helps make informed choices about environmentally friendly bags. Being aware of these marks empowers consumers to select products aligned with their sustainability goals and supports environmentally conscious practices.
Therefore, next time you choose compostable bag products, please pay attention to what certifications correspond to your region, and always look for reliable suppliers like ECOPRO—it’s a small step towards a greener future!
Post time: Dec-07-2023
