As your business grows, it’s important to prioritize long-term sustainability. Not only is this necessary to meet environmental regulations, but it’s also part of being a responsible member of your community.
Some important components of environmental sustainability are developing an effective waste processing strategy and offering environmentally friendly products. Composting can be a very effective way to process some types of organic waste safely. Let’s take a look at how composting works, why it’s important, and how to assess the compostability of specific materials.
Compostability Definition
You’ve probably seen products labeled “compostable,” but what does this actually mean? In broad terms, compostability refers to an item’s ability to break down into compost under a set of specific conditions. Compost is a material that is very similar to fertile soil. In order for an item to be compostable, it must break down in a predefined time frame with specific temperature and humidity conditions without negatively impacting the quality of the resulting compost.
For an item to be fully compostable, it must meet specific thresholds for biodegradability, biodisintegration, and ecotoxicity testing. Biodegradability testing determines whether or not an item can break down into organic matter naturally when exposed to microorganisms. Biodisintegration is an important factor in the composting process in which an item physically breaks apart into smaller pieces. Ecotoxicity testing measures how an item impacts the environment around it and determines whether it is toxic or not.
What is the Difference Between Biodegradability and Compostability?
Biodegradability and compostability are two terms you’ll hear frequently when it comes to processing organic waste. But how are compostability and biodegradability different? Both terms refer to the breakdown of organic waste, but compostability refers to the specific capability of organic waste to be converted into viable compost under normal composting conditions .
So, what is biodegradability? A material that is biodegradable will decompose into base components such as carbon dioxide, water, and biomass when exposed to microorganisms in an appropriate environment. However, this does not mean that all biodegradable materials will sufficiently decompose during a normal composting process and result in healthy, viable compost.
In other words, all compostable materials are biodegradable (in a compost environment), but not all biodegradable materials are compostable. In order for a material to be compostable, it must not only biodegrade, but also sufficiently disintegrate during a normal composting process without leaving behind any harmful residues or having other negative impacts on the resulting compost’s quality. Compostability testing methods are designed to test all of these critical characteristics for various material types and composting conditions.
Which Compostability Standard Is Right for You?
When selecting a compostability standard, there are several factors to consider, including the nature of the material, the expected disposal environment, and the market in which the material will be placed.
The ASTM D6400 and AS 5810 standards were designed for the testing of plastic materials. The ASTM D6868 and EN 13432 were designed for packaging materials. These compostability standards may be applied to other types of materials, but special consideration should be given to ensure that the test design is appropriate for the material.
The ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868, and EN 13432 standards were designed to test materials that will be composted in an industrial or municipal composting facility, while the AS 5810 standard was designed to test materials that will be composed in home compost piles.
ASTM standards were designed for markets in the United States, EN standards were designed for markets in Europe, and AS standards were designed for markets in Australia; however, these standards are commonly accepted in or adapted for other outside markets.
What Can Be Considered Compostable?
There are a wide variety of compostable materials, both for individuals composting at home and organizations using industrial-grade compost systems. These include:
- Food scraps: Some food scraps are fully compostable. This includes eggshells, coffee grounds, and fruit and vegetable scraps. Meat, fish, and dairy scraps are compostable in industrial settings, although they typically don’t work well for at-home composting.
- Paper products: Many products made from 100% non-glossy paper are compostable. This includes sheets of paper and most paper bags, plates, and napkins; however, any paper product should be appropriately tested before being used in industrial or home composting.
- Yard waste: Leftover twigs, branches, and leaves will break down in compost. This makes composting a popular solution for large-scale landscaping and construction projects.
- Other plant-based products: Many eco-friendly household products are made from bamboo or other plants. In many cases, these products are fully compostable; however, all such products should be appropriately tested before being used in industrial or home composting.
- Other compostable plastics and packaging: Other plastic and packaging materials have been developed to be suitable for disposal in composting environments. Any such material should be appropriately tested before being used in industrial or home composting. It is also important to consider that the amount of these materials used when making compost should be limited. In fact, some industrial and municipal composting facilities will not accept these materials because of the challenges associated with successfully incorporating them into their composting process.
The Composting Process
Composting at home starts by collecting organic waste. Once you’ve collected the waste, you’ll need to place it in your composting environment to start the process. There are many commercially available and DIY composting bins that can be used to help with the composting process, but creating a compost pile can also be as simple as using an open area on bare ground. Begin by using a good mixture of carbon rich “browns” (twigs, dry leaves, etc.) and nitrogen-rich “greens” (kitchen scraps, yard clippings, etc.). It can also be beneficial to add a small amount of mature compost to help kickstart the composting process. The composting process can take several weeks to months, during which, you should make sure that the compost pile stays damp (but not soggy) and well aerated by occasionally turning the pile with a shovel, pitchfork, or another method.
During this process, naturally occurring microorganisms and fungi decompose the organic material into nutrient rich compost which can be used in many applications, including farming, gardening, and landscaping.
The industrial composting process is mostly the same as home composting but at a much larger scale. Collecting waste for industrial composting usually requires that compostable items be separated during your broader waste collection process. It is important to know what type of compostable materials the receiving facility is able to accept. In an industrial setting, compostable material is typically shredded before it’s added to large composting piles. Industrial compost piles can be up to 12 feet high, 12 feet wide, and hundreds of feet long! Industrial equipment is often used to rotate the compost piles several times weekly to ensure equal exposure to oxygen. Specific temperature, humidity, and light conditions are also maintained in the compost pile to ensure that the materials break down at a specific rate.
Industrial composting facilities also need to take measures to ensure that any contaminants and materials that are not decomposing quickly enough are removed from the compost piles. This is a major challenge for composting facilities and is why it is important to ensure that non-compostable materials are properly removed from organic waste during the collection process.
At the end of the composting process, samples of the compost are tested to ensure that it meets
regulatory requirements for compost quality and safety before being released or sold to the public.
5 Benefits of Composting for Your Business
Large-scale composting has many benefits for your business, your community, and the greater environment. Here are some reasons to consider implementing industrial composting and developing compostable products.
1. Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
One exciting environmental benefit of composting is that it can help lower greenhouse gas emissions. When organic waste is put in landfills, it results in methane emissions. However, when the same organic waste is processed via composting, exposure to oxygen prevents microbes from producing methane.
With methane being a major contributor to global warming, opting to compost can significantly reduce your negative impact on the environment. Scientists estimate that methane concentration in the atmosphere has increased more than double over the past two centuries, and this surge is responsible for 20 to 30% of overall climate warming since the mid-18th century.
2. Reduces Water Waste
Additionally, opting to compost can help minimize water waste in your community. This is because soil enriched with compost helps retain moisture, which means that agricultural operations will require less water to complete successfully.
3. Lowers Operational Costs
In some cases, composting can help organizations save money in the long term. Because composted soil is so rich in nutrients and helps retain water, it reduces the need for expensive fertilizers and frequent watering. Additionally, composting may be less expensive than other waste processing strategies.
4. Supports Healthy Soil and Plants
Industrial composting supports healthy soil and plants in your community. Because composted soil retains moisture more effectively, it helps prevent soil erosion. The nutrients in the soil also support healthier plants, which means that farmers will grow more high-quality crops.
5. Supports Sustainability Compliance
Depending on the industry you’re in and where you’re located, composting may be necessary to comply with sustainability regulations. For example, California has enacted stricter environmental laws than the US federal government, which means that some organizations in the state are required to compost. Composting can also help you meet industry-specific standards or qualify for certain sustainability specifications.
What Certifications are Available to Indicate Compostability?
There are many compostability certifications that indicate when a product has been tested and will compost safely in the right conditions. The organizations that provide these certifications include:
- RespirTek, Inc. offers certificates of compostability for materials that meet the requirements of the ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868, EN 13432, and AS 5810 standards.
- Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
The Future of Compostability
Over the past few decades, we’ve seen composting become a more mainstream solution for disposing of organic waste — both in businesses and private households. New technologies will likely continue to emerge that make composting even more effective and accessible in many different scenarios.
For example, we may see new composting technologies that rotate compost more effectively and reduce odors. Future composting technology will likely also focus on making composting viable in smaller spaces. This would allow many businesses to compost on-site rather than sending their waste to a third party and would make composting more accessible in urban environments. Finally, advanced compostability analysis will help manufacturers create a broader range of compostable products and monitor the performance of their compost more accurately, which may in turn necessitate innovation in handling a larger and more diverse compost waste stream.
Environmental Testing from RespirTek
RespirTek offers comprehensive environmental testing to help you develop and certify compostable products. In addition, we offer many other types of testing, including biodegradability testing, respirometry, flushability testing, and more.
Contact us today to learn more about our advanced compostability testing options.
