OK Compost HOME Certification (Home Compostable) Guide
Table of Contents
If you see OK Compost HOME on a bag, it means the product is designed to break down in a home compost environment—like a backyard compost pile.
But this label does not mean the bag will break down everywhere. It has a clear scope and clear limits.
This guide explains what OK Compost HOME certification means, when it is suitable for bin liners, and when it is not.
What Is OK Compost HOME?
OK Compost HOME is a third-party certification program from TÜV Austria for products that can degrade in home composting conditions.
Home composting is usually cooler and less controlled than industrial composting. That is why this certification is different from industrial composting standards.
Learn the full OK Compost system here: OK Compost Certification: Home & Industrial Guide for Brands and Buyers
What Does OK Compost HOME Test?
OK Compost HOME focuses on whether a material can:
- Disintegrate into small pieces in home compost conditions
- Biodegrade over time at lower temperatures
- Meet limits on heavy metals and safety requirements
Some published summaries of the program commonly describe targets like:
High disintegration within months and high biodegradation within a year under defined home-compost test conditions.
(Note: exact test details can vary by program rules and product thickness limits.)
What “Home Composting Conditions” Really Means
Home composting is not a machine-controlled system.
In a typical backyard compost pile:
- Temperature is usually lower and changes with weather
- Moisture can be too dry or too wet
- Airflow depends on turning and pile size
- Breakdown can be slow if the pile is cold or inactive
This is why a “home compostable” product may still take time, especially in winter or in small compost piles.
Suitable Uses
OK Compost HOME is usually suitable when:
- The bag is used in a home kitchen caddy and then added to a backyard compost pile
- The user has an active compost system (good moisture, some turning, enough volume)
- The product is clearly labeled OK Compost HOME and used as directed
Examples:
- Small food scrap liners for home compost
- Home compostable film products (where accepted by the compost setup)
Not Suitable Uses
OK Compost HOME is not automatically suitable for these cases:
- Municipal organics programs (most curbside systems)
Many municipal systems are designed for industrial composting rules, not home composting. - Landfill disposal
Home compostable does not mean it will break down well in landfill. Landfill conditions are often low oxygen and not composting. (If you have this page already, link it from your Hub or Certifications section.) - Assuming “plant-based” equals compostable
A product can be plant-based and still not be compostable unless it meets recognized certification standards.
See the bigger standards map here: Compostable Certifications Overview
OK Compost HOME vs OK Compost INDUSTRIAL (Quick Comparison)
A simple way to think about it:
- HOME: designed for lower temperature, less controlled composting
- INDUSTRIAL: designed for high temperature, controlled composting facilities
If your bin liners are mainly for municipal food waste collection, INDUSTRIAL is often the more relevant certification type.
Read the full industrial guide here: OK Compost INDUSTRIAL Certification Guide
Common Misunderstandings (Why It Didn’t Break Down)
People often say: “I put a compostable bag in my compost and it stayed there.”
This can happen when:
- The compost pile is too cold
- The pile is too dry
- There is not enough airflow
- The bag is buried in a low-activity zone
- The compost system is not managed regularly
Reddit and community forums show many examples where “compostable” products did not change for months in weak backyard compost conditions.
That does not always mean the certification is fake—it may mean the compost environment was not active enough.
How Brands and Buyers Should Communicate OK Compost HOME
For clear and compliant communication:
- Say “OK Compost HOME certified” (not just “eco” or “plant-based”)
- Explain the intended disposal: home compost only
- Avoid implying it breaks down in landfill
- Provide simple user guidance (keep compost moist, active, and aerated)
This reduces confusion and helps prevent greenwashing risk.
Conclusion
OK Compost HOME certification means a product is designed to break down in home composting conditions.
It is a strong signal for backyard compost use—but it has limits. For municipal systems, buyers should also check industrial composting certifications and local acceptance rules.
Go back to the main guide: OK Compost Certification: Home & Industrial Guide for Brands and Buyers
