Home Composting vs Industrial Composting: Key Differences Explained
Home composting and industrial composting are not interchangeable systems.
Home composting operates at lower, inconsistent temperatures and can only handle limited organic waste.
Industrial composting uses controlled, high-temperature environments designed to process certified compostable packaging and food waste at scale.
Most compostable packaging and compostable bags are designed for controlled industrial composting environments, unless they are explicitly certified for home composting.
This page explains how composting systems differ, where compostable claims apply, and how these differences relate to recognized certification boundaries such as OK Compost HOME and OK Compost INDUSTRIAL.
What Is Composting?
Composting is a biological process in which microorganisms break down organic materials into nutrient-rich humus under controlled conditions.
Depending on scale, infrastructure, and operating conditions, composting systems are broadly divided into:
Home composting systems
Industrial (commercial) composting facilities
Each system has very different capabilities and limitations, especially when it comes to processing compostable plastics and compostable packaging.
These limitations are the reason compostability certifications specify whether a product is suitable for home or industrial composting.
What Is Home Composting?
Home composting refers to small-scale composting carried out in backyards, gardens, balconies, or household compost bins.
Typical home composting systems rely on:
Naturally occurring microorganisms
Moderate, fluctuating temperatures
Manual management of moisture and aeration
These systems are generally suitable for plant-based organic waste, such as:
Vegetable and fruit scraps
Coffee grounds and tea leaves
Garden and yard waste
Key limitations of home composting
Home composting systems have strict limitations that directly affect what they can process:
- Temperatures are too low and inconsistent for most compostable plastics
- Decomposition speed is slow and unpredictable
- Material breakdown depends heavily on user management
As a result, most compostable plastics and compostable packaging are not suitable for home composting, unless they are specifically certified for home composting under standards such as OK Compost HOME or AS 5810.
What Is Industrial (Commercial) Composting?
Industrial composting, also known as commercial composting, is conducted in professionally managed, centralized facilities.
These facilities are designed to process large volumes of organic waste from:
Households and apartments
Restaurants and supermarkets
Food processors and institutions
Municipal collection and FOGO programs
Industrial composting facilities use controlled systems such as:
In-vessel composting
Aerated static piles
Windrow composting
Why industrial composting can handle compostable packaging
Unlike home systems, industrial composting facilities can maintain:
- Sustained high temperatures (typically above 55 °C)
- Controlled moisture and aeration
- Consistent microbial activity
These conditions allow industrial composting systems to process:
- All food waste (including meat and dairy)
- Certified compostable packaging
- Certified compostable bags and films
This is why most compostable plastics are designed specifically for industrial composting, not backyard compost bins or natural environments.
Comparison: Home Composting vs Industrial Composting
| Feature | Home Composting | Industrial (Commercial) Composting |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | Small-scale, household-level | Large-scale, centralized facilities |
| Temperature | Low and inconsistent | Sustained high temperatures |
| Processing Speed | Slow, weeks to months or longer | Faster, typically completed within weeks |
| Accepted Materials | Plant-based food scraps and yard waste | All food waste + certified compostable plastics |
| Compostable Plastics | Generally not suitable | Designed to be accepted |
| User Effort | High (manual management required) | Low (handled by facility systems) |
| End Use | Home gardens | Agriculture, landscaping, soil restoration |
Compostable Packaging: Where the Boundary Applies
A common misconception is that “compostable” automatically means suitable for home composting.
This is incorrect.
Key rule
Unless a product is explicitly certified for home composting, compostable packaging should never be placed in home compost systems.
Most compostable bags, films, and packaging materials are:
- Industrial compostable
- Tested under controlled, high-temperature conditions
- Intended for municipal or commercial composting facilities
Placing industrial-compostable materials into home compost bins often results in incomplete breakdown, visible fragments, or rejection.
Certification Boundaries: Home vs Industrial Composting
Compostability is defined by certification standards, not marketing claims.
Common certification boundaries include:
OK Compost INDUSTRIAL — for professional composting facilities
OK Compost HOME — for backyard and household composting
EN 13432 — industrial composting standard in the EU
AS 4736 — industrial compostable plastics in Australia
AS 5810 — home compostable plastics in Australia
These certifications clearly define where a product can be composted and under what conditions.
Understanding these boundaries is essential for:
Waste acceptance decisions
Packaging compliance
Preventing contamination in composting systems
Why Home and Industrial Composting Are Not Interchangeable
Although both systems are called “composting,” they serve very different roles.
Home composting focuses on:
Small-scale organic recycling
Household waste reduction
Gardening and soil enrichment
Industrial composting focuses on:
Large-scale waste management
Processing complex organic waste streams
Accepting certified compostable packaging
Confusing these systems leads to:
Failed composting outcomes
Contaminated compost
Rejected waste loads
Loss of environmental benefit
Key Takeaways
- Home composting and industrial composting are not the same system
- Most compostable packaging is designed for industrial composting
- Only home-certified products should enter home compost bins
- Certification defines where compostable claims apply
Correctly matching materials to composting systems is essential for compliance, waste system performance, and real environmental outcomes.
Related Knowledge Pages
- What Is Compostable? (Official Definition)
- Biodegradable vs Compostable: Key Differences
- OK Compost HOME vs OK Compost INDUSTRIAL
- How to Identify Genuine Compostable Products
FAQ
No. Home composting and industrial composting operate under very different temperature, scale, and processing conditions and are not interchangeable.
Only if the product is explicitly certified for home composting. Most compostable plastics are designed for industrial composting facilities.
Because they need sustained high temperatures and controlled conditions that home compost systems cannot provide.
They often fail to break down completely and may contaminate the compost.
Certifications such as OK Compost HOME, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL, EN 13432, AS 5810, and AS 4736 define where compostable products can be processed.
Conclusion
Home composting and industrial composting serve different roles and operate under fundamentally different conditions.
Most compostable packaging and compostable bags are designed for controlled industrial composting environments, not backyard compost systems.
Only products explicitly certified for home composting should be placed in home compost bins.
Understanding composting system boundaries and certification requirements is essential for waste acceptance, regulatory compliance, and achieving real environmental outcomes.
