Are Compostable Plastics Recyclable?
Short answer: No.
Compostable plastics are not recyclable and should never be placed in plastic recycling bins.
Although compostable plastics may look similar to conventional plastic, they are made from different materials and are processed in completely different waste systems. Mixing compostable plastics into recycling streams causes contamination and reduces recycling quality.
This page explains why compostable plastics are not recyclable, what happens if they enter recycling systems, and where they should go instead.
Why Compostable Plastics Are Not Recyclable
Recycling systems are designed to process specific plastic types with known melting points, chemical structures, and mechanical properties.
Compostable plastics do not meet these requirements.
Different material systems
Most compostable plastics are made from biopolymers such as PLA or blended compostable materials. These materials behave very differently from conventional plastics like PE or PP during recycling.
When compostable plastics are mixed into recycling streams, they can:
- Melt at different temperatures
- Weaken recycled plastic products
- Reduce the quality of recycled pellets
- Cause entire batches to be rejected
For this reason, recycling facilities treat compostable plastics as contaminants, not recyclable inputs.
What Happens If Compostable Plastics Go Into Recycling Bins?
If compostable plastics are placed in recycling bins:
Sorting systems cannot reliably identify them
Most material recovery facilities (MRFs) cannot distinguish compostable plastics from conventional plastics at scale.They contaminate recycling streams
Even small amounts of compostable material can compromise recycled plastic quality.Loads may be rejected or downgraded
Contaminated recycling loads are often sent to landfill or incineration.
This is why many councils and recycling authorities explicitly instruct residents not to place compostable plastics in recycling bins, even if the product is labeled “eco-friendly” or “plant-based”.
Compostable vs Recyclable: Different Systems, Different Goals
A common misconception is that compostable plastics are a type of recyclable plastic. This is incorrect.
- Recyclable plastics are designed to be reprocessed into new plastic products.
- Compostable plastics are designed to break down biologically under composting conditions.
These systems are not interchangeable.
To understand the broader definition, see What Is Compostable? (Official Definition)
Where Should Compostable Plastics Go Instead?
If compostable plastics do not belong in recycling bins, where should they go?
1. Industrial composting (preferred, where available)
Most certified compostable plastics are designed for industrial composting facilities, which operate at sustained high temperatures and controlled conditions.
These facilities can process:
Certified compostable packaging
Compostable bags and films
Food waste together with compostable liners
For system differences, see Home Composting vs Industrial Composting
2. Organics / FOGO bins (only if accepted locally)
In some regions, certified compostable plastics may be accepted in organics or FOGO systems—but only if the local council and composting facility allow them.
Acceptance rules vary by location.For Australia-specific rules, see Australia Council Compostable Bag Requirements by State
3. General waste (when composting is not available)
If industrial composting or organics collection is not available, compostable plastics usually end up in general waste.
While this is not ideal, placing compostable plastics into recycling bins causes more harm by contaminating recycling systems.To learn what happens next, see Do Compostable Plastics Break Down in Landfills?
Why Labels Cause Confusion
Many compostable products are labeled with terms such as:
- “Eco-friendly”
- “Plant-based”
- “Biodegradable”
- “Compostable”
Without clear certification and disposal guidance, these labels often mislead users into placing compostable plastics in recycling bins.
To avoid confusion, see How to Identify Genuine Compostable Products
Key Takeaways
- Compostable plastics are not recyclable
- They contaminate plastic recycling streams
- Recycling facilities cannot process compostable materials
- Compostable plastics should go to industrial composting, approved organics systems, or general waste
- Correct disposal depends on local waste infrastructure, not packaging claims
Understanding these boundaries helps reduce contamination and protects recycling systems.
Related Knowledge Pages
FAQ
No. Compostable plastics are not recyclable and contaminate recycling streams.
No. They should never be placed in plastic recycling bins.
Because compostable materials have different chemical and thermal properties that damage recycled plastic quality.
Ideally in industrial composting facilities, or in organics/FOGO bins if locally accepted. Otherwise, general waste is safer than recycling.
Only when they enter the correct composting system. Incorrect disposal removes most environmental benefits.
