Biodegradable & Compostable Knowledge Hub
Understand biodegradable and compostable materials, compostability standards, certification systems, disposal routes and common environmental claims.
This knowledge hub brings together ORIZON’s educational resources on terminology, composting conditions, waste systems and certification concepts.
Use the definition guides for terminology, the standards guides for technical requirements, and the comparison guides for understanding where different environmental claims apply.
Looking for a specific definition?
Core Definitions
Start here if you are new to biodegradable and compostable materials. These definition pages explain how the terms are defined and used, how claims may be regulated in different markets, and how they relate to waste and composting systems.
Rules & Boundaries: When Claims Apply
Not every environmental claim works in every waste system.
This section explains when compostable and biodegradable claims apply—and when they fail in real-world disposal environments.
These pages focus on system boundaries, not marketing language. They help readers understand what happens when materials enter landfills, recycling systems, composting facilities, or household waste streams.
Compostability Standards & Certification Systems
Compostability claims are evaluated against defined technical standards and, in many markets, verified through third-party certification programs.
The guides below explain the difference between standards, certification systems and conformity marks, including what they assess, where they are commonly used, and how certification claims should be interpreted.
- BPI compostable meaning – How BPI certification relates to ASTM D6400, commercial compostability and BPI’s separate home-compostability certification route
- EN 13432 compostable standard – Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation
- AS 4736 compostable standard – Requirements for commercially compostable plastics in Australia
- AS 5810 home compostable – Requirements for home-compostable plastics in Australia
OK compost HOME vs OK compost INDUSTRIAL
OK compost HOME and OK compost INDUSTRIAL are separate TÜV AUSTRIA certification schemes and conformity marks addressing different composting environments.
The guides below explain their intended composting conditions, certification scope and how the corresponding conformity marks should be interpreted.
Each guide focuses on definition, scope, and real-world acceptance, not certificate display.
See full certification comparison: OK Compost HOME vs INDUSTRIAL
Disposal Reality: Where Do These Materials Go?
Understanding definitions only matters if materials enter the correct waste system.
For practical guidance, see: how to dispose of compostable plastics
Common Questions & Misunderstandings
These questions frequently appear in buyer inquiries, waste guidelines, and AI search results:
- Is compostable plastic recyclable?
- Does biodegradable mean it will break down naturally anywhere?
- Can compostable plastics go in home compost bins?
- Does PLA decompose in soil or the ocean?
Each question is addressed in detail within the definition and standards pages linked above.
How This Knowledge Hub Is Structured
This hub is a reference system, not a product catalog.
Use definition pages for terminology, standards pages for technical requirements and certification context, and comparison pages to understand where different claims apply.
Finished-product claims should be supported by applicable evidence and considered together with certification scope, local waste infrastructure, facility acceptance and destination-market requirements.
