You have surely heard of them and maybe thought they were synonymous, but beware the two words have profoundly different meanings.
Biodegradable is a material that degrades by microorganisms into simpler natural substances, such as water, methane, carbon dioxide and biomass (organic matter).
Compostable is a material that under specific and man-made conditions, such as very high and ventilated temperatures, produces compost used in agriculture to feed plants (according to UNI EN 13432).
Compostable materials can therefore be disposed of in the wet, unlike the biodegradable ones that can be transferred in plastic or undifferentiated.
But be careful, if you throw a compostable or biodegradable plastic bag on a lawn this will not dissolve as if by magic, but it can take years to “disappear”.
Remember, therefore, even biodegradable and compostable plastics must be disposed of and differentiated correctly according to the indications of your municipality!
Keep it in mind, Biodegradable does not mean that it is also Compostable and if you want to throw it in the damp check that it is a packaging that complies with the UNI EN 13432 standard.
If you have any doubts comment and let us know what you think, we will respond to your concerns.
