In the face of escalating environmental pollution, the demand for eco-friendly products is on the rise. Along with this trend, various terms related to material decomposition, such as biodegradable, compostable, degradable, and oxo-degradable, have emerged. However, not everyone fully understands their meanings and differences. This article will clarify these concepts, helping you make informed choices for your daily life.
- Biodegradable: This term refers to a material’s ability to break down into natural substances like carbon dioxide, water, and biomass under the influence of microorganisms in specific environmental conditions. However, the decomposition process can take a long time and may not always be complete.
- Compostable: Stricter than biodegradable, compostable materials must completely break down in industrial or home composting environments, producing nutrient-rich compost for the soil. To earn a compostable certification, products must meet stringent standards regarding decomposition time, composition, and environmental impact.
- Degradable: A more general term, degradable simply refers to a material’s ability to break down into smaller fragments. However, this process may not be complete, and the resulting fragments could still pollute the environment.
- Oxo-degradable: This refers to conventional plastics that include additives to accelerate degradation. However, this process only breaks the plastic into smaller pieces without fully decomposing it. In reality, these microplastic fragments persist in the environment, causing significant harm.
All AnEco products from An Phat Bioplastics are certified compostable, ensuring complete decomposition with no harm to the environment. We not only provide eco-friendly products but also strive to raise community awareness about the importance of environmental protection.
Reference: bioplasticsnews. (April 13, 2019). What is the Difference Between Biodegradable, Compostable and OXO Biodegradable?