Compostable v Recyclable v Degradable/biodegradable

This helps a bit with definitions....

Compostable

In the UK, there are several different certifications, all of which all claim to set the best standard for 'compostable'. The most widely recognised is BS EN 13432's criteria, which among other elements sets times for how quickly packaging breaks down, and sets criteria for safe levels of chemicals in the end compost.

In addition, there is a home compostable standard, OK Compost, which sets safe levels for composting in your garden.

Essentially, being 'compostable' simply means packaging should break down safely into compost, in either the council's or your home composting facilities.

Recyclable

Recycling simply means using things that have already been used, to make new things.

So, it follows that being 'recyclable' makes it possible to turn old packaging into something new. For glass or cans, this is quite simple. The tricky thing is that a lot of packaging is plastic.

While it is technically possible to recycle most, if not all plastic polymers, the complexity and cost of doing so has prevented this happening in the past.

There are 4 main types of plastic; PET, HDPE, PP and PVC. Each packaging type will have a separate mark indicating the type of plastic, and hence how it should be recycled.

Although the recyclable mark may tell you that something can be recycled,  you should check whether your council actually does recycle it.

Degradable/biodegradable

Being degradable simply means that something will eventually decay, perhaps over many, many years. There are all kinds of different standards for degradability, but they are very different to being biodegradable.

When packaging is biodegradable, it can be broken down, so that the carbon atoms in the chains of the polymer are broken apart and can actually participate safely in the environment, or in the creation of other organic molecules, like our food, or in animals.

That sounds complex, but it just means biodegradable packaging can safely become part of the ecosystem as it naturally breaks down over time; biodegradable is the best environmental option of the two but it can still take many many years during which time it remains in the environment and is a hazard to wildlife.