BIODEGRADE THIS: Twelve Traps in Eco Marketing


If “eco” copy were a sport, half the market would be Olympic-level vague. Here’s your no-drama decoder: the 12 phrases that set off my internal klaxon—plus what acceptable proof looks like.

1) “Biodegradable”

Why it’s sus: Unqualified “biodegradable” claims are a legal booby trap. In the U.S., the FTC says you can only use it if the entire item completely breaks down within about one year after customary disposal—which usually means a landfill where that won’t happen. California flat-out bans the term on plastics. (Federal Trade Commission, Legislative Information California)


Ask for instead: A certified compostable claim tied to a standard (ASTM D6400/D6868 or EN 13432) and the program name (e.g., BPI, OK compost). (BPIWorld, okcert.tuvaustria.com)

2) “Degrades in landfill”

Why it’s sus: Landfills are anaerobic. If something does break down there, it can generate methane—the climate gremlin. FTC treats broad “degradable in landfill” claims as deceptive unless you prove complete breakdown within a year (good luck). (Federal Trade Commission)


Ask for instead: Don’t market landfill “degradation.” Guide people to industrial composting where accepted or to trash if no program exists (to avoid contaminating recycling). (How2Recycle)

3) “Compostable” (full stop)

Why it’s sus: If a product is only industrially compostable, say so—clearly. Regulators have smacked brands whose home-use context implies backyard composting (see UK coffee pod rulings). (asa.org.uk, The Guardian)


Ask for instead: “Commercially compostable where accepted. Certified by BPI to ASTM D6400/D6868.” Include a program finder or local guidance. (How2Recycle)

4) “Home compostable” (no receipts)

Why it’s sus: Home compost runs cool and slow. The credible route is a third-party OK compost HOME (TÜV Austria) mark; the U.S. has no national home-compost certification equivalent. (en.tuv.at)


Ask for instead: Show the OK compost HOME certificate (or AS 5810 in AU/NZ) and the certificate number. (okcert.tuvaustria.com)

5) “Plant-based” / “Made from cornstarch”


Why it’s sus: Biobased ≠ compostable. USDA’s BioPreferred program measures carbon origin, not end-of-life performance. Fossil-based plastics can be compostable; plant-based can be non-compostable. (Ecology Apps)

Ask for instead: End-of-life claims tied to ASTM D6400/D6868 or EN 13432, plus certification. (BPIWorld)

6) “Eco-friendly,” “green,” “natural”

Why it’s sus: In the EU, newly adopted consumer rules ban generic environmental claims unless you can prove recognised excellent environmental performance (think EU Ecolabel). It’s meant to kill the vibe of fuzzy buzzwords. (EUR-Lex, Environment)


Ask for instead: Specific, verifiable claims (“BPI-certified to ASTM D6400”) with scope and limits.

7) “Oxo-biodegradable”

Why it’s sus: The EU banned oxo-degradable plastics (additives that fragment but don’t fully biodegrade as claimed). If you still see this term, your red flag should be neon. (EUR-Lex)


Ask for instead: A real compostability certification (EN 13432 / ASTM D6400) from a recognised body. (okcert.tuvaustria.com)

8) “Proven biodegradable—ASTM D5511”

Why it’s sus: Marketers have been dinged for using ASTM D5511 (accelerated anaerobic test) to imply landfill breakdown. FTC actions say you can’t stretch lab results beyond the actual disposal environment. (packaginglaw.com, Federal Trade Commission)


Ask for instead: Substantiation that matches where the product actually goes (industrial compost test for items destined for composting). (Federal Trade Commission)

9) “Marine-biodegradable”

Why it’s sus: There are certifications (e.g., OK biodegradable MARINE) and tests (ASTM D6691), but the bar is high and scope is narrow. If someone’s using this as a halo for general use, be wary. (be.tuvaustria.com, ASTM International | ASTM)



Ask for instead: The exact certification name/number and tested conditions—no vague “ocean-safe” claims. (okcert.tuvaustria.com)

10) “Plastic-free”

Why it’s sus: If there’s any polymer coating/liner, you’ll need strong evidence and clear context. UK regulators expect clear, specific substantiation for disposal-type claims and have tightened guidance on “green disposal.” (asa.org.uk)


Ask for instead: A materials breakdown and what happens at end-of-life, not just the aesthetic.

11) “Certified compostable” (but no details)

Why it’s sus: Without the scheme name + standard + cert ID, “certified” is just set dressing. The How2Compost label requires BPI certification—that’s the level of transparency to expect. (How2Recycle, GreenBlue)


Ask for instead: “BPI cert. #____ to ASTM D6400/D6868” or “OK compost INDUSTRIAL cert. #____ under EN 13432.” (okcert.tuvaustria.com)

12) “Compostable*” with microscopic asterisks

Why it’s sus: If the fine print hides that it’s industrial-only or not accepted locally, regulators will notice—like the ASA rulings against coffee pod ads implying home compostability. (asa.org.uk, The Guardian)


Ask for instead: A plain-English qualifier right next to the claim and a link to where it’s accepted. (How2Recycle)

Quick Audit Checklist (use before you buy or print labels)

  • Name the standard + certifier (e.g., “BPI to ASTM D6400,” “OK compost INDUSTRIAL under EN 13432”). (BPIWorld, okcert.tuvaustria.com)

  • State the pathway (home vs. industrial) and give disposal guidance (“commercially compostable where accepted”). (How2Recycle)

  • Avoid generic claims unless you’ve got recognised, third-party proof (EU rules). (EUR-Lex)

  • Don’t imply landfill magic; the FTC’s one-year rule makes broad “degradable” claims a non-starter. (Federal Trade Commission)

  • Match the test to the destination—no lab-only results stretched to real-world contexts. (packaginglaw.com)

A word for the scientists

Respect to the lab rats and polymer nerds dialing in PHA blends, tightening home-compost protocols, and cleaning up label chaos with verifiable marks. Progress is real; the hype needs guardrails.

Sources & further reading



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PLA or PLAme?

Image
Alright, alright, hold on a minute, my friends. I've heard some buzz about this polyactic acid, or PLA, and I gotta say, I'm skeptical. They say it's biodegradable and compostable, made from renewable resources and all that jazz. But is it really all it's cracked up to be, man? I mean, sure, it's clear and glossy, heat-resistant, and versatile. But what's the catch? And don't even get me started on the production process, man. I've heard it can be energy-intensive, which kinda defeats the purpose, don't you think? And let's not forget about the limited recycling options. Sure, it sounds good in theory, but is it really worth all the hype? Let's dig deeper and see what's really going on with this so-called wonder plastic. Pros: Biodegradable and compostable: PLA can be a biodegradable and compostable biopolymer, which means it could decompose under certain conditions and help reduce waste and pollution. That's a win for Mother Earth, ...
Read more

Gonzo Plastics: The Revolutionary Biopolymer that's PHA

Image
Hey, friends. Let's talk about something wild and groovy - polyhydroxyalkanoate, or PHA for short. It's a biopolymer made by funky bacteria and other tiny organisms, and it's got some serious potential to shake up the world of plastics. Unlike traditional plastics, PHA is biodegradable, non-toxic, and can be made from renewable sources. I'm talking about a serious game-changer, folks. Let's check out two producers of this eco-friendly marvel - Mango Materials and Bluepha. Mango Materials , out of sunny California, uses waste methane gas as a feedstock to make PHA. They've got some crazy technology that turns methane into PHA in a way that's cheap and scalable. And get this - Mango Materials' PHA can be used in a ton of applications, from packaging to 3D printing. It's the future, man. Now, let's take a closer look at Bluepha . This innovative company, based in China, uses a special bacteria strain to produce PHA. Bluepha's PHA is produced usi...
Read more

Bio-plastic Breaking It Down:

Image
Traditional Plastics: Non-biodegradable plastic is a type of plastic material that is designed to be long-lasting and resist degradation in the environment. Unlike biodegradable plastics, which are designed to break down into natural elements through the action of microorganisms, non-biodegradable plastics can persist in the environment for hundreds of years without breaking down. This can lead to a variety of environmental problems, such as littering, pollution, and harm to wildlife. Non-biodegradable plastics are commonly used in a wide range of products, including single-use packaging, bottles, and electronic devices, among others. While there are efforts to reduce the use of non-biodegradable plastics and promote more sustainable alternatives, their widespread use and durability make them a significant environmental challenge. Bio-Plastics: Bio-plastic is a type of plastic material that is made from renewable biomass sources, such as corn starch, sugarcane, or vegetable fats and oi...
Read more