Question 1

Are Biobags certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  
All Biobag bags, sacks, liners and films are independently certified for their intended environment. Depending on the product and market, this may include certification according to EN 13432, ASTM D6400 or AS 4736, as well as certifications from organisations such as TÜV AUSTRIA and BPI.
Biobag holds compostable and biodegradable certificates issued by several certification institutions like TÜV AUSTRIA (OK Compost), BPI (USA). Check the certification logo on the product to see whether it is certified for home composting, industrial composting or biodegradation in soil.

Question 2

What are Biobags made of?

Accepted Answer

Mater-Bi®.
Mater-Bi® is a family of biodegradable and compostable bioplastics made entirely or partly from renewable resources. It is developed using proprietary technologies based on starches, vegetable oils and their combinations. Mater-Bi® is certified according to recognised European and international standards. Read more about Mater-Bi® here.

Question 3

How do certified compostable bags differ from conventional plastic bags in terms of biodegradability?

Accepted Answer

Conventional plastic bags are commonly made from materials such as polyethylene, which microorganisms cannot readily biodegrade. Over time, conventional plastic may fragment into increasingly smaller pieces, including persistent microplastics, rather than being biologically converted into water, carbon dioxide and biomass.
Certified compostable bags made from Mater-Bi® are designed to biodegrade under the conditions specified by their certification. Depending on the product, this may be in an industrial composting facility or a home composting environment. With the right combination of microorganisms, moisture, oxygen and warmth, the material is converted into water, carbon dioxide and biomass without leaving persistent microplastics behind.
The difference lies in the chemical structure of the material. Naturally occurring microorganisms can use enzymes to break down certified compostable Mater-Bi® and use it as a source of energy. Conventional polyethylene does not biodegrade in the same way.

Question 4

Is there a risk that the bags could cause microplastics pollution?

Accepted Answer

No.
Certified compostable Biobags are designed to biodegrade during composting without leaving persistent microplastics behind. If small pieces are temporarily visible during the process, the material remains biodegradable and continues to be broken down by microorganisms under suitable conditions.
Our certifications verify biodegradation, disintegration and compost quality requirements within defined test conditions. Biobags should always be used and disposed of according to their certification and local waste guidelines.

Question 5

Why are certifications important?

Accepted Answer

Certifications provide independent confirmation that a product meets defined requirements for compostability or biodegradation in a specific environment. Depending on the certification, this may be industrial composting, home composting or biodegradation in soil. Each environment has different conditions, including temperature, moisture, microorganisms and processing time.
For consumers, certification logos provide clear information about where and how a product is designed to break down. They confirm that the product has been independently assessed against criteria such as biodegradation, disintegration and compost quality. Under the conditions specified by its certification, the material is converted into water, carbon dioxide and biomass without leaving persistent microplastics behind.

Question 6

Do Biobags contain conventional plastic?

Accepted Answer

No.
Biobag compostable bags are made from Mater-Bi®, a family of bioplastics developed using technologies based on starches, vegetable oils and their combinations. They are not made from conventional non-biodegradable plastics such as polyethylene.
The confusion often comes from the word “plastic.” Technically, plastic describes a material containing polymers that can be shaped into different forms. This means compostable materials such as Mater-Bi® are also classified as plastics.
The important difference is how the materials behave at the end of their intended use. Conventional polyethylene does not readily biodegrade and can fragment into persistent microplastics. Certified compostable Biobags are designed to biodegrade under the conditions specified by their certification, where they are converted into water, carbon dioxide and biomass without leaving persistent microplastics behind.

Question 7

Can Biobags contaminate the compost that is spread on the fields in agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Certified compostable Biobags are designed to biodegrade under the conditions specified by their certification without leaving persistent microplastics behind. Compostability certification includes requirements for biodegradation, disintegration and compost quality.
If small pieces remain visible after a treatment cycle, they are not the same as persistent fragments from conventional plastic. The Mater-Bi® material remains biodegradable and is designed to continue breaking down rather than persist as microplastics.
Actual processing conditions and treatment times can vary between facilities, so Biobags should always be used in accordance with their certification and the requirements of the local waste system.

Question 8

Under which conditions are the bags compostable and biodegradable?

Accepted Answer

Biobags require the right combination of moisture, warmth, oxygen and microorganisms to biodegrade. The exact conditions depend on the product and whether it is certified for home composting, industrial composting or biodegradation in soil. Always check the certification logo on the product for its intended environment.

Question 9

What is the shelf life of your bags?

Accepted Answer

All our compostable bags are designed not to last forever, that’s part of what makes them work. How long they last in storage depends on conditions, which is why we recommend keeping them in a cool, dry and dark place. Over time, compostable materials naturally become weaker, so there is no exact “best before” date. On average, Biobags have a shelf life of 12–18 months.
To help you monitor this, every Biobag has a production date printed on the bag. It’s shown as week/year (for example, 23/26 means it was produced in week 23 of 2026). This makes it easy to keep track of age and ensure the bags are used within their recommended timeframe.

Question 10

What is the difference between compostable and biodegradable?

Accepted Answer

A certified compostable material is biodegradable, but a biodegradable material is not necessarily compostable.
Biodegradable means that microorganisms can break down a material. However, the term alone does not explain how long the process takes, under which conditions it occurs or whether the material meets the additional requirements needed for composting.
Certified compostable products must meet defined requirements for biodegradation, disintegration and compost quality within specified conditions and timeframes. This is independently assessed according to the applicable standard or certification scheme.
That is why Biobag uses specific compostability claims rather than relying on the broader term “biodegradable.” All Biobag bags are independently certified as compostable for their intended composting environment.

Question 11

How long does it take for Biobags to break down, and at what temperature?

Accepted Answer

Under industrial composting conditions, Biobags are certified to break down within 180 days at controlled temperatures of around 60-70°C. These conditions are maintained in municipal composting facilities, where heat, airflow, moisture, and microbial activity work together to speed up the biodegradation process.
In practice, many Biobag products, especially those certified OK compost HOME, tend to break down faster in industrial systems, as they are designed to decompose efficiently under elevated temperatures and consistent processing.
For home composting, timing varies. Temperature, humidity, and how the compost is managed all influence the breakdown rate, so giving an exact timeframe isn’t possible. However, in a well-functioning home compost, Biobags generally decompose at a similar pace to organic materials like food scraps and garden waste.

Question 12

Is it responsible to use starch from food crops to produce bioplastics?

Accepted Answer

In 2024, approximately 0.624 million hectares were used to grow feedstock for bioplastics. This represented around 0.013 percent of the world’s 4.8 billion hectares of agricultural land. Responsible sourcing nevertheless remains important to avoid deforestation, poor agricultural practices and negative social impacts. The industry is also exploring greater use of agricultural residues, forestry byproducts and other waste materials. Read more about bioplastics and agricultural feedstock here.

Everyone & Everywhere

Why use a compostable bag at home?

Make sorting simple

Leave no persistent microplastics

Recover valuable resources

Reuse with purpose

Lead by example

Small Change. Big Impact.

Small changes made by many people, everywhere, make a big difference.

How to use compostable bags at home?

Compostable solutions for everyday life

Compostable products for everyday use, making it easier to sort waste at home and outdoors.

Caddy Liners

Container Liners

Food Waste Caddy

Pets & Outdoors

Heavy-Duty Bin Bags

Still Have Questions? We've Got Answers.

Stories, tools, and ideas to help you make an impact.

A side order of microplastics, anyone?

Nine reasons to choose compostable Biobags

The importance of good soil health

Get in touch