There has been considerable discussion about the role of certified compostable bags in organic-waste collection. Some concerns focus on whether the bags break down during treatment, while others question whether they help or hinder the collection process.
The German Association for Compostable Products, Verbund kompostierbare Produkte e.V., has argued that certified industrially compostable bags can support the separate collection of organic waste and help reduce contamination from conventional plastic bags.
These conclusions should be understood in context. The association represents the compostable-products sector, and the performance of any collection system depends on the bags used, local participation, the treatment technology and whether compostable bags are accepted by the facility.
Supporting food-waste collection
Evidence from individual collection trials and municipalities indicates that providing suitable compostable bags can make food-waste sorting more convenient and may increase participation.
Compostable bags can help keep kitchen caddies clean and make food-waste collection more hygienic. When used with a ventilated caddy, their breathability can also allow some moisture to evaporate. This may reduce condensation, odours and the weight of the collected food waste.
The results are not identical in every location. The design of the collection system, communication with residents, frequency of collection and treatment process all influence participation and the quality of the collected material.
Studies have also examined whether the use of certified compostable bags can help reduce conventional plastic contamination in separately collected organic waste. This is particularly relevant because fragments of conventional plastic that are not removed during treatment may remain in compost or digestate.
Why healthy soil matters
Soil develops slowly and can be damaged much faster than it is restored. Across the world, soils are under pressure from erosion, loss of organic matter, compaction, contamination, salinisation and declining biodiversity. Claims that the world has only a fixed number of harvests remaining or that all topsoil could disappear within 60 years are not supported strongly enough to be presented as established facts. What is clear is that soil degradation is already a serious challenge and that protecting soil requires long-term attention.
Organic waste can play a role when it is collected and treated correctly. Compost produced from suitable organic materials can return organic matter and nutrients to soil. It may also support soil structure, water retention and biological activity. The quality of that compost matters. Keeping conventional plastic and other unwanted materials out of organic-waste streams helps protect the quality of materials intended to return to agricultural land.
The importance of life beneath our feet
Healthy soil contains a diverse community of organisms, including bacteria, fungi and many other forms of life. Together, they help decompose organic matter, cycle nutrients and support plant growth.
Soil health depends on more than the number of microorganisms present. Its structure, organic-matter content, nutrient balance, moisture, pH and management history all play a role.
Agricultural practices such as maintaining soil cover, using appropriate crop rotations, reducing unnecessary disturbance and applying suitable organic amendments can contribute to healthier and more resilient soils.
Compost and soil organic matter
Adding suitable, quality-controlled compost can increase soil organic matter and improve certain soil properties. Organic matter helps soil retain water and nutrients and may reduce the risk of erosion and runoff.
The outcome depends on the soil, climate, crops, quality of the compost and the way it is applied. Compost is therefore one part of a broader approach to soil management rather than a solution on its own.
Recovering suitable organic material also helps keep resources in use. Instead of treating unavoidable food waste only as something to discard, separate collection allows it to be processed into biogas, compost or digestate, depending on the local treatment system.
How can Biobag products support the process?
Biobag’s certified compostable bags are designed to support the separate collection of food and organic waste. Where they are accepted by the local waste system, they can make collection simpler while helping reduce the risk of persistent fragments from conventional plastic bags entering compost or digestate.
Industrial compostability and soil biodegradability are not the same. A bag certified according to EN 13432 is designed for industrial composting conditions. This certification does not mean that the bag is intended to biodegrade directly in agricultural soil or in nature.
Anaerobic digestion facilities also differ. Some accept certified compostable bags and process them together with the organic waste, while others remove bags during pre-treatment. A bag’s behaviour in a biogas system therefore depends on the technology, processing time and subsequent treatment used by the facility.
Under the composting conditions specified by their certification, certified compostable Biobag products biodegrade into water, carbon dioxide and biomass without leaving persistent microplastics behind.
Correct use and disposal remain essential. Consumers and businesses should always follow local sorting instructions and check the certification displayed on the product.
Certified compostable bags cannot restore soil on their own. But as part of a well-designed organic-waste system, they can help collect valuable food waste and keep persistent conventional plastic out of biological cycles.
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