What Is Composting?

Composting is an essential part of waste management that turns organic materials into nutrient-rich soil. It helps reduce landfill waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a circular economy. However, not all composting systems are created equal. Two prominent forms of composting are commercial composting and industrial composting, each with its own methods, processes, and guidelines for acceptable materials. Understanding these differences is key to ensuring that products are disposed of properly. Additionally, knowing how to identify products with the correct labels will ensure they are processed in the right composting environment.

What is Commercial Composting?

Commercial composting generally refers to smaller-scale composting operations that serve local communities, such as businesses, municipalities, or large apartment complexes. These facilities accept organic waste from restaurants, schools, grocery stores, and households and compost it under controlled conditions. The facilities may be open-air or enclosed, but they typically involve a balance of:

• Organic materials: Food scraps, yard waste, coffee grounds, and other organic matter.

• Time: Commercial composting operations generally have shorter turnaround times than home composting, often requiring a few weeks to a few months.

• Temperature: They maintain temperatures high enough (typically between 55°C to 77°C or 130°F to 170°F) to kill off pathogens, but they often cannot break down materials like bioplastics or certain types of packaging.

In short, commercial composting facilities are designed for rapid decomposition of common organic waste but may not be equipped to handle more robust or complex compostable items.

Here’s a guide to the most common labels:

1. The BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) Logo: The BPI certification is one of the most recognized labels for compostable products in North America. It certifies that the product meets standards for compostability in industrial composting facilities. Products with this logo are typically made of bioplastics, fibers, or other materials that will break down only under the high temperatures of industrial composting.

2. OK Compost Logo (Industrially): Issued by TÜV Austria, this label guarantees that the product is suitable for industrial composting according to European standards (EN 13432). The OK Compost logo indicates the product will break down within a specified timeframe in an industrial composting environment.

3. Home Compostable Labels: While not related to commercial or industrial composting, some products are labeled as home compostable. These products will break down in lower-temperature composting systems, like home compost piles, and are usually not suitable for commercial or industrial facilities due to differences in processing.

4. ASTM D6400 and D6868: These are U.S. standards for materials designed to be composted in industrial settings. If you see either of these codes on a product, it means the product is tested and certified to break down in an industrial composting environment.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between commercial and industrial composting is essential for proper waste disposal. While both systems play an important role in reducing waste, they handle different types of materials and operate at different scales. To ensure that compostable products are processed correctly, consumers must be familiar with compostability labels and local composting infrastructure. By doing so, we can contribute to more efficient composting systems and a healthier environment.