Walking around the supermarket aisles, you may get exposed to multiple packages calling for being eco-friendly and safe for the earth. However, upon a closer inspection, most such packaging tend to use three particular terms: degradable, biodegradable and compostable. The three words may seem similar; nevertheless, they are different substantially. Learning their exact meanings will help you understand the materials better and not fall victim to greenwashing.

Degradable: When Disintegration Does Not Mean Decomposition

Degradable is an umbrella term that covers all materials that can be broken down into smaller pieces through physical, light, thermal, chemical, and biological means. The word degradable itself does not provide a clear picture of what the material will turn into or how long it will take to degrade. Inevitably, choosing a product which is merely degradable will lead to you getting more microplastics without any noticeable change to the packaging. Since oxodegradable plastics can take years to decay, the EU has already banned them for all applications, while environmental activists have campaigned against them on the global level.

Takeaway: Remember that the word 'degradable' implies no specific conditions nor time frame. In most cases it is better to opt for a biodegradable or a compostable product.

Biodegradable: Perfect Timing for Perfect Disposal

A Biodegradable substance is matter that is broken down by bacteria, fungi, and other living organisms. Unlike degradable materials, biodegradable ones can actually decompose and integrate into the natural environment cycle. However, there are some important limitations with biodegradable products. First of all, the items made with biodegradable materials do not have a specified time frame within which they should be disposed in a particular way.

For instance, an apple core will rotten in a week, while the bark of a tree may take years to degrade. Equally important, biodegradable items are subject to decomposition under natural conditions which is sometimes a stretch in the middle of the city where landfills rarely provide the perfect mix of temperature, oxygen, and water activity. Thus, there is no guarantee that a biodegradable material will be disposed responsibly.

Takeaway: A Biodegradable Product is generally safe; however, you are likely to make a mistake with the disposal.

Compostable: A closer look

An item that is compostable means it can be returned to compost, i.e., mixed into a nutrient-rich biomass that will serve as nourishment for plants within a particular time frame. Unlike biodegradable materials, compostable objects cannot be inorganic or chemically treated to resist rotting. Moreover, compostable items should ideally be industrial compostable requiring the high temperatures of a commercial composter to break down. The terms 'industrial' and 'commercial' are essential since many plastics, paper, and cotton products claim to disintegrate upon decomposition and require the proper treatment facility to do so. Home compostable materials are much rarer; although, in principle, their disintegration will happen in a backyard composter, making them suitable for less technically equipped places.

Takeaway: A compostable product is best because such materials can be safely returned to nature, but only in an industrial compost facility.

Three Similar Words That Bear No Similar Properties Essay

Term Description Limitations

Degradable Being broken down into smaller pieces with no specification as to what it will be turned into. This is a general term that encompasses all materials that can be broken down, i.e., including biodegradable and compostable. As a result, many degradable materials, for example, plastics, will simply turn into microplastics that will be nearly impossible to remove from the environment. Notably, the EU has already banned oxo-degradable plastics.

Biodegradable Being broken down by fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms. Unlike degradable materials, biodegradable items actually decompose. However, it is almost impossible to find any specific conditions regarding temperature, ph and others that are required for an item to biodegrade. Additionally, biodegradable items require appropriate disposal, such as composting or biodegradable bag, in particular facilities to decompose. While they are not harmful to the environment, one should always strive for a circular economy.

Compostable Being broken down into compost that can be later used in a specific period of time. Although they ideally require commercial compost facilities, compostable items can be safely discarded because they will not hurt the environment and will instead contribute to the creation of new organic soil. Although items such as paper and cotton products can claim to be compostable, in reality, they will require proper industrial compost facilities.

How to Avoid Greenwashing Concerning Green Product Claims Essay

To avoid falling victim to greenwashing when shopping for degradable, biodegradable and compostable materials, use the following five simple guidelines:

1. Always look on the packages – if they do not have any certifications, such as, for example, BPI certifies, TÜV Austria, or another certification that will confirm that the item will indeed do what it claims.

2. Double-check the instructions for disposal – a trustworthy manufacturer will always specify how the item should be disposed of. As a consequence, if the instructions say, "in a plastic bag," there is most probably no point in trying to recycle it.

3. Be wary of vague claims – always remember that vague terms such as eco-friendly, earth-friendly, and other similar words are typically misleading.

4. Ensure that the object you bought can ideally be disposed of in the manner described and your town provides such a service. A plastic bag that is supposed to be compostable for one person may require high-tech facilities that only a large landfill provides on a local level.

5. Follow the waste hierarchy – remember that waste management should always follow the waste hierarchy. Even the best-selling biodegradable should always come as a secondary option.

In summary, being aware of the differences between degradable, biodegradable, and compostable materials will greatly help you in avoiding greenwashing when shopping for eco-friendly products. Remember that each of the terms requires different disposal methods and provides significantly different levels of promise.

In particular, degradable materials merely break down, decomposable products actually decompose, and compostable items decompose as well but safely so they do not spoil the environment. Next Time you go shopping for an 'eco-friendly' product, remember the following five guidelines to ensure that it truly is friendly and that you will not damage the environment.

FAQ:

1. What is the basic difference between these three terms?

Degradable materials are those that are fragmented into smaller pieces. In turn, biodegradable materials are broken down by microorganisms into organic compounds. Finally, compostable materials are capable of transforming into compost within a specified period of time.

2. Is “degradable” the same as “eco-friendly”?

No, it is not, because degradable materials can only be broken into smaller fragments, but nothing is said about what new material will be formed, and whether it will be safe for the environment.

3. What are oxo-degradable plastics?

They are conventional plastics with special additives which allow them to be fragmented into smaller pieces under the action of heat and sunlight, but such plastics do not actually biodegrade and are banned in the European Union.

4. Does “biodegradable” mean that the material will disappear away quickly?

Not necessarily, since the standard does not stipulate a specific time for the complete degradation of materials. Therefore, there may be situations when biodegradable waste degrades within several years or even decades, for example, in the absence of sunlight.

5. Why is “biodegradable” a misleading term?

Because many countries do not impose strict requirements for the use of this term, and materials that theoretically can biodegrade over an extended period of time can be presented as biodegradable.