{"id":8226,"date":"2023-11-24T23:28:12","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T12:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.compostconnect.org\/uk\/?p=8226"},"modified":"2024-01-02T15:36:35","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T04:36:35","slug":"compostable-vs-recyclable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.compostconnect.org\/uk\/compostable-vs-recyclable\/","title":{"rendered":"Recycling vs. Composting"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Compostable vs Recyclable: Which Is Better for the Environment?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Ever wondered which packaging products are better for the environment \u2013\u00a0compostable vs recyclable?\u00a0<\/p>

It\u2019s a good question, especially since greenwashing is becoming increasingly common and there are hazy rules around using these terms. So let\u2019s compare compostable and recyclable in simple terms.<\/p>

For starters, let\u2019s clear one thing up: composting technically IS recycling \u2013 organics recycling! And when both traditional recycling and composting are done correctly, we can reduce what we send to landfill and work towards a zero waste circular economy. So both are valuable in their own way.<\/p>

But what’s the difference between compostable and recyclable, exactly?\u00a0<\/p>

And which is better for the environment? (hint: it depends on the application).\u00a0<\/p>

Let\u2019s look a little closer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Write\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

What\u2019s the Difference Between Composting and Recycling?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

To put it simply, composting is for recycling \u2018organic matter\u2019 (anything that was once living) and traditional recycling is for materials like paper, glass, and plastics.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

What Is Composting?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Like nature\u2019s version of recycling, composting<\/b> is the natural break down of organic matter over time. Fungi, bacteria, insects, worms and other organisms break down organic waste to produce a nutrient-rich compost, which has flow-on benefits for soil, plants and the planet at large.\u00a0<\/p>

Whether it\u2019s a large commercial facility or your backyard compost bin, composting requires minimal energy and harnesses nature\u2019s power to turn waste into fertiliser.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

What Is Recycling?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

On the other hand, recycling<\/b> is not a natural process. It involves separating and processing waste like paper, glass and plastics (mechanically or chemically) to make the materials ready to be used in new products.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Recycle\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Which Is Better, Composting or Recycling?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

This is a layered question with no straightforward answer, because it always depends on the specific application.<\/p>

In some instances, traditional recycling is a more viable solution, yet in others, composting is the best option. Both help contribute to a circular economy.<\/p>

The Zero Waste Hierarchy shows \u2013 from highest to lowest \u2013 the strategies we should use to support a zero waste system. As you can see, recycling and composting fall together in the middle, below reducing and reusing.<\/p>

At Compost Connect, we focus specifically on packaging in the foodservice industry. In this instance, we see composting as the ideal solution.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"From\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
The Zero Waste Hierarchy. Source Zero Waste International Alliance zwia.org\/zwh<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Why Is Composting the Best Recycling Choice for the Foodservice Industry?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The harsh truth: the vast majority of food packaging is not being recycled and winds up in landfills. That\u2019s because it\u2019s either too small to be sorted by recycling plants, contaminated with food, or made of various materials that can\u2019t be separated easily. Food waste in landfills emits methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide (source<\/a>). <\/p>

At Compost Connect, we believe composting is the perfect end-of-life option for foodservice packaging. That\u2019s because it acts as a vehicle to curb food waste \u2013 packaging and food waste can all go in one bin to be commercially composted. What\u2019s more, composting helps avoid the methane emissions associated with food in landfills, while creating a nutrient-rich fertiliser that can be used to improve soil quality.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

When Should I Recycle Packaging Products?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Recycle\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

While composting is the preferred disposal method for compostable packaging used to serve food, recycling also has an important role to play in the circular economy.<\/p>

By recycling plastics, glass and metals correctly, we\u2019re preventing a huge amount of waste from ending up in landfills.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

What you can (and can\u2019t) recycle differs from council to council. This is why you should check your local council guidelines to know exactly what you can put in your kerbside bins.<\/p>

It\u2019s also crucial that recyclable materials are kept separate from organic waste. If a bin load of recycling is mixed with a liquid substance or food scraps, its content might not get recycled and sent to landfill instead as contamination.<\/p>

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has launched The Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) Program<\/a> \u2013 an on-pack labelling scheme to help you recycle packaging correctly. These labels will tell you what\u2019s recyclable, conditionally recyclable and not recyclable.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

When (And How) Should I Compost Packaging Products?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

There are two types of composting: industrial and home composting<\/a>. What you can compost depends on the method you use.<\/p>

Industrial composting occurs in an industrial composting facility. It uses controlled inputs, like aeration, feedstock, temperature and humidity levels to rapidly biodegrade organic materials. Because of the controlled settings, a commercial compost often breaks down organic materials faster, and it can also accept materials that won\u2019t break down in your home compost (like some bioplastics).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

As the name suggests, home composting can be done in your backyard compost. Temperatures are generally lower, which means the process will be slower and some materials will not break down as easily.<\/p>

When determining whether a packaging product is compostable, there\u2019s one mark all consumers should look for \u2013 The Certified Compostable Logo under the Australasian Bioplastics Association. This proves a product is certified home or industrially compostable to Australian standards. Always look for this mark as well as the company\u2019s specific licence number.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"The\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn about Compostable Certifications<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

What Are the Benefits of Recycling?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

There are so many benefits of traditional recycling. It can:\u00a0<\/p>