With the improvement of environmental awareness and the intensification of plastic pollution, compostable bags are gradually entering people’s lives as a green alternative. Compostable bags can decompose into organic matter under certain conditions, reduce environmental burden, and become an ideal substitute for plastic bags.
There are endless counterfeit and shoddy “compostable bags” on the market. These fake bags often do not have real composting properties, which not only mislead consumers but also may aggravate environmental pollution. Therefore, mastering the skills to distinguish true and false compostable bags has become a must-have for every environmentally friendly consumer.
This article will systematically introduce how to comprehensively identify counterfeit compostable bags from certification marks, packaging instructions, feel tests to simple home experiments, to help you choose truly environmentally friendly products.
Compostable vs. Biodegradable
Biodegradable means that the material can be decomposed into water, carbon dioxide and biomass by microbial action in the natural environment, but the decomposition speed and conditions are uncertain, and microplastic residues may be produced.
Compostable is a further standard of biodegradability, requiring that the material can be completely decomposed without leaving harmful residues under specific temperature, humidity and time conditions in industrial composting facilities and converted into organic fertilizer.
Simply put, all compostable materials are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable materials meet the compostable standards. Fake “compostable bags” are often just ordinary plastics or low-quality biodegradable plastics that cannot be completely decomposed in a composting environment, causing secondary environmental pollution.
Key Signs of Genuine Compostable Bags
Certification Marks Are the First Line of Defense
BPI certification (Biodegradable Products Institute)
BPI certification is the most authoritative compostable product certification in the United States, ensuring that the product meets the requirements of ASTM D6400 and can be completely degraded in industrial composting facilities.
ASTM D6400 standard
This is a compostable plastic standard recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency, which stipulates indicators such as the degradation rate of materials and the safety of residues.
EN 13432 standard (European standard)
This standard is a common compostable certification standard in Europe, requiring products to decompose at least 90% within 90 days and have no toxic residues.
OK Compost certification (TÜV Austria)
Issued by the Austrian TÜV agency, it is divided into two types of certification: industrial composting (OK Compost INDUSTRIAL) and home composting (OK Compost HOME).
When purchasing, be sure to confirm whether there is the above certification mark on the packaging and the certification number is clear and traceable. Counterfeit products often forge certification marks or use unclear “certified” words, so consumers should be careful to distinguish them.
Labels and Instructions on the Packaging
- Name of the certification body and certification number
- Applicable composting environment (industrial composting, home composting)
- Product ingredient description (such as bio-based materials such as PLA and PHA)
- Composting treatment recommendations (such as temperature, time, and humidity requirements)
- Environmental slogans and recycling guidelines
If the packaging only has vague words such as “Eco-friendly”, “Green”, “Biodegradable” and no specific certification information, it is very likely to be a counterfeit product.
How to Test Compostable Bags at Home
1.Feel and sound test
Feel
Real compostable bags usually use bio-based materials such as PLA and PHA, which feel soft, delicate and slightly silky. Fake bags are mostly traditional polyethylene plastics, which feel hard and slightly greasy.
Sound
When you rub a compostable bag with your hands, the sound is soft and there is no obvious plastic friction sound; while fake plastic bags will make a louder friction sound when rubbed, and the sound is sharp and harsh.
2.Water immersion test
Put the bag in water and observe its floating and sinking:
- Real compostable bags usually sink to the bottom of the water due to their high density.
- Ordinary plastic bags such as polyethylene have a low density and will float on the water.
In order to enhance the test effect, you can add an appropriate amount of salt to the water to increase the water density and further distinguish the density differences of the materials. It should be noted that the water immersion test is not absolutely accurate, but it can be used as a reference.
3.Combustion test (caution required)
The combustion test can determine the material type by the combustion characteristics, but there are safety risks. It is recommended to be carried out in a well-ventilated environment away from flammable materials.
Burning characteristics of real compostable bags
The flame is small, there is no obvious black smoke after burning, the smell is similar to caramel or popcorn, and there is little ash left after burning and it is non-toxic.
Burning characteristics of fake plastic bags
The flame is large and yellow, accompanied by a lot of black smoke, the smell is pungent like burning plastic candles, and there are hard lumps or grease left after burning.
Although the combustion test is intuitive, it has a certain impact on the environment and health, so it is recommended to use it with caution.
Buying Compostable Bags Advice and Prevention Tips
Choose well-known brands and regular channels
Big brands usually have a complete quality control and certification system, and regular e-commerce platforms and physical stores are more secure.
Carefully check the packaging certification mark
The certification mark should be clear and complete, and the authenticity can be verified through the official website of the certification body.
Be wary of products with abnormally low prices
Too low prices often mean low-quality materials or counterfeit products. Environmentally friendly products have higher costs, so be cautious if the price is too low.
Pay attention to product ingredient descriptions
Choose products marked with bio-based materials such as PLA, PHA, and starch-based materials to avoid containing traditional plastic ingredients.
Read user reviews and third-party test reports
Real user feedback and independent test reports can help judge product performance and authenticity.
Conclusion
Distinguishing between genuine and fake compostable bags is not only related to the rights and interests of consumers, but also directly affects the effect of environmental protection. Counterfeit products not only waste resources, but may also cause increased plastic pollution. By understanding the difference between compostable and biodegradable, identifying authoritative certification marks, and combining simple sensory and experimental tests, consumers can effectively avoid buying counterfeit and shoddy products. I hope this article can help everyone choose truly environmentally friendly compostable bags, jointly promote a green lifestyle, and protect our home planet.
FAQ
How to confirm whether a compostable bag is genuine?
Check the authoritative certification mark on the packaging, verify the certification number, and make a comprehensive judgment based on hand feel, immersion test and other methods.
Are compostable bags suitable for ordinary garbage?
Compostable bags should be placed in special industrial composting facilities or home composting environments. Ordinary landfills are not suitable for effective decomposition due to insufficient conditions.
Can compostable bags be degraded in landfills?
The lack of oxygen and suitable temperature in landfills causes compostable bags to degrade slowly or even not at all. It is recommended to place them in different categories.
What is the difference between home composting and industrial composting bags?
Industrial composting bags need to be decomposed in a high temperature and high humidity environment, and the speed is fast; home composting bags adapt to lower temperatures, decomposition time is longer, and the certification standards are different.
