Go Green with Eco-Labels: Biodegradable Product Certification

There are a smattering of products on the market listed as 'biodegradable' but how do you know what's legitimate? Companies may provide detailed information on the composting abilities of their products, but scientific research has proven many of these false. This is where the Biodegradable Product Institute (BPI) comes into play. They are a non-profit organization that provides a third-party certification for biodegradable products globally. For the true go green shopper out there, look for this logo on compostable bags, food wares (plates, silverware, cups, and bowls), and the like!

Down to the nitty-gritty
The certification has two components: compostable and bio-based content. The compostability factors are tested based on scientific standards, reviewing the product breakdown under various conditions. The bio-based content reviews the amount of 'organic carbon from renewable resources.' Both of these testing procedures follow international standards, so the logo will appear in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America with a slight presence in Africa.

Why should I care?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 68 million tons of solid waste sent to the landfill annually could have been composted. Given the rising cost of landfills, their maintenance requirements, and the profitability of composting materials, that is 68 million tons that could be converted to help provide nutrients for agriculture in place of oil-based fertilizers. Composting rates have risen from 2% in 1990 to 8.4% in the mid-2000s, so we are slowly all getting the 'go green' mentality. Over 23 US states have banned forms of organic waste disposal, with Minnesota recently banning the use of non-compostable yard bags for organics and yard clippings in 2010. So join the movement by investing in BPI-certified compostable products to reduce your plastic intake.

How do I compost my organics?
As Caitlin pointed out, your home compost can serve as a starting point. When it comes to the BPI certification though, these products are tested to biodegrade in commercial-scale facilities where temperatures rise significantly higher than typical home compost piles. For example, PLA, the compostable product that looks like a normal plastic cup, requires a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit to decompose. Other products, like compostable food waste bags, often compost in smaller piles and bins.

Is BPI the only legitimate biodegradable product eco-label?
To date, yes. There are other eco-labels that companies have designed to distinguish between their own lines of products, but BPI is the only third-party certifier with global credibility. Their goal is to provide education, assist with the adoption of scientifically-based standards, and align with other organizations to promote the scientific integrity and global importance of biodegradability of products. It is simple for companies to submit their products for scientific testing, making your consumer recommendation that they 'go green' all the more important.

Look for the BPI-certified label on your products. Companies like BioBags and other large-scale producers have gone through extensive testing to make sure that their products are easy to find and biodegrade in commercial sites.

The logo will help anyone trying to go green sort through the eco 'claims' and get to the heart of the matter, will it or will it not leach into our environment?

Photo Credit: US Compo.