Combating Misinformation and Understanding the Role of Compostable Packaging

The conversation around compostable packaging is becoming increasingly heated, with states like NSW and Victoria and some councils across Australia moving to restrict or ban these products from organics recovery systems to manage perceived “risks” and “uncertainty”.

But are these actions grounded in science, or are they a reaction to misinformation and misconceptions? Compostable packaging has been meticulously developed over decades, with certified products designed to support the circular economy, divert waste from landfill and improve food organics recovery. Yet, sweeping bans on these solutions risk stalling progress toward sustainable waste management, leaving Australia stuck with low recycling rates, contaminated organics streams, and less effective recovery systems.  

In this blog, we tackle the misinformation head-on, providing science-based evidence to clarify the real role and value of compostable packaging. Let’s explore why informed, research-driven decisions are critical to advancing Australia’s sustainability goals. 

Are certified compostable products truly a risk to organic food recovery systems, or are misconceptions clouding the discussion? To uncover the truth, the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) commissioned an in-depth study, “A review of the benefits and risks of including certified compostable packaging in organic food recovery systems”. Conducted by Bill Grant, Research Fellow at Federation University’s Future Regions Research Centre, this research reviews and rejects NSW EPA’s analysis and claims surrounding compostable plastics and packaging that sparked their bans of compostable packaging from FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics).

Grant’s analysis focuses on two critical aspects: 

• Assessment of the net environmental and social benefits of recovering fibre-based coated and bioplastic products through FOGO systems 
• Assessment of mitigation and management of any risks 

Certified compostable packaging meeting Australian Standards AS4736 and AS5810, along with ABA’s additional certification requirements, poses minimal risk to commercial composting systems. In fact, these products can boost food organics recovery through FO and FOGO services. Proper community education on compostable items and effective contamination management at processing facilities help reduce contamination in compost products. Concerns about chemical contamination, microplastics, or ecotoxicity from certified compostable packaging are unfounded.

Read the full research here.

The NSW EPA reports on the chemical and toxicity risks of compostable packaging have significant limitations and do not apply to most ABA-certified compostable products. Their studies focused on a narrow range of non-compostable, non-certified products and did not consider fibre-based items. 

Here are Grant’s findings that dispel NSW EPA’s misconceptions about compostable packaging contamination risks in FOGO.

1. No Significant Contamination Risks: Products certified under the ABA program and compliant with Australian Standards pose no significant or lasting risks to the environment or human health from chemical contamination, eco-toxicity, or microplastic pollution during composting. In fact, the small quantities of bioplastics in FOGO contribute insignificantly to the chemical levels of compost products, especially when compared to the existing chemical background levels found in food, garden organics, air, water, or soil.
2. The Declining Risk of PFAS Contamination: The risk of PFAS and PFOS contamination in food packaging has been a concern, but many companies are voluntarily phasing out PFAS, with further progress expected once PFAS bans are implemented in 2025. The primary risk comes from recycled paper products made from contaminated materials. However, ABA certification ensures that PFAS is never intentionally added to products, eliminating this risk from certified compostable packaging.
3. No Lasting Microplastics in the Environment: Certified plastics are designed to nearly fully degrade during composting. Any minimal residues in the final compost will continue to biodegrade over time, ensuring they do not contribute to persistent microplastic pollution in soil or the environment.

The risks associated with certifiable compostable packaging can be effectively managed through stricter regulations. By enforcing certification to the ABA's standards and implementing periodic testing of ABA-verified and Australian Standard-certified products, potential risks can be minimised. 

To manage risks in organics recovery systems, processing centres can use screening technologies, procedures, and trained manual pickers to remove non-compostable items, ensuring certified compostables are processed correctly. Councils and businesses can also set contract conditions to include compostable packaging in FO and FOGO services by selecting composters with the right systems in place. For example, excluding short-period organic processors ensures compostable packaging is effectively managed, reducing contamination and supporting organic waste management.

Stronger regulation is needed to reduce the prevalence of lookalike products in the market to ensure the success of compostable packaging in waste management systems, particularly in FOGO services. Some non-compostable products mimic the appearance of certified compostable packaging, leading to confusion and contamination within the organic waste stream. To address this issue, clear regulations must be implemented that set standards for packaging design and labelling.

However, regulation alone isn't enough. Education plays a crucial role in helping both consumers and businesses recognise compostable certifications, spot lookalike products, and understand the correct disposal methods

Critics that argue certified compostable packaging does not align with Circular Economy objectives overlook several key benefits:

• Enhanced Organic Recovery: Certified compostable packaging helps capture food waste that would otherwise contaminate recycling streams or end up in landfill.
• Soil Regeneration: Compost derived from FOGO systems replenishes soil with nutrients and carbon, supporting agricultural productivity and reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers.
• Reduced Need for Fossil-Based Plastics Reduces Contamination: Compostable packaging helps reduce the prevalence of non-recyclable and low-value plastic packaging, which often contaminates and undermines the effectiveness of both container recycling and commercial composting systems. 
• Renewable Resources: Using agricultural residues and renewable materials in compostable packaging supports sustainable resource cycles, reducing dependency on finite fossil-based resources.

The NSW EPA’s argument that certified compostable bioplastics do not add value to compost misses the point. While compostable materials may contribute similar carbon benefits as some food organics, the real value lies in increasing food waste recovery, reducing contamination, and reducing microplastic contamination in soil.

The primary purpose of Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) services is to divert food waste from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and harness the value of organic materials to create nutrient-rich compost. This objective lies at the heart of a circular economy, where waste is transformed into valuable resources.

Anything that hinders the effective diversion of food waste undermines FOGO's core goal. Misconceptions or restrictive policies around compostable packaging can limit the potential benefits of FOGO services, reducing their overall effectiveness and environmental impact.

Several international examples demonstrate the positive impacts of integrating certified compostable products into organic waste systems. From Italy to South Australia, municipalities adopting compostable packaging have seen measurable improvements in contamination reduction and compost quality.

Viewing certified compostable products as enablers rather than obstacles will allow us to align policies with the overarching goals of sustainability, resource efficiency, and environmental regeneration. To maximise the benefits of certified compostable products in FOGO systems, several steps should be taken:

1. Enforcing Certification Standards: Stricter regulations to ensure only ABA-certified products are accepted in FOGO will address concerns about contamination and material quality.
2. Enhanced Community Education: Clear guidelines for consumers on what can and cannot be included in FOGO bins will minimise contamination and support proper sorting.
3. Investing in Infrastructure: Scaling up composting facilities with appropriate processing technology and contamination management systems ensures the effective processing of certified compostable materials.
4. Periodic Testing: Regular testing of both certified packaging and compost outputs can confirm compliance with safety and quality standards, building trust among stakeholders.
5. Creating Market Incentives: Subsidies for businesses that adopt compostable packaging and funding for composting infrastructure will accelerate the transition and encourage adoption at scale.
6. Collaboration with Research Institutions: Partnering with universities and environmental organisations can facilitate innovation in compostable material design and composting technology, addressing remaining challenges.

The time to act is now. Banning certified compostable packaging from FOGO systems undermines the progress Australia has made toward a circular economy. By excluding these products, we risk:

• Increased Landfill Waste: Diverting food-contaminated materials away from FOGO to landfill contributes to higher emissions, the loss of resources, and intensifies the growing landfill capacity crisis.
• Stifled Innovation and Leadership: The compostable packaging sector represents an opportunity for Australia to lead in sustainable material innovation, creating jobs and export potential.
• Missed Educational Opportunities: Without integrating compostable products, consumers lose the chance to learn about responsible waste management and circular practices.