BioPak packaging is better for the environment at its outset. Our packaging range is made from rapidly renewable, plant-based resources (rather than fossil-based resources like traditional packaging). So even if it is sent to landfill, it’s a more sustainable option than using conventional plastic.
Our BioCane plant fibre packaging with no added PFAS is certified industrially compostable. However, in Hong Kong, large-scale industrial composting facilities are not fully developed.
Businesses can dispose of this packaging (with food waste) via an in-vessel composting unit, like Green Eco Technologies. You can learn more about in-vessel composting units on Compost Connect.
Some of our plant fibre range contains added PFAS which are not certified and can’t be composted. Starting in July 2024, we will cease production of all plant fibre products containing added PFAS. Learn more about PFAS.
Products like our Plant Fibre BioCup Lid and Plant Fibre Cutlery with no added PFAS are industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 and European EN13432 standards. Check each individual product for specific details.
Our BioCane plant fibre packaging with no added PFAS is certified home compostable. They can be composted in your backyard compost.
Some of our plant fibre range contains added PFAS which are not certified and can’t be composted. Starting in July 2024, we will cease production of all plant fibre products containing added PFAS. Learn more about PFAS.
Products like our Plant Fibre BioCup Lid and Plant Fibre Cutlery with no added PFAS are home compostable to Australian (AS5810) and European (NF T51-800) standards. Check each individual product for specific details.
BioPak’s plant fibre packaging is suitable for recycling along with cardboard, as long as it’s clean and no food residue remains. Check with your local area for the latest recycling information.
Aqueous-lined paper cups are certified industrially compostable. However, in Hong Kong, large-scale industrial composting facilities are not fully developed.
Businesses can dispose of this packaging (with food waste) via an in-vessel composting unit, like Green Eco Technologies. You can learn more about in-vessel composting units on Compost Connect.
Aqueous lined paper cups are certified industrially compostable to European EN13432 standards, and will soon be certified industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 standards.
Our aqueous-lined biocups are certified home compostable to Australian (AS5810) and European (NF T51-800) standards. These cups are food safe, odourless, and can be disposed of right in your backyard compost bin!
No aqueous-lined paper cups are accepted in the paper mixed recycling stream and they could potentially contaminate the clean paper recycling stream. Their best end-of-life solution is through industrial composting.
Our 100% paper products are certified industrially compostable. However, in Hong Kong, large-scale industrial composting facilities are not fully developed.
Businesses can dispose of this packaging (with food waste) via an in-vessel composting unit, like Green Eco Technologies. You can learn more about in-vessel composting units on Compost Connect.
100% paper products can be composted in your home compost.
They’re a source of carbon which can help maintain the carbon-nitrogen balance of your compost pile.
Unlined board or paper products are recyclable in the paper recycling stream. However, they need to be clean with no food residue remaining.
Our wood products are certified industrially compostable. However, in Hong Kong, large-scale industrial composting facilities are not fully developed.
Businesses can dispose of this packaging (with food waste) via an in-vessel composting unit, like Green Eco Technologies. You can learn more about in-vessel composting units on Compost Connect.
BioPak’s wooden cutlery can be composted in your backyard compost.
Our wooden cutlery is made from FSCTM certified birchwood, and our coated range has been coated with a food-safe, non-toxic, compostable plant-based carnauba wax.
They’re a source of carbon which can help maintain the carbon-nitrogen balance of your compost pile.
Wood products are not accepted in mixed or paper recycling streams. The best end-of-life solution is composting.
BioPak’s soft bioplastic products are certified industrially compostable. However, in Hong Kong, there are currently no large-scale industrial composting facilities available.
Businesses can dispose of this packaging (with food waste) via an in-vessel composting unit, like Green Eco Technologies. You can learn more about in-vessel composting units on Compost Connect.
Soft bioplastic products are certified industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 standards.
BioPak soft bioplastic products can biodegrade in home compost conditions within the home certification testing time frame.
BioPak bioplastic bags, gloves and film for sleeves are certified home compostable to Australian AS5810 standards.
Soft bioplastic products are not accepted in the mixed recycling stream. The best end-of-life solution is composting.
First, look for proof through certifications. To gain an industrially compostable certification (EN13432) or home compostable certification (NFT51-800) products need to undergo rigorous testing and hold a compostability licence number.
In Europe, the trusted certification bodies that do that are the TÜV Rheinland Group and DIN CERTCO. On their website, they both have a list of companies and products that are certified. Check the TÜV website and DIN CERTCO website for more information.
To check if a product is certified, look for one of these two logos AND the company’s sub-licence number stated underneath.
Industrially Compostable (EN13432)
Home Compostable (NFT51 - 800)
Yes! You should always look for composting certifications from trustworthy certification bodies – like TÜV Rheinland Group and DIN CERTCO. To get these certifications, products have to undergo stringent, time-consuming and costly test regimes.
If a product doesn’t hold this certification, it could be greenwashing, which can lead to packaging failing to break down in a compost environment and contamination. Certifications are the only way to know if a product truly is what it says it is.
This is why we – as consumers – should always trust and support products showing the correct logos.
By understanding the compostable logos (and spotting any false claims that fall outside of this) consumers can take a stand against greenwashing.
Here are a few examples of incorrectly used compostable logos.
In this example, a company has made their own ‘certified compostable logo.’ This is greenwashing and not verified by TÜV Rheinland Group and DIN CERTCO.
At BioPak, our compostable products are certified by trustworthy certification bodies.
In this example, the company has used the industrially compostable logo but doesn’t have a certification number beneath it. This makes it unclear for the consumer on how to correctly dispose of the product.
At BioPak, we make our certification numbers available either on the product or on our website, when applicable.
In this example, the company has used the compostable logo and the certification number. However, there’s no company licence number beneath it. This makes it hard to know whether they’re actually certified.
At BioPak, we make our certification numbers available either on the product or on our website, when applicable.
In Hong Kong, there’s a community recycling network that provides direction as to what is recyclable or not. It also supports community recycling and various environmental education activities to instil a green lifestyle within the community.
RECYCLABLE
This is assumed safe for kerbside recycling. To get this logo, more than 80% of councils must accept this item in kerbside recycling.
CONDITIONALLY RECYCLABLE
This means you must follow the specific instructions beneath the label in order for the item to be recycled.
NOT RECYCLABLE
This means an item cannot be recycled in kerbside recycling and must be placed in your general waste bin.
CHECK LOCALLY
This means an item MAY be recyclable and it’s necessary to check with arl.org.au or your local council for more information.
Traditional recycling of paper, metal, plastic and glass is often difficult in the foodservice industry, because it’s either too small to be sorted by recycling plants, is usually contaminated with food, or is made of various materials that can’t be separated easily.
At BioPak, we see composting as the ideal end-of-life option for foodservice packaging. That’s because it acts as a vehicle to help curb food waste – packaging and food waste can be disposed of together – in a home or industrial compost bin.
Not only that, food waste being incinerated releases harmful chemicals, emissions and pollutants. Composting helps avoid these harmful byproducts while creating a nutrient-rich resource that can improve soil quality.
Landfill or incinerators aren’t the ideal place for BioPak’s compostable packaging to end up.
However, we recognise that right now, it’s inevitable that some of our products end up in landfill or incinerators, this is largely due to the limited infrastructure and accessibility to compost facilities.
Compostable packaging going to landfill or incinerators is still better than the alternative: traditional plastic packaging going to landfill or incinerators. That’s because traditional plastic packaging is made from energy-intensive, fossil-based resources, whereas compostable packaging is made from rapidly renewable, plant-based resources, so it’s a more sustainable production process.
Compost Connect is a not-for-profit platform connecting foodservice businesses to compost solutions.
While there’s limited access to large-scale composting facilities in Hong Kong, Compost Connect acts as an educational platform, showing businesses and consumers innovative ways to compost at home and in your business.
