WHY WE LOVE PHA
Finally, The Future of
Home Compostable Cups is here
For decades, food packaging manufacturers have grappled with the question: how can we make a cup with a leak-proof lining that doesn’t require the use of fossil-based plastic?
Finally, there’s a game-changing solution to this composting challenge. After years of innovation and development, PHA has arrived (short for polyhydroxyalkanoate) and we’re the first company to bring it to the Australian market.
This new material is produced through a fermentation process using renewable resources, like plant sugars and vegetable oils. The result is a home compostable cup that contains no fossil-based materials.
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PHA will be certified home compostable to Australian and European Standards (AS5810 and NFT51-800) in early 2025. |
The final PHA cup contains no fossil-based materials – an improvement on the current home compostable solutions. |
PHA resin* is certified marine biodegradable – so if it accidentally ends up in the sea, it will break down significantly faster than conventional plastic, ensuring that no microplastics persist in the long term. |
*while PHA resin is certified marine degradable, manufactured products that don’t have marine applications, like our cups, can’t be certified marine degradable to avoid littering.
Benefits of PHA Bioplastic: Here’s Why We Love It
PHA is pending home compostable certification (AS5810 and NFT51-800) due early 2025.
PHA resin is certified degradable when used for products designed in the marine environment.
PHA is made entirely from renewable resources
The paper used in each PHA cup is sourced from FSC™ certified forests
PHA is food-safe
Get To Know PHA
What is PHA?
How is PHA made?
How is PHA different from other cups?
PLA bioplastic is certified industrially compostable (AS4736 and EN13432) meaning it will break down in an industrial facility. However, a lack of infrastructure and legislation in some countries means not everyone has easy access to industrial facilities – making end-of-life disposal difficult. The future lies in home compostable solutions.
Aqueous was our first home compostable solution to Australian and European standards (AS5810 and NFT51-800) – an incredible water-based dispersion coating that gets absorbed into the paper the cup is made from. However, Aqueous lining contains a small amount of fossil-based synthetic polymers (amounts so marginal it’s still able to be certified home compostable).
But as a brand that values constant improvement – we knew we could take it one step further. We found PHA, a solution that doesn’t contain fossil fuel-based plastic in the final cup and is pending home compostable certification to Australian and European standards (AS5810 and NFT51-800).
What does marine biodegradable mean?
PHA resin can be used for products based in marine environments (e.g. fishing or mussel nets, traps, fish attracting devices (FAD), Aquaculture equipment) and only those products are eligible for marine biodegradable certification.
Remember, be wary of the word ‘biodegradable’ on its own without proof through certifications. Everything ‘biodegrades’ eventually – even plastic.
The word biodegradable is acceptable in this context, as it’s been certified to reach at least 90% biodegradation in marine settings within 180 days (source).
Is PHA compostable?
Is PHA food safe?
Why do cups need a coating?
Where do you source the paper for your PHA coffee cups?
When will PHA arrive at BioPak?
Upon the initial launch, PHA lined cups will come at a premium price as it’s a new and innovative material. However, we plan for this price to level out within 12 months, eventually serving as a swap for Aqueous lining with no price increase. The goal is to transition our coffee cup products across to PHA – the future of cups.
Where else is PHA used?
In the agricultural sector, once PHA products are finished with they can be used as a mulching film, often used to prevent weeds from competing with crops, as well as for temperature regulation and moisture retention. PHA can then be ploughed back into the soil to naturally break down.
What’s the difference between fossil-based plastic and bioplastic?
Bioplastic is made from renewable resources (partly or entirely). PHA is a bioplastic made entirely from renewable resources, like plant sugars and vegetable oils. It’s the first coffee cup lining solution to contain no fossil-based materials.
Beware of Greenwashing
Unfortunately, greenwashing is rife in the sustainable packaging industry. Claims like “compostable”, “recyclable” and “biodegradable” can mislead and confuse. There are even claims starting to emerge around PHA that aren’t entirely true. Here’s what you need to remember about these claims.
“COMPOSTABLE”
Look for the home compostable logo on the product, and more importantly, the company’s specific licence number (this can be verified in the Australian Bioplastics Association database).
“RECYCLABLE”
No paper cups are recyclable in kerbside recycling (in Australia and New Zealand). Check for the logo above in your packaging and verify its recyclability at Australasian Recycling Label (ARL).
“BIODEGRADABLE”
Everything “biodegrades” eventually. Check the time it’ll take for the product to biodegrade. Will it take a year or 500 years? It’s time we demand transparency from the manufacturers.
“PLANT BASED”
Some manufacturers want to claim PHA is 100% plant based, although that’s not entirely true. It uses bacteria and archaea in the fermentation process – that’s why we opt for the term bio-derived or bio-based instead.
“PLASTIC-FREE”
PHA is a synthetic polymer, which is technically still a plastic (a bioplastic). As it contains zero fossil fuel-based plastic, it’s a better option than conventional plastic.
PHA vs Aqueous
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PHA is made entirely using bio-based, renewable resources. |
Aqueous is made using a water-based dispersion coating. |
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PHA contains no fossil fuel based plastic in the end product. |
Aqueous contains a small amount of synthetic polymers derived from fossil fuels. |
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PHA is pending home compostable certification to Australian and European Standards (AS5810 and NFT51-800) |
Aqueous is certified home compostable to Australian and European Standards (AS5810 and NFT51-800) |
What Is a Home Compostable Certification?
Certification Logo
This home compostable certification logo verifies a product’s claim of compostability.
Certification Type
This certification indicates the composting type and applicable region. To display the logo, materials must pass strict AS5810 tests at labs accredited by the Australian Bioplastic Association (ABA).
BioPak Licence Number
The unique licence numbers show that a specific business’ product range has passed the testing for compostability. You can search for the numbers on the ABA database.
What Is a Marine Biodegradable Certification?
A marine biodegradable certification means a product has been certified to reach at least 90% biodegradation in marine settings within 180 days (source).
This is certified through OK biodegradable MARINE certification scheme. Remember, a marine environment is not the ideal end of life solution for PHA lined cups – they should be composted in a home or industrial facility. However, in the worst case scenario they end up in the sea, they will break down significantly faster than conventional plastic.
Look for:
Certification Logo
This logo verifies a product’s claim of marine biodegradability.
Certification Type
Look for the ASTM D 6691 certification type.
Shop BioPak’s PHA Range (coming soon)
Learn More About PHA
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Why Do Certifications Matter?Certifications prove that a company or product’s claims are true.
Learn more -
Compostable vs Recyclable: Which Is Better for the Environment?Which is better for the environment, composting or recycling?
Learn more -
What Are PHA-Lined Coffee Cups?A new home compostable material containing no fossil-fuel plastic.
Learn more
Download the Information Flyer
Let’s dig into the truth about home compostable cups, and how you, as the consumer, can avoid greenwashing.
Start Composting at Your Foodservice Business
Compost Connect is a not-for-profit platform connecting foodservice businesses to commercial organic waste pick-up services. With 23 compost partners servicing 2,200+ postcodes across Australia and New Zealand, you can search your postcode to find out if compost collection is available in your area.
We launched Compost Connect to take responsibility for where our packaging ends up. Food and organic waste decomposing in landfill emits methane, a greenhouse gas that’s on average 28 times more potent than CO2. By joining Compost Connect, you’ll be diverting waste from landfill, reducing emissions, showing your commitment to environmental sustainability, and turning your food and packaging waste into nutrient-rich compost!
