How to dispose of your BioPak packaging
Choose a Product to See Your Options
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.
Industrial Composting
PLA lined paper cups and boxes are certified industrially compostable. However, in Singapore, 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.
Compost Certifications
Our Paper BioCups and BioBoard range are certified industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 and European EN13432 standards.
Home Composting
The Ingeo™ PLA bioplastic lining that we use for our paper cups and boxes is not certified home compostable as it does not biodegrade in home compost conditions within the testing timeframe.
We have documented these cups successfully compost in a home compost simulation, however, as conditions are variable a certification cannot be issued.
If you’re looking for a certified home compostable coffee cup solution, discover our aqueous-lined cups!
Recycling
Paper lined with either PLA bioplastic or PE plastic is not accepted in most mixed or paper recycling streams. Some facilities can recycle them, so always check with your local area for the latest information.
Industrial Composting
Our BioCane plant fibre packaging with no added PFAS is certified industrially compostable. However, in Singapore, 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.
Compost Certifications
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.
Home Composting
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.
Compost Certifications
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.
Recycling
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.
Industrial Composting
Aqueous-lined paper cups are certified industrially compostable. However, in Singapore, 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.
Compost Certifications
Aqueous lined paper cups are certified industrially compostable to European EN13432 standards, and will soon be certified industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 standards.
Home Composting
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!
Recycling
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.
Industrial Composting
Our 100% paper products are certified industrially compostable. However, in Singapore, 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.
Home Composting
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.
Recycling
Unlined board or paper products are recyclable in the paper recycling stream. However, they need to be clean with no food residue remaining.
Industrial Composting
Our wood products are certified industrially compostable. However, in Singapore, 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.
Home Composting
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.
Recycling
Wood products are not accepted in mixed or paper recycling streams. The best end-of-life solution is composting.
Industrial Composting
Clear PLA products and PLA hot cup lids are certified industrially compostable. However, in Singapore, 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.
Compost Certifications
Clear PLA products and PLA hot cup lids are certified industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 and European EN13432 standards.
Home Composting
The hard bioplastic we use in our clear cups, clear lids and hot cup lids is not certified home compostable as it does not biodegrade in home compost conditions within the testing time frame.
Recycling
Hard bioplastic products are not accepted in the mixed recycling stream. While bioplastic is technically recyclable, large-scale infrastructure to process PLA (material category 7) is not well established. Therefore, the best end-of-life solution is through commercial composting.
Industrial Composting
BioPak’s soft bioplastic products are certified industrially compostable. However, in Singapore, 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.
Compost Certifications
Soft bioplastic products are certified industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 standards.
Home Composting
BioPak soft bioplastic products can biodegrade in home compost conditions within the home certification testing time frame.
Compost Certifications
BioPak bioplastic bags, gloves and film for sleeves are certified home compostable to Australian AS5810 standards.
Recycling
Soft bioplastic products are not accepted in the mixed recycling stream. The best end-of-life solution is composting.
Industrial Composting
Where compostable plant-based lids are not as functional, still very expensive, or the raw material is in short supply, we offer a very limited range of plastic alternatives. These will be phased out by 2025.
At BioPak, we’re always looking for better and more innovative replacements. All of our fossil-based plastic products are well-marked and not compostable.
Home Composting
Where compostable plant-based lids are not as functional, still very expensive or the raw material is in short supply, we offer a very limited range of plastic alternatives. These will be phased out by 2025.
At BioPak, we’re always looking for better and more innovative replacements. All of our fossil-based plastic products are well-marked and not compostable.
Recycling
In many cases, our fossil-based plastic lids are accepted in the traditional recycling streams. However, they need to be clean with no food residue remaining.
At a Glance: What to Do With Compostable Packaging
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)
Does a Composting Certification Really Matter?
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.
Signs of Greenwashing – Incorrectly Used Compostable 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.
What Recycling Labels Should You Look For to Know the Truth?
In Australia and New Zealand, you should always look for the Australasian Recycling Labels (ARL logos) developed by APCO in conjunction with the Australian Government.
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.
Why Is Composting the Best Recycling Choice for Foodservice Packaging?
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.
What Happens if BioPak Packaging Ends Up in Landfill?
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.
Start Composting at Your Foodservice Business
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 Singapore, Compost Connect acts as an educational platform, showing businesses and consumers innovative ways to compost at home and in your business.
Learn More
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What Are the Different Types of Composting?Learn about the different types of home and industrial composting methods.
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