Are All Biobased Products Biodegradable?
Biobased products are made from plant-based materials, but they are not necessarily biodegradable or compostable. Biodegradable products can be made from a variety of materials. They are designed to decompose into smaller units in the presence of naturally occurring micro organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae. Some products biodegrade into potentially hazardous substances. Compostable products are a type of biodegradable product that also decompose in the presence of naturally occurring micro-organisms. Compostable products, however, produce only carbon dioxide, water, and non-toxic inorganic compounds when they decompose. Purchasers interested in biodegradable or compostable products must specify them referencing ASTM standards D6400 (bio-degradable) or D6868 (compostable). Biobased products will not necessarily meet these additional requirements. Biobased Product Examples A surprisingly wide variety of products can contain biobased content. The following examples provide a qui
