It is important to be aware of the difference between the terms biodegradable and compostable which are often used incorrectly, creating misunderstandings and incorrect evaluations and comparisons between different products defined as “low environmental impact”
The European standard relating to “Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation – Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging is the CEN EN 13432: 2002, it defines the characteristics that a packaging must posses in order to be called compostable. This standard is the reference point for producers, public authorities, composters and consumers.

According to UNI EN 13432: 2002, the characteristics that a compostable packaging must have are the following:

Biodegradability, ie the metabolic conversion of the compostable material into carbon dioxide. This property is measured with a standard test method: prEN 14046 (also published as ISO 14855: biodegradability under controlled composting conditions). The acceptance level is 90% (compared to cellulose) to be reached in less than 6 months.
Disintegrability, ie fragmentation and loss of visibility in the final compost (absence of visual contamination). Measured with a pilot scale composting test (prEN 14045). Samples of the test material are composted together with organic waste for 3 months. At the end the compost is sifted with a 2 mm sieve. The mass of residues of test material with dimensions> 2 mm must be less than 10% of the initial mass.
Absence of negative effects on the composting process. Verified with a composting test on a pilot scale.
Low levels of heavy metals (below the predefined maximum values) and absence of negative effects on the quality of the compost (example: reduction of the agronomic value and presence of ecotoxicological effects on the growth of plants). A plant growth test (modified OECD 208 test) is performed on compost samples where the degradation of the test material occurred. No difference must be highlighted with a control compost.
Other chemical-physical parameters that must not change after the degradation of the material under study: pH; salt content; volatile solids; N; P; mg; K.

Each of these points is necessary for the definition of compostability but alone is not sufficient. For example, a biodegradable material is not necessarily compostable because it must also disintegrate during a composting cycle. On the other hand, a material that shatters during a composting cycle in microscopic pieces that are not biodegradable is not compostable.

A compostable certified material based on the UNI EN 13432: 2002 standard, like BIOPAP® containers, is therefore biodegradable and compostable.

In addition to complying with the UNI EN 13432: 2002 standard, compostable certified products must guarantee their correct disintegration in composting plants on a real scale. BIOPAP® containers are CIC Compostable, a real value for the supply chain and for the products that can boast of this prestigious brand. We were the 3rd company in Italy to certify its products back in 2009.

The value of Compostable CIC is highlighted by 3 factors that make it unique on the international scene:

1) Compostable CIC is the only European compostability Label managed by the Composters’c Consortium, the link in the supply chain that has the responsibility to treat organic waste and guarantee its quality to complete the circularity of the mission to return it to agriculture.

2) Compostable CIC is the only European compostability Label that performs annual audits performed by independent auditors under the auspices of Certiquality, to verify the compliance of the originally certified supply chains and to sample and test certified products annually

3) Compostable CIC is the only European compostability Label to carry out disintegration tests in heaps on a real scale and not in the laboratory to ensure that the products disintegrate under the conditions of the industrial processes at which they end their life. On a real scale the temperature and humidity parameters are monitored but are not set.

We are proud of our license No. 003 Compostable CIC, we are proud of ​​the journey made sofar.

– licence n.003-005-P1012 BIOPAP® LP trays

– licence n.003-052-P1012 BIOPAP® LC trays

– licence n.003-095-P1012 BIOPAP® MAP trays

Here are some pictures taken during a disintegration test in heaps, on a real scale of the BIOPAP® containers according to the UNI EN 13432: 2002 standard:

Full Compostability of BIOPAP® at AMSA Milano.

Showcase of large scale biowaste management best practice. Turning a waste into a resource.

In addition, we decided to go further and apply for OK compost HOME® certification, which evaluates compostability under home composting conditions. The OK compost HOME® certification stipulates that the disintegration of the packaging takes place under conditions that are more difficult for microorganisms to perform their role, with lower overall temperature and humidity. This ensures that the product can also disintegrate in the home composter and will therefore also disintegrate very well on an industrial scale. The OK compost HOME® S2251 certificate is a further milestone to demonstrate the strong eco-design of BIOPAP® LC and BIOPAP® LP trays and the improved compostability also in home composting equipment. Together, the CIC Compostable certification and the OK compost HOME® certification ensure that BIOPAP® LC and BIOPAP® LP trays will fit perfectly in any scale, from the garden composter to your municipality’s industrial composting facility, helping to significantly reduce the amount of bio-waste that has to be incinerated or taken to landfill.

Below, in succession, are some photographs taken during the home disintegration test of BIOPAP® LC (first photo) and BIOPAP® LP (second photo) containers