Are Biodegradable Bags Compostable?

Oct 18

1 min read

Not necessarily. A biodegradable bag is not automatically compostable, and mixing up the two words is one of the most common mistakes eco-minded shoppers make.

Biodegradable vs. compostable

	Biodegradable	Certified compostable
What it means	Breaks down eventually, through natural processes	Turns completely into compost under defined conditions
Time frame	Not defined, can be decades	Set by the standard it is certified to
Residue	Can leave microplastics	Must leave no toxic residue
Proof	Often none	Independent lab testing and certification

In short, every compostable bag is biodegradable, but very few biodegradable bags are compostable.

How to check a bag

Look for a named standard and a certification body on the package or the brand’s website. Words like “eco”, “green” or “earth-friendly” on their own are marketing, not proof.

Earthmate’s proof

Earthmate dog poop bags are certified home compostable to NF T51-800:2015, registered with DIN CERTCO, and you can download the test report on our website. According to that page, they compost completely and safely in soil or in a municipal composting facility, just as paper or food scraps would.

See the certification for yourself: Earthmate technology and certification.