Home compostable carrier bags are repeatedly the subject of critical debate and discussion. The question that arises is to what extent the bags are really suitable for home composting. A lower temperature and less controlled conditions are the biggest differences. Since July 2022, a new EU standard has regulated the requirements and specifications for home-compostable carrier bags.
A guest article by Constance Ißbrücker, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Environmental Affairs at European Bioplastics
When the European Packaging Directive was amended in 2015, the focus was on reducing plastic bags. Since then, there have been exceptions for industrially compostable bags, among others from PLA or starch blends, for example. At the same time, discussions began about applications that also degrade in home compost, i.e. at lower temperatures and under less controlled conditions. France had already issued a ban on conventional plastic bags and film packaging in 2017 and only allows bio-based and home compostable options, supported by a national standard (NF-T 51 800) that includes corresponding requirements for home compostable plastics.
Based on the French standard, the EN 17427 standard (DIN EN 17427:2022 "Packaging - Requirements and test methods for home compostable carrier bags") has been developed at European level in recent years and was published in July 2022. This is limited to home compostable carrier bags. In addition to The standard also includes requirements for disintegration and biodegradability as well as specifications for extensive ecotoxicity tests and clear rules on environmentally hazardous substances and substances of very high concern.
The big difference between home composting and industrial composting, where the temperature is usually between 50 and 70 °C, is of course the temperature. In addition to the low ambient temperature, however, the handling of the compost also plays a major role. This is why the new EU standard also includes guidelines for controlled home composting, under which the certified bags then also decompose.
However, EN 13432 (DIN EN 13432:2000-12 "Packaging - Requirements for the recovery of packaging by composting and biodegradation - Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the classification of packaging") remains the most important standard for the composting of plastic products, which supports the collection of more biowaste. Some kitchen waste, such as meat and fish, is not suitable for home composting as it has a particularly high energy content. The Home composting can therefore supplement industrial composting, but not replace it.
In recent years, EN 13432 has been increasingly criticised, which is one of the reasons why it is currently being revised. Some of the stricter composting requirements for home composting will most likely also be included in this revised version of EN 13432, which means that the standard will continue to be a reliable basis for the certification of industrially compostable bags and packaging.
