In the age of sustainability and growing environmental awareness, words like biodegradable, compostable, and bio-based are everywhere. But what do they really mean — and how do they differ?

If you’re a food brand, medical supplier, or packaging distributor looking to make responsible choices, understanding these terms is essential. In this guide, we break it down clearly and practically, so you can choose packaging that’s not only good for your brand — but good for the planet, too.

Biodegradable Packaging: What It Means

Biodegradable packaging is made from materials that break down naturally through biological processes — typically involving bacteria, fungi, or other living organisms.

1. Breaks down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass
2. No toxic residues if properly designed
3. No guarantee of where or how fast it breaks down

Key Point:
“Biodegradable” does not mean it will degrade quickly or safely in all conditions. For example, many so-called biodegradable plastics only degrade in high-temperature industrial composters — not in landfills or oceans.

Good to Know:
All compostable materials are biodegradable — but not all biodegradable materials are compostable.

Compostable Packaging: The Gold Standard?

Compostable packaging goes one step further. It biodegrades under specific conditions and transforms into nutrient-rich compost without leaving toxic residues behind.

There are two main types:

• Industrial compostable: Breaks down in 45–90 days in controlled environments (heat, oxygen, moisture).
• Home compostable: Degrades in backyard compost piles without special equipment.

1.   Certified to leave no harmful substances
2.   Can return safely to the soil as compost
3.   Requires the right infrastructure or home composting habits

Certifications matter!
Look for labels like EN 13432, ASTM D6400, or OK Compost Home to ensure compostability is verified.

Ecovive packaging is designed to meet composting criteria in industrial and home settings — while maintaining food and medical-grade safety.

Bio-Based Packaging: Derived from Nature

Bio-based refers to what the packaging is made of, not necessarily what happens after you throw it away.

Bio-based materials are produced from renewable biological resources such as:

• Corn starch
• Sugarcane
• Cellulose (plant fibers)
• Agricultural or forestry byproducts

1. Lower carbon footprint vs fossil fuels
2. Supports circular economy and resource renewal
3. Not always biodegradable or compostable

Some bio-based plastics (like Bio-PET) function like traditional plastics — recyclable, but not compostable.

At Ecovive, our packaging is made from lignocellulosic residues — a byproduct of forestry and agriculture — which means we don’t compete with food crops and avoid monoculture risks. And yes — it’s also compostable and biodegradable.

 Comparison Table: Biodegradable vs Compostable vs Bio-Based

Why Understanding These Terms Matters

Choosing the wrong material could mean:

• Your product doesn’t comply with the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive
• Your packaging doesn’t break down as expected
• Your customers lose trust in your brand’s “green” image

Ecovive helps businesses avoid this confusion by delivering packaging that is:

1. 100% bio-based
2. Compostable in home and industrial settings
3. Certified safe for food and medical use
4. Designed to reduce CO₂, plastic waste, and environmental harm

 Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re serious about reducing your carbon footprint, meeting SUP regulations, and delivering on your ESG goals, compostable and bio-based solutions like Ecovive’s lignocellulosic packaging are your best bet.

👉 Ready to make the switch?
Request a free sample or Contact us to design your custom packaging