How to dispose of your BioPak packaging
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BioPak packaging is better for the environment at its outset. Even if sent to landfill, it is a more sustainable option than using conventional plastic.
Industrial Composting
PLA lined paper cups and boxes can be composted in industrial facilities via your residential Food Organics and Green Organics (FOGO) collections – check with your council as not all FOGO collections accept packaging. If you are a business, find out how you can start composting at The Compost Network for less than $1/day.
Compost certifications
Paper BioCups are certified industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 and European EN13432 standards. Our lined BioBoard range is made from the same material as our cups and the certification is in progress.
Home Composting
The Ingeo™ PLA bioplastic lining that we use for our paper cups and boxes is not certified home compostable as it does not biodegrade in home compost conditions within the testing timeframe.
We have documented cups successfully composted in a home-compost simulation but as conditions are variable certification cannot be issued.
Recycling
Paper lined with either PLA bioplastic or PE plastic is not accepted in most mixed or paper recycling streams. Some facilities can recycle them, so check with your local council to check in your area.
We have marked them here as not recyclable in alignment with the Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Portal (PREP) – an independent tool that verifies what packaging is or isn’t recyclable in Australian and New Zealand kerbside collections.
Industrial Composting
Aqueous-lined paper cups may be composted in industrial facilities via your residential Food Organics and Green Organics (FOGO) collections – check with your council as not all FOGO collections accept packaging. If you are a business, find out how you can start composting through Compost Connect for less than $1/day.
Compost certifications
Aqueous lined paper cups are certified industrially compostable to European EN13432 standards.
Home Composting
No aqueous-lined paper cups have been certified home compostable at this stage. Please be careful of companies greenwashing – any claims that water-proof linings are either plastic-free or home compostable are false and misleading. BioPak is working closely with the only three global manufacturers of this lining and neither claims are authorised yet. BioPak’s Aqueous lined BioCups are certified industrially compostable to European standards EN13432 and are undergoing the composting processs to achieve Australian Industrial composting standards. We choose to invest in aqueous lining as there is continuing and significant R&D to evolve this material to a truly home compostable and plastic-free solution, and we are in the process of certifying these cups to both Australian AS5810 and European NT T51-800 home compostability standards.
Recycling
No aqueous-lined paper cups are accepted in the paper mixed recycling stream and they could potentially contaminate the clean paper recysling stream. Their best end-of-life solution is through industrial composting.
We have marked them here as not recyclable in alignment with the Packaging Evaluation Portal (PREP) – an independent tool that verifies what packaging is or isn’t recyclable in Australia and New Zealand.
Industrial Composting
Our 100% paper products can be composted via your residential Food Organics and Green Organics (FOGO) collections – check with your council as not all FOGO collections accept packaging. If you are a business, find out how you can start composting through Compost Connect for less than $1/day.
Paper and cardboard are considered processed fibrous organics and fit within the EPA’s organics category 1 which is suitable for compost feedstock. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is the primary environmental regulator in Australia and protects the community and our environment.
Home Composting
100% paper products are readily compostable in your home compost.
They are a source of carbon that can help with maintaining the carbon-nitrogen balance of your compost pile.
They have passed the Australian compost certification worm toxicity test which means they are not toxic to worms or soil.
Recycling
100% paper is recyclable in the paper recycling stream. However, it needs to be fairly clean which is not always the case with food packaging. Unlined BioBoard, paper bags and straws are accepted in the recycling stream, but not napkins.
Recyclability is verified by the Packaging Evaluation Portal (PREP) – an independent tool that verifies what packaging is or isn’t recyclable in Australia and New Zealand.
Industrial Composting
Our wood products can be composted via your residential Food Organics and Green Organics (FOGO) collections – check with your council as not all FOGO collections accept packaging. If you are a business, find out how you can start composting through Compost Connect for less than $1/day.
Wood packaging is considered untreated timber and fits within the EPA’s organics category 1 which is suitable for compost feedstock. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is the primary environmental regulator in Australia and protects the community and our environment.
Home Composting
BioPak wooden cutlery is readily compostable in your home compost and would take the same amount of time to compost as any other woody garden waste.
They are a source of carbon that can help with maintaining the carbon-nitrogen balance of your compost pile.
Recycling
Wood products are not accepted in mixed or paper recycling streams. Their best end-of-life solution is through composting.
We have marked them here as not recyclable in alignment with the Packaging Evaluation Portal (PREP) – an independent tool that verifies what packaging is or isn’t recyclable in Australia and New Zealand.
Industrial Composting
Clear PLA products and PLA hot cup lids can be composted in industrial facilities via your residential Food Organics and Green Organics (FOGO) collections – check with your council as not all FOGO collections accept packaging. If you are a business, find out how you can start composting through Compost Connect for less than $1/day.
Compost certifications
Clear PLA products and PLA hot cup lids are certified industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 and European EN13432 standards.
Home Composting
The hard bioplastic we use in our clear cups, clear lids and hot cup lids is not certified home compostable as it does not biodegrade in home compost conditions within the testing time frame.
Recycling
Hard bioplastic products are not accepted in the mixed recycling stream. While bioplastic is technically recyclable, large scale infrastructure to process PLA (material category 7) is not well established. Their best end-of-life solution is through composting.
We have marked them here as not recyclable in alignment with the Packaging Evaluation Portal (PREP) – an independent tool that verifies what packaging is or isn’t recyclable in Australia and New Zealand.
Industrial Composting
Soft bioplastic products can be composted in industrial facilities via your residential Food Organics and Green Organics (FOGO) collections – check with your council as not all FOGO collections accept packaging. If you are a business, find out how you can start composting through Compost Connect for less than $1/day.
Compost certifications
Soft bioplastic products are certified industrially compostable to Australian AS4736.
Home Composting
BioPak soft bioplastic products biodegrade in home compost conditions within the home certification testing time frame.
They are not suitable for worm farms.
Compost certifications
BioPak bioplastic bags, gloves and film for sleeves are certified home compostable to Australian AS5810.
Recycling
Soft bioplastic products are not accepted in the mixed recycling stream. Their best end-of-life solution is through composting.
We have marked them here as not recyclable in alignment with the Packaging Evaluation Portal (PREP) – an independent tool that verifies what packaging is or isn’t recyclable in Australia and New Zealand.
Industrial Composting
Where compostable plant-based lids are not as functional, still very expensive or the raw material is in short supply we offer a very limited range of plastic alternatives. These will phased out by 2025, we are always looking for better and more innovative replacements. All our plastic products are well marked and not compostable.
Home Composting
Where compostable plant-based lids are not as functional, still very expensive or the raw material is in short supply we offer a very limited range of plastic alternatives. These will phased out by 2025, we are always looking for better and more innovative replacements. All our plastic products are well marked and not compostable.
Recycling
Where compostable plant-based lids are not as functional, still very expensive or the raw material is in short supply we offer a very limited range of plastic alternatives. These will phased out by 2025, we are always looking for better and more innovative replacements. All our plastic products are well marked and not compostable.
Why is composting is the best recycling choice for the food service industry?
Composting is recycling! Paper, metal, plastic and glass recycling are all high quality material recovery waste streams, however the vast majority of food packaging is not recycled.
It’s either too small to be sorted by recycling plants, is usually contaminated with food, or it is made of various materials that can’t be separated easily.
That’s why we believe in composting as the perfect end-of-life option for foodservice packaging. Packaging and food waste can all go in one bin, the green one, to be composted industrially.
Food waste emits methane in landfill, a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting helps avoid these emissions, while creating compost, a nutrient-rich resource that can be used to improve soil quality.
What Happens If My BioPak Packaging Ends up in Landfill?
Regardless of how our products are disposed of, they are designed to be a more sustainable option than plastic. This is because they have a smaller carbon footprint than conventional plastic and because they are made from rapidly renewable, plant-based materials rather than finite fossil fuels.
Raw materials choice is the largest contributor to the carbon footprint of a product, around 40%. Our entire range is carbon neutral, which means we calculate and offset (neutralise) the carbon created for all our products, including the carbon emissions they would create if they end up in landfill. Disposal accounts for an average of 16% of the carbon footprint of our products. So if they are organically recycled/composted they become carbon positive! Read more
Start Composting
Divert food and packaging from landfill and reverse climate change. Simply search your postcode and find your local composter and start making nutrient-rich compost.
Is Your Council Composting?
Did you know that 53 councils in Australia accept compostable packaging in their residential organics bin?
Learn More About Waste Minimisation
Circular Economy
Collaboration creates innovations, see how we changed fresh food packaging at Woolworths. Learn more
