Home Composting: What Does Compostable Packaging Need?

Materials & Certification · Packaging Knowledge

Can compostable packaging go into a backyard bin? BPI explains that home and industrial composting operate under different conditions. Certification for industrial composting alone does not establish suitability for a home system.

Home piles are generally cooler and more affected by weather. Moisture, oxygen and active microorganisms influence decomposition, so a home-compostable certification does not promise immediate breakdown.

Choose products specifically certified for home composting and follow their instructions. Maintaining a balanced mix of food scraps and dry plant material, suitable moisture and regular aeration supports the process. Product thickness and construction also affect the time needed.

For packaging buyers, matching certification and disposal instructions to the intended use helps customers understand how to handle packaging after use.

Adapted from BPI’s article published on September 18, 2026. Read the original: Composting Certified Compostable Products at Home: What It Really Takes to Succeed →