Composting · Decision rules

Home vs Industrial Compostable: Which Should You Choose?

Four decision rules resolve the choice in under a minute — match the packaging to your customer's disposal reality.

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OK COMPOST HOMETÜV AUSTRIA

EN 13432INDUSTRIAL

The four decision rules

The question behind "home vs industrial compostable" is rarely about science — it is about where your packaging will actually end up.

Municipal programs and high-traffic venues (cities, stadiums, food service): choose industrial compostable certified to EN 13432 or ASTM D6400. These customers route waste to managed facilities running at 58°C+, where industrial-grade materials break down within 90–180 days.

Consumer retail and e-commerce: choose home compostable with the OK Compost HOME mark. Most consumers cannot access an industrial facility — a home-compostable claim is the only one they can verify in their own backyard.

Mixed or unknown end markets: lead with industrial certification (the wider standard) and offer home-compostable as a premium line. Never print a home-compostable claim on a package that only holds industrial certification.

California buyers: SB 1053's labelling and certification requirements apply regardless of route — the question there is not home versus industrial but whether your certification documentation is complete.

Product lines by disposal route

Dog Bags includes OK Compost HOME-certified formats; the remaining lines are EN 13432 / ASTM D6400 industrial-grade. Per-SKU certification details are on each product page.

Dog Bags Shopping Bags Food Bags General Bags

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between home and industrial compostable?

The disposal environment. Industrial compostable materials break down at 58°C+ in managed facilities within 90–180 days. Home compostable materials break down at ambient backyard temperatures, typically within 12 months. Many PLA+PBAT blends can be formulated for either route.

Which is more expensive?

Home-compostable certification is the premium tier — the stricter ambient-temperature testing adds cost. If your customers dispose through municipal organics programs, industrial certification is the cost-efficient choice.

Can one product carry both certifications?

Yes, if the finished product is certified for both routes — uncommon but available on request. Both marks then appear on the pack, and both certificate files ship in the compliance pack.

Compliance-ready catalogue

Compare certified formats for both disposal routes in the catalogue.

Download compliance catalogue