Home compostable certification scheme launched

The Association for Organics Recycling (AfOR) has this week launched a ‘Home Compostable' certification scheme and certification mark for the UK.  Due to the increasing number of ‘compostable' packaging and plastics products being developed, the association has teamed up with Belgian certification specialist AIB Vinçotte to develop the scheme. It sets out the criteria packaging needs to meet in order to be deemed ‘home compostable’ and measures products against them.

Four tests may need to be completed in order to gain accreditaion. These are:

• biodegradation;
• disintegration;
• eco toxicity; and;
• chemical analysis.

The disintegration test requires that at least 90% of a product fragments within nine months. 

It differs from the ‘industrially compostable' standard EN 13432 because this test uses laboratory-scale composting conditions that are equivalent to industrial conditions rather than home composting ones.

While ‘Home Compostable' packaging/plastic waste can be commercially composted, it is anticipated that the certification mark will direct this material into home composting bins, thus helping to reduce the resources, costs and carbon related impacts associated with kerbside collection, treatment and disposal. At present, there are around three-and-a-half million home composters operating in Britain.

Further details about the new scheme for ‘Home Compostable' packaging and plastic products can be found on AFOR's website.