During a panel discussion at the InventU Sustainable Future Conference I attended on March 13th I asked the audience a simple question: “Where should we dispose of biodegradable and compostable plastics?”
Surprisingly, the answer wasn’t clear—even among experts in the room. Some thought they belonged in recycling bins, others suggested organic waste, while a few admitted they weren’t sure at all.
This uncertainty says a lot. Despite their environmental promise, biodegradable, biobased, and compostable plastics aren’t yet compatible with our current waste management systems. Here’s why—and what it means for the future.
Biodegradable, Biobased, and Compostable Plastics: Why They Don’t Yet Fit into Our Waste System
As the world seeks alternatives to fossil-based plastics, materials marketed as biodegradable, biobased, or compostable are gaining traction. These plastics promise environmental benefits such as reduced carbon footprints and better end-of-life options. But despite the optimism, there’s a harsh reality: these alternatives don’t yet align with Europe’s current waste management infrastructure. And without major changes, they may be doing more harm than good.
The Compatibility Problem
At a glance, biodegradable or compostable plastics seem like a step forward. In reality, however, they present unique challenges at every stage of the waste stream.
- Consumers are Confused
One of the biggest hurdles is a lack of consumer understanding. Packaging that claims to be “eco-friendly” or “biodegradable” is often thrown into general recycling, organic bins, or even landfills—because people don’t know what the correct disposal route is. Labeling is inconsistent, and the terminology is often misleading. - Sorting Systems Can’t Tell Them Apart
Most waste sorting facilities use automated systems—optical sorters, infrared scanners, and conveyor belts—that can’t distinguish between compostable and conventional plastics. As a result, biodegradable plastics are often mixed with recyclables, contaminating the recycling stream and reducing the quality of recycled materials. - End-of-Life Treatment Is Not in Place
Even if a product is technically compostable, the industrial infrastructure to treat it often doesn’t exist—or it’s available only in select regions. For example, many compostable plastics require high-temperature industrial composting to fully break down. In the absence of such facilities, these materials either end up in landfills or incinerators, defeating their environmental purpose.
Change Is Coming
Despite the current challenges, progress is underway. The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is pushing for the increased use of alternative materials, including biobased and compostable plastics, where appropriate. As adoption grows, so too will the urgency to address the infrastructure gap.
This regulatory shift signals that these materials will become more common in the coming years—but that also means we must urgently prepare our systems to handle them.
What Needs to Happen?
To integrate biodegradable and compostable plastics into a truly circular economy, several key developments are essential:
- Clear labelling and consumer education to prevent mis-sorting.
- Upgraded sorting technology capable of identifying and separating alternative plastics.
- Expanded access to industrial composting facilities, especially in urban areas.Policy alignment across Member States to ensure consistent collection and treatment.
Building a Future-Ready Waste System
Biobased and compostable plastics have potential—but only if they’re treated correctly at the end of their life. Without the infrastructure to match, they risk becoming just another waste stream, adding confusion rather than solving the plastic crisis.
As Europe works toward plastic circularity, updating the waste management system to accommodate these materials is not optional—it’s essential. The time to adapt is now, before the volumes of alternative plastics overwhelm systems designed for an entirely different era of packaging.
