Author: HEMCbags Technical Team | BPI and OK Compost Certified Manufacturer | 10+ Years Experience

Quick Answer: The key difference between home compostable vs industrial compostable packaging is the environment and temperature required for breakdown. Home compostable packaging decomposes in backyard compost piles at ambient temperatures (around 25°C) within 6-12 months. Industrial compostable packaging requires high-heat facilities (55-60°C) and breaks down within 90-180 days. A home compostable product will also work in industrial facilities, but the reverse is not true .

Key Takeaways:

• ✔ Home compostable = backyard compost bin (ambient temperature, slower)
• ✔ Industrial compostable = municipal composting facility (high heat, faster)
• ✔ Home compostable works in industrial facilities; industrial compostable does NOT work in home piles
• ✔ Look for OK Compost HOME or BPI Commercial & Home for home use
• ✔ Look for BPI, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL, or EN 13432 for industrial use

Home Compostable vs Industrial Compostable: What’s the Difference？

The difference comes down to one thing: temperature .

The most important rule: A home compostable product will also break down in an industrial facility. But an industrial compostable product is not designed to reliably break down in home composting conditions and may remain intact for a very long time .

Which Certification Do You Need？ A Decision Tree

Where will the product be composted?
↓
HOME COMPOST PILE
↓
Look for OK Compost HOME logo or BPI Commercial & Home logo
↓
INDUSTRIAL FACILITY
↓
Look for BPI, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL, or EN 13432
↓
BOTH
↓
Look for OK Compost HOME or BPI Commercial & Home
(Home compostable works in both environments)

Remember: Home compostable = works in both. Industrial compostable = works only in industrial facilities.

HEMCbags Technical Insight

At HEMCbags, we’ve supplied more than 50 million certified compostable bags to customers across North America and Europe. The single biggest misconception we encounter is this:

“If it says compostable, it should break down in my backyard, right?”

Wrong. Most certified compostable products are industrial compostable only. When customers put these bags in their backyard piles and find them intact months later, they blame the product. In reality, they used the wrong product for the wrong environment.

That’s why we always ask: “Where will your customers compost?” The answer determines which certification you need .

Real-World Examples: Which Product for Which Use？

What Does Home Compostable Mean?

Home compostable means a product can break down completely in a domestic composting environment—a backyard compost pile, a rotating drum composter, or a community garden bin .

Key Characteristics

• Temperature: Around 25°C (77°F) — ambient conditions
• Timeframe: 6-12 months for complete breakdown
• Process: Slower, less controlled, relies on natural microbial activity

According to the Intertek Compostable Certification Program, home compost piles have lower and less consistent temperatures than industrial facilities, typically operating around 20-30°C compared to 58°C in commercial systems . This makes home composting a more difficult, slower-paced process .

Certifications for Home Compostable

According to the TÜV Austria OK Compost certification program, OK Compost HOME certification does not refer to a single standard. Instead, it was developed by TÜV Austria in 2003 and has since served as the basis for multiple national home compostability standards.

In 2025, BPI launched its Commercial & Home Compostable Certification program, allowing products to carry a single label for both environments. According to BPI’s equivalency table, the BPI Home Compostability Certification exceeds the requirements of OK Compost HOME in some areas, including stricter heavy metal limits and more rigorous disintegration testing.

Certification Logo Gallery

Look for these logos to identify genuine certified products:

What Does Industrial Compostable Mean？

Industrial compostable means a product is designed to break down in large-scale composting facilities with controlled conditions .

Key Characteristics

• Temperature: 55-60°C (131-140°F) — maintained throughout the process
• Timeframe: 90-180 days
• Process: Controlled humidity, regular aeration, optimized conditions

Industrial composting facilities handle large volumes of waste and monitor conditions to ensure rapid, efficient decomposition. These facilities are a key part of the circular economy, particularly for food service operators, stadiums, universities, and caterers .

Certifications for Industrial Compostable

The Four EN 13432 Tests

To earn OK Compost INDUSTRIAL certification, products must pass four tests :

1. Biodegradation — Chemical breakdown of the polymer (≥90% carbon conversion within 6 months)
2. Disintegration — Physical breakdown into small fragments (under 2mm within 12 weeks)
3. Ecotoxicity — No negative effect on plant growth
4. Heavy metal limits — Strict limits on toxic elements

Industrial vs Home Compostable: Side-by-Side Comparison

Which One Should You Choose？

For Homeowners

• Need bags for kitchen scraps in a backyard pile → OK Compost HOME or BPI Commercial & Home
• Check your local guidelines before buying—not all home compost piles reach the temperature required for home certification

For Retailers

• Stocking products for consumers who compost at home → OK Compost HOME certified products
• Stocking products for green bin programs → BPI or OK Compost INDUSTRIAL
• Clearly label which certification is on the product to avoid confusion

For Municipalities

• Providing liners for residents → BPI or OK Compost INDUSTRIAL
• Green bin programs typically require industrial compostable certification
• Check with your facility operator before purchasing

For Brands

• Private label packaging → ask: “Where will my customers compost?”
• If the answer includes “both home and industrial” → choose OK Compost HOME or BPI Commercial & Home
• If the answer is “industrial only” → BPI or OK Compost INDUSTRIAL is sufficient

Common Mistakes

Many buyers and consumers make the same mistakes when it comes to compostable packaging:

Why Does This Difference Matter？

For Consumers

Buying a product labeled “compostable” without checking the certification can lead to frustration. If you put an industrial compostable bag in your backyard pile, it will not break down as expected—you’ll find it months later, still intact .

For Businesses

Choosing the wrong certification can mean:

• Customer complaints — when products don’t break down as expected
• Compliance issues — if your local facility requires a specific certification
• Brand damage — when customers perceive your product as “greenwashing”

In the EU, the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will require certain packaging types to be industrially compostable from February 2028. European Bioplastics supports the upcoming harmonisation of home compostability standards under the PPWR, noting that home composting should be seen as a complementary option within the broader organic waste management system.

According to the European Parliament, the Commission will request harmonised standards for home compostability by 12 February 2026, based on the latest scientific and technological developments.

For Municipalities

Industrial composting facilities need products that break down within their processing windows. Products that are “home compostable only” may not be accepted—and some facilities reject all compostable plastics regardless of certification .

Common Myths

Myth 1: “Compostable” means it works anywhere

False. “Compostable” without a specific certification usually means industrial compostable only. Always check the logo .

Myth 2: Industrial compostable products will eventually break down at home

False. They are not designed to reliably break down in home composting conditions and may remain intact for a very long time because temperatures never reach the 55-60°C required for industrial breakdown .

Myth 3: Home compostable is better than industrial compostable

False. They serve different purposes. Home compostable offers flexibility where industrial infrastructure doesn’t exist. Industrial compostable is designed for scale and speed .

Myth 4: Biodegradable and compostable mean the same thing

False. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, biodegradable has no specified timeframe or conditions, while compostable requires breakdown within a defined timeframe under specific conditions .

Regulatory Trends: The Future of Compostability

EU PPWR (2028)

From February 2028, the following packaging types must be industrially compostable in the EU:

• Sticky labels on fruit and vegetables
• Permeable tea, coffee, and beverage bags
• Soft single-serve units disposed with the product

Member states may also require home compostability for additional packaging types where infrastructure exists.

Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (2026)

Singapore launched new categories for Home Compostable (044A) and Industrial Compostable (044B) products in January 2026, providing clearer definitions for the market.

Washington State Law

Washington State requires that products labeled “home compostable” must also meet ASTM standards for industrial composting—meaning they cannot be “home compostable only.”

BPI’s New Home Certification (2025)

The Biodegradable Products Institute now certifies products for both commercial and home composting, with the home certification requiring additional testing at lower temperatures.

How to Identify Genuine Home vs Industrial Compostable Products

Tip: Look for the certification logo, not just the word “compostable.”

FAQ

Conclusion

The difference between home compostable and industrial compostable packaging is straightforward once you understand the temperature requirements.

Key takeaways:

• Home compostable = works in backyard piles (ambient temperature, 6-12 months)
• Industrial compostable = requires municipal facilities (55-60°C, 90-180 days)
• Home compostable works in both environments; industrial compostable is not designed to work at home
• Look for OK Compost HOME or BPI Commercial & Home for home composting
• Look for BPI, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL, or EN 13432 for industrial composting
• The word “compostable” alone is not enough—always check the certification logo

Beyond disposal: preventing waste at the source.

Since organic waste is the main component of home composting, the best strategy is to combine composting with waste reduction. Composting is one part of the solution. The most effective approach starts with reducing food waste in the first place. See our guide on how to reduce food waste for practical tips.

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