This International Compost Awareness Week, we're breaking down how takeaway food packaging breaks down - and why that matters for the planet, your operations, and your customers.

At Notpla, we believe that packaging should disappear as easily as it appears - without leaving a trace. And during International Compost Awareness Week, we’re diving into one of the most important topics in sustainable packaging: what actually happens at the end of a product’s life.

You’ve probably seen the term compostable on all kinds of takeaway packaging. But what does it really mean? Is it suitable for home composting? What if your business uses a food waste collection? Or your customers want to compost at home?

Let’s clear it up.

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What is industrial composting?

Industrial composting (also called commercial composting) happens at large, managed facilities that turn food and organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. These sites use high temperatures (55–65°C), controlled humidity, and regular aeration to break down compostable materials efficiently and at scale.

Industrial composting is a key part of the circular economy, particularly for food service operators, stadiums, universities, and caterers. By processing food waste alongside compostable packaging, it simplifies sorting and reduces landfill.

Notpla packaging is accepted by the UK’s largest composting facility, Envar, and we work directly with waste providers to help our customers integrate composting into their operations.

What is home composting?

Home composting happens on a smaller, more natural scale - in gardens, community bins or balcony boxes. There’s no added heat or machinery, just the power of nature. Over time, food scraps and compostable materials break down into healthy, fertile compost.

But not all packaging can do this. Most products labelled simply “compostable” require industrial conditions to decompose - meaning they won’t break down properly in your home compost bin.

Home compostable packaging, like Notpla, is designed specifically for this environment - breaking down in 4–6 weeks without leaving behind microplastics or synthetic residues.

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So, what’s the difference?

The key difference between home compostable and industrial compostable packaging lies in where and how the material breaks down. Home compostable packaging decomposes in garden compost bins under ambient conditions without the need for high heat, making it suitable for disposal in a standard food waste bin. In contrast, industrial compostable packaging requires the high heat and controlled environment of commercial composting facilities to break down properly. While it can also go into food waste bins, this is only effective where appropriate composting infrastructure is available.

Both types support a circular waste system. But home compostable packaging offers more flexibility, especially where industrial infrastructure isn’t available.

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Why we focus on home compostability

We believe the best packaging is the kind that works wherever you are - whether that’s a stadium with industrial composting or a customer with a compost bin at home.

That’s why Notpla food packaging is certified for both home and industrial composting, giving you peace of mind that it will break down properly in any environment.

Our materials are:

• 100% plastic-free, with no risk of microplastic contamination
  
  
• Accepted in food waste collections, simplifying back-of-house operations
  
  
• Certified to international compostability standards - including EN13432, ASTM D6400, ISO 20200, and BPI (US)
  
  

So whether you’re a facilities manager, foodservice provider, or just someone who wants their lunch not to outlive them - you’re covered.

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The soil-approved choice

Notpla is listed on the Soil Association’s Food for Life Supplier Scheme, meaning we meet rigorous standards for sustainability and compostability.

This matters for schools, institutions, and caterers looking for verified, trusted packaging solutions that support broader environmental goals. It’s a powerful way to offer takeaway packaging that fits with sustainable food systems - not against them.

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Composting made easy with seaweed

Many of our customers choose composting because it simplifies waste sorting: food and packaging go in the same bin, and come out as compost. From stadiums to street food stalls, our seaweed-coated boxes are making circular systems a reality.

And because they’re made from plants, not plastic, Notpla boxes leave nothing behind. Just nutrients for the soil - the way nature intended.

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Close the loop this Compost Awareness Week

Let’s move past the packaging that pollutes and embrace packaging that truly disappears. Home compostable, seaweed-based packaging isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a real solution, ready for real-world waste systems.

Explore our full range of home-compostable and biodegradable food containers >

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Did you know?

• A plastic food container can take over 450 years to degrade
  
• A Notpla box? Just a few weeks
  
• Compostable in the back garden. Trusted in the biggest composting facilities
  
• No microplastics. No fine print. Just nature doing its thing

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