The benefits of compostable packaging

At Notpla, we believe packaging should leave a positive impact, not plastic waste. That’s why we create home compostable food packaging made from seaweed, designed to break down just like a fruit peel. This page explores what compostable packaging really means, how it’s different from biodegradable or recyclable alternatives, and why it’s a future-proof choice for foodservice businesses ready to cut waste and meet sustainability goals.

Compostable, home compostable, biodegradable and recyclable - what’s the difference?

Compostable packaging 

Needs specific heat, moisture, and microbes to break down, usually in a compost bin.

Home compostable packaging 

Breaks down without the need for industrial facilities

Biodegradable packaging 

Will eventually break down, but it may still leave behind microplastics.

Recyclable packaging 

Can be reprocessed, but doesn’t decompose naturally, and often requires specialist infrastructure.

What is compostable packaging made from?

Many brands use compostable materials like PLA (a plant-based bioplastic) or bagasse (a byproduct of sugarcane). But these often need industrial composting facilities and still leave behind microplastics or toxins. At Notpla, we take a different approach.

Notpla
Plastic-free
PFAs-free
PLA (Bioplastic)
Plastic-free
PFAs-free
Aqueous/Dispersion
Plastic-free
PFAs-free
Bagasse
Plastic-free
PFAs-free
Plastic-free
PFAs-free

Why compostable packaging matters for the planet

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. We produce over 400 million tonnes of plastic each year, and much of it ends up in landfills or the ocean, where it harms wildlife and ecosystems. Switching to compostable food packaging helps reduce this burden by:

1. Diverting waste from landfill.
2. Cutting microplastic pollution.
3. Moving us away from fossil-based materials.
4. Empowering consumers who compost at home

The benefits of compostable packaging

Compostable packaging offers major benefits for people, the planet, and food businesses.

Regenerative by design

Notpla packaging is made from natural materials that replenish ecosystems rather than deplete them.

Safe for nature and humans

Free from microplastics, PFAs, and harmful residues.

Truly home compostable

Breaks down in weeks - even in your garden compost bin.

Ideal for the real-world

No confusion, no special infrastructure, and no compromise on performance.

How compostable food packaging is used in the real world

Notpla’s compostable food containers and boxes are already used in fast food outlets, catering services, and grab-and-go venues across the UK and Europe.

In stadiums and venues

Serving thousands at speed, our packaging is a reliable, waste-reducing alternative for large-scale foodservice across Europe.

In corporate offices

A smart swap for reusables - cutting costs, labour, and time, without compromising sustainability.

In fast food and self-service cafés

Trusted by brands like IKEA, our leak-proof containers keep up with fast-paced environments and high expectations.

In cafés and local food spots

Helping small businesses with easy-to-compost, plastic-free options that customers love.

Why choose Notpla’s compostable packaging?

We’ve spent years developing home compostable packaging made from seaweed, a truly sustainable solution that’s already trusted by venues, events, and food brands across the UK and Europe. Whether you’re serving sandwiches, hot meals or grab-and-go dishes, our home compostable packaging range helps you meet sustainability legislation, cut waste management costs, and reduce your carbon footprint. Recognised by the Earthshot Prize, Notpla is the only manufacturer offering a plastic-free, PFAs-free, compostable packaging solution at scale - built to perform and designed to disappear.

10
patents
14
trade secrets

Ready to leave plastic behind for good?

Recognised in the industry and beyond

Wherever it ends up, we’ve thought of that

Recycle with paper

The natural coating doesn’t prohibit
it from paper recycling streams

Home-compostable in weeks

Safely break down in weeks in 
a home-compost environment

General-waste guilt-free

Carefully designed to degrade naturally and leave no trace

Disappears, just like that

Notpla packaging regenerates into fertile soil, decomposing naturally in home composts, becoming food for worms, fungi, and microbes. Watch as all the PLA (a bioplstic) coated board fails to disappear, leaving behind the plastic coating laminated onto the cardboard surface which will go on to be broken down into microplastics.

Specifications

Suitable for:
Hot and cold food
Warming cabinets
Temperatures up to 90°C
Microwave ovens
Store out of direct sunlight: 4-38°C
Certifications:
Home compostable
Food Contact BfR36
Recyclability EN 13430
BPI Certified
FDA Approved
FSC® Certified

FAQs

It's only natural that you'd have questions.
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Can compostable packaging be recycled?

No. Compostable packaging should be composted, not recycled - it’s designed to break down, not be reprocessed.

Can compostable packaging go in food waste?

Yes, Notpla’s home compostable packaging can go in food waste or general waste. It breaks down naturally in both.

How do I dispose of compostable packaging?

Just pop it in your home compost bin, food waste collection, or general waste. No industrial facility needed.

What’s the difference between biodegradable and compostable?

Biodegradable is less defined and slower to break down. Compostable packaging breaks down in specific conditions, often much faster and home compostable products like Notpla’s go even further.

What is Notpla packaging made from?

We use seaweed and plants, natural, renewable resources, to create durable, food-safe formats that disappear naturally.