Reggie
18 May 2026
The short answer
Compostable and biodegradable are not twins. One is a route. The other is a loose promise unless the conditions are spelt out.
09:02Compostable means a material is designed to break down in composting conditions. Which conditions matters: home composting is not the same as a commercial composting site.
09:03Biodegradable sounds kinder than it is. Without a place, temperature, time and proof, it can mean very little at the kitchen sink.
09:04Rule of thumb: if a disposal claim does not tell you where it works, treat it as unfinished information.
Why the words get muddled
Certified compostable materials are tested for a composting route. Biodegradable materials may break down somewhere, but the word alone does not tell you where or how quickly.
09:08That is why vague biodegradable claims are such a headache. They let a packet sound clever without telling you what to do with it.
09:09British green-claims guidance says the claim needs evidence, clear caveats and the full story. A compostable cup that needs a commercial site should say so.
09:10Translation: do not sell people a magic bin.
09:11What to look for
Look for the exact instruction: home compostable, commercial composting, recyclable, or general waste. Those are different routes, not decorative badges.
09:16Check whether the claim covers the whole product or only part of it. Bag, label, ink, sleeve, box: the small print is doing real work.
09:17If it says compostable but cannot explain where it composts, put the raised eyebrow to work.
09:18Where caddy liners fit
Food-waste liners have a practical job: keep scraps contained, fit the caddy and follow the route your council or home compost setup allows.
09:24Generation earth makes certified home-compostable caddy liners. That still does not mean fling them anywhere. Composting is a system, not a vibe.
09:25If you are choosing a liner, start with fit. Use the council bin checker, then shop the caddy liner range.
09:26The best label is the one that helps you do the right thing in ten seconds.
09:27Sources and proof
Official references used for the disposal-claim guidance in this Field Note: