What Does Compostable Product Really Mean, and How Can We Make It Happen?

Do you really know what "compostable product" means? Many people confuse it with recyclable or biodegradable, but they are not the same.

A compostable product doesn’t just disappear over time—it transforms into nutrients for the soil, completing nature’s cycle.

If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between a biodegradable and a compostable bag, you probably know that not everything that decomposes is necessarily good for the planet.

In this article, we’ll explore these differences and how innovative materials—like those used by Coffee Kreis—are revolutionizing sustainability with products made from coffee waste.

What Does Compostable Product Mean?

Identifying a compostable product or distinguishing it from a biodegradable product can be tricky. However, here are three key characteristics to help you understand:

1. Compostable products break down biologically into CO₂, water, biomass, and organic compounds, leaving no toxic residues (resulting in high-quality compost).

2. They require human intervention to ensure proper composting.

3. Specific conditions are needed for compostable products to fully decompose.

What Are Some Examples of Compostable Products?

There are plenty of compostable products available today, many of which we use in our daily lives without realizing it. Some of the most common examples include:

• Grocery bags – Some of these are now made from compostable bioplastics. Did you know that these bags can keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer than regular plastic bags?

• Disposable food containers – According to the United Nations, around 1.05 billion tons of food waste were generated in 2022. To combat this, companies are now producing spoons, forks, and knives from biodegradable materials such as wood, bamboo, or PLA (polylactic acid-coated cardboard).

• Plant-based sponges – A fantastic alternative for washing dishes or even for personal care, helping reduce petroleum-based product consumption.

• Compostable trash bags – Unlike traditional plastic bags that take years to break down, these are made from materials like cornstarch or PLA.

• Coffee waste cups – Companies like Coffee Kreis create unique, long-term compostable coffee cups made from coffee grounds. Stick around to learn more about this innovative product.

What Does Biodegradable Mean?

To help you identify a biodegradable product and differentiate it from a compostable one, here are three key characteristics:

1. According to Plastic Oceans International, a biodegradable material is one that can be broken down by living organisms.

2. The decomposition time varies—some materials break down quickly, while others may take thousands of years.

3. Any organic material, such as animals, plants, or fungi, can be biodegradable under natural conditions.

What Is the Difference Between Compostable and Biodegradable?

In an interview with Food & Wine, Garrett Benisch, Design Development Director at Bioforcetech Corporation, shared an insightful phrase:

"Everything compostable is biodegradable."

However, not everything biodegradable is compostable because:

• Some biodegradable materials can be toxic to the environment when disposed of—for example, plastic bags, which break down into harmful microplastics.

• Decomposition time varies greatly. While compostable products require human intervention to produce beneficial compost, biodegradable materials break down at a pace determined by nature.

So, Is Everything Biodegradable Bad for the Environment?

Definitely not.

For example, when you discard a banana peel, it is biodegradable because it naturally decomposes and gets absorbed into the soil. It is also compostable because it provides nutrients for the land.

Similarly, when animals die, their flesh and bones become both biodegradable and compostable.

The real issue arises when petroleum-based materials, like plastics, are discarded into nature, where they fail to decompose properly and instead turn into toxic waste that harms wildlife and ecosystems.

How Can a Coffee Cup Made from Coffee Waste Be Compostable?

It all starts with second chances.

Currently, discarded coffee grounds generate 320 m³ of methane per ton when left to waste. Recognizing this problem, we started thinking: What can we do with all this coffee waste?

That’s how the idea of developing coffee cups made from coffee grounds was born. By combining them with a compostable bio-resin, we created a sustainable product that can be used at home, in cafés, restaurants, hotels, offices, and many other places—letting you enjoy your favorite beverage in an eco-friendly way.

This is Coffee Kreis—a company dedicated to giving coffee waste a second life. We are a Colombian startup aiming to bring our Kreis Latte Cup to the world.

Want to learn more about this product? Check out our store and explore all our sustainable options here!