Why Are GoodBioPak PLA Products Better Suited for Industrial Composting?

Overview of Composting

Composting is a process that converts organic waste into fertilizer and soil amendments through microbial decomposition. Depending on the scale and conditions of treatment, composting can be classified into industrial composting and home composting, with significant differences between the two in various aspects.

Characteristics of Industrial Composting

Industrial composting is a large-scale, organized method of organic waste management. During the process, different types of waste are mixed in specific ratios to achieve optimal composting conditions. Oxygen is continuously supplied through turning and aeration to maintain aerobic microbial activity. Moreover, industrial composting facilities are able to sustain temperatures above 50°C, often reaching over 65°C. This high-temperature environment not only accelerates the decomposition of organic materials but also effectively eliminates pathogens and weed seeds, ensuring the quality of the final compost product.

One of the key advantages of industrial composting is its efficiency—it can break down various biodegradable materials, including PLA materials, within a few months.

Characteristics of Home Composting

Home composting is typically smaller in scale and managed by individuals or households for everyday organic waste. Common home composting methods include backyard piles, compost bins, and vermicomposting (using worms). Unlike industrial composting, home composting systems usually lack strict control over temperature and moisture. Temperatures in home composting rarely reach the 50°C threshold required for efficient decomposition, resulting in a slower and often incomplete breakdown of materials.

Degradation Characteristics of PLA Materials

PLA materials (polylactic acid) are biodegradable plastics made from polymerized starch, offering notable environmental benefits. However, due to their polymer structure, PLA breaks down significantly slower than raw starch. In typical outdoor environments, PLA materials degrade at a rate similar to that of traditional plastics, potentially taking decades to fully decompose.

Only under the high-temperature, high-humidity, and oxygen-rich conditions of industrial composting can PLA be rapidly broken down by microorganisms into carbon dioxide, water, and organic matter, achieving its intended environmental benefits.

Compatibility of GoodBioPak PLA Products with Composting Methods

For PLA materials, home composting environments generally fail to meet the conditions required for effective degradation, making it difficult for PLA products to fully decompose in such settings. Therefore, home composting is not suitable for most PLA materials—especially those specifically engineered for industrial composting.

Home composting is more appropriate for garden waste and certain food scraps, but has limited capacity for handling proteins, fats, or high-risk waste. Due to its lack of temperature regulation, it is also not suitable for treating waste that includes industrial-grade PLA materials.

While the key feature of PLA materials is their biodegradability, their polymer structure hinders decomposition in regular environments. Only by processing PLA products in industrial composting systems—where humidity, oxygen, and temperatures above 50°C are consistently maintained—can rapid degradation be achieved, preventing PLA from becoming an environmental burden.

All GoodBioPak PLA products are internationally certified for industrial compostability, ensuring efficient breakdown once they enter appropriate composting facilities. We also urge consumers to verify product certifications and local composting capabilities before disposing of PLA products, to avoid disrupting the composting process.

By supporting industrial composting, GoodBioPak truly practices environmental responsibility, advancing the sustainable circular use of PLA materials and contributing to a greener future.