TÜV AUSTRIA developed OK compost HOME to guarantee 100% biodegradability in a garden compost and requires a product to achieve ultimate biodegradability (90% absolute biodegradation) within 12 months. OK compost HOME is the basis of AS 5810 - the Australian Standard for home compostability.

In Aotearoa, New Zealand, compostability claims must be supported by international standards and display the specific environment intended and whether this relates to a part of or the whole product. Here we explain why not all paper or wooden cutlery is suitable for home composting, and outline two key questions to ask your supplier about certifications.

What does home compostable mean?

In Aotearoa New Zealand, any product claiming home compostability must meet at least one international standard. Either EN 13432 (ok compost HOME) or AS 5810 - a variation on EN 13432.

When certified, home compostable packaging will achieve ultimate biodegradability for home composting (90% absolute biodegradation) within 12 months into CO2, water, mineral salts and new biomass. And for composting certification there must be no negative chemical effects on the final compost - 

READ MORE: Industrial composting: how compostable packaging is processed

Can compostable packaging be processed in community garden or backyard compost piles?

Certified industrial compostable packaging is only suited to industrial composting. This is because biotransformation occurs in specific environmental conditions, including temperature between 55 to 60°C, level of aeration, and timeframe, allowing microorganisms to metabolise the material. 

OK compost HOME or the AS 5810 standard refers to packaging that also composts at lower temperatures (below 30°C), so they can go into the compost heap in your garden at home, hence the title “HOME”.

READ MORE: Rhode Street School, the kura that composts

Why home certifications are important

The word ‘biodegradable’ is used often. But nearly every material biodegrades, given enough time, so claiming a material is biodegradable without any further context is misleading. Without testing it 

The criteria for industrial compostability are set out in the European standard EN 13432 which requires (besides a clear and detailed description of the product) 4 tests:

• biodegradation (chemical breakdown)

• disintegration (physical breakdown)

• ecotoxicity (assess negative effect on plants)

• heavy metal content

However, ultimate biodegradability for home composting is a special process based on EN 13432 at low temperatures. 

TÜV AUSTRIA developed OK compost HOME to guarantee 100% biodegradability in the specific requirements of a garden compost. This is the basis of the AS 5810 standard. OK compost HOME certification requires a product to:

1) 100% biodegrade into completely non-toxic by-products, and

2) disintegrate within 180 days. Not more than 10% of the original dry weight may be found in a > 2mm screen fraction

3) achieve ultimate biodegradability (90% absolute biodegradation, or 90% with a suitable reference substrate within 12 months.

Home compostability of a product is certified through the following certification bodies. 

* TÜV Austria

* DIN CERTCO

* Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA)

Certification with either the ABA or OK compost HOME verification programmes includes testing all additives like e.g. printing inks, colorants, processing agents, fillers and exotoxicity tests that assess negative effects on soil. AS 4736 includes an additional earthworm toxicity test.

PFAS testing and home certification standards

TÜV AUSTRIA: Total Fluorine concentrations must not exceed 100ppm. Each applicant must sign a self-declaration that no PFAS (as defined by the OECD) is added to the product.

AS 5810: Fluorine levels must be 100ppm or less

Ecoware wooden cutlery has third party testing for Total fluorine in accordance with EN 14582. Tested to a 20 ppm detention limit for non-intentionally added PFAS

PFAS and coatings. Why not all wooden cutlery is suitable for composts

Timber, non-timber and paper items are commonly accepted in composting systems. However, it’s important to note that not all timber, non-timber and paper items on the market are ‘just paper’ or just wood for example. Coatings and processing additives can affect composting suitability and contamination risk. 

Recycled paper items, such as napkins, can contain residual contaminants from previous use cycles. This may include substances like PFAS, which are increasingly recognised as a contamination risk in composting systems.

Wooden cutlery is another example. While often assumed to be a natural, untreated material, some products are coated to improve smoothness or grease resistance. These coatings may affect how the product behaves in composting systems.

In practice, compost collection systems rely on visual identification, meaning these differences are not always visible to councils or processors. As a result, materials that appear suitable may still introduce contamination risks. This highlights the importance of verified materials and certification, rather than relying on assumptions about what appears to be compostable.

Ecoware products that are home compostable

Consider how big meal delivery is now and the takeaway items that make their way home with you. When packaging is identified as certified for home composting, it is then possible to dispose of that packaging with the attached - if any, food scraps in your yard compost system. 

The following packaging is either certified by OK compost HOME or the Australasian Bioplastics Association for home composting, or consists of uncoated timber and wood products that have been tested and verified as having no intentionally added PFAS. These controls support material suitability for composting and reduce the risk of PFAS contamination in resulting compost and soil.

Bamboo tableware

Certified to EN 13432, the European Standard adapted for home composting (verified by TÜV Austria, OK compost HOME)

Sugarcane tableware

Certified to EN 13432, the European Standard adapted for home composting (verified by TÜV Austria, OK compost HOME)

Wooden cutlery

Total fluorine test in accordance with EN 14582. Tested to a 20 ppm detention limit for non-intentionally added PFAS. Heavy metals testing in accordance with the US Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation (TPCH). Verified by SGS.

Bamboo forks and skewers

Total fluorine test in accordance with EN 14582. Tested to a 20 ppm detection limit for non-intentionally added PFAS. Verified by SGS.

Paper napkins

PFAS Substance Panel test in accordance with ASTM D7359. Tested to an 8 ppm detection limit for non-intentionally added PFAS. Verified by Intertek.

Paper straws

Certified to EN 13432 / EN 14995—the European Standard adapted for Home Composting (verified by TÜV Austria, OK compost HOME)

Kraft

Total Fluorine Test in accordance with EN 14582. Tested to a 50 ppm detection limit for non-intentionally added PFAS. Verified by TÜV Rheinland.

* Does not include SKUs EBB-SW and EPB-CC.

Sugarcane paper pulp cup lids

Certified to AS 5810 for home composting (verified by the Australasian Bioplastics Association).

Flat handle kraft bags

Tested for 470 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in accordance with EN 17681-1 & EN 17681-2. All tested PFAS were not detected (below method detection limits). Verified by SGS.

Compostable bin liners

Certified to AS 5810 for home composting (verified by the Australasian Bioplastics Association) and to EN 13432, the European Standard adapted for home composting (verified by TÜV Austria, OK compost HOME).

Exploring home compostable packaging for your business?

If you’re reviewing your packaging choices and unsure whether a product is suitable for home composting, our team can help guide material selection based on your use case and local disposal options.

Send your questions our way to hello@ecoware.co.nz