Is biodegradable material really green?"

Biodegradable materials are one of the most misunderstood packaging options. It is not that suppliers are lying, but rather that the terminology is genuinely complex and the actual processing infrastructure in Vietnam has not kept pace with the expectations set on packaging. Before deciding to label or choose materials, you need to clarify three questions: what standard the biodegradable material meets, under what conditions, and whether those conditions exist in the market where you are selling.

Two different concepts are often confused

The first and most important confusion is between biodegradable and compostable.

• Biodegradable is a vague term. Technically, most materials are biodegradable in a broad sense if given enough time, including petroleum-based plastics after hundreds of years. This term does not come with a specific timeframe or environmental conditions, so simply labeling something as biodegradable on packaging does not convey any meaningful information, and in the EU, from 27/09/2026, vague environmental claims without evidence will be prohibited under Directive (EU) 2024/825 (reference information for export goods).
• Compostable has more specific standards. The EN 13432 standard requires materials to break down into small sizes within about 12 weeks and to undergo significant biodegradation within about six months under industrial composting conditions. However, this standard is tied to industrial composting and does not automatically apply to home composting.

And within compostable, there is another layer: industrial composting requires high temperatures and controlled conditions, while home composting occurs at much lower environmental temperatures, requiring specific standards like OK compost HOME.

Another easily confused point: bio-based does not mean biodegradable

Bio-based plastics, such as bio-PE made from sugarcane, have a molecular structure similar to petroleum-based PE. In terms of degradation, they can exist in nature for decades like conventional plastics. The plant-based origin does not equate to biodegradability. This is a common misconception when reading supplier documents, as the term "bio" appears in both concepts but has entirely different meanings. When cross-referencing information from material suppliers, it is advisable to seek additional neutral sources such as environmental agencies or academic literature for confirmation.

Deciding variable: infrastructure of the sales location

No matter how perfect the compostable materials are, without appropriate processing infrastructure, the environmental advantage is nearly nonexistent. Packaging that meets EN 13432 does not decompose faster than conventional packaging in landfill conditions.

Questions to consider before choosing material direction: where will this packaging go after the customer opens it, specifically in which city or region, and is there a composting facility there?

Common mistakes when labeling

• Labeling "biodegradable" without specifying conditions or time for degradation is the most common mistake and can easily be considered greenwashing, meaning promoting environmental benefits without basis or misleading.
• Achieving EN 13432 and labeling it as if it will decompose in the garden. This standard only holds value when it reaches an industrial composting facility.
• Confusing bio-based with compostable and then miscommunicating to the market.
• Not checking the actual degradation conditions in the selling market before printing labels.

The risks are not only reputational but also legal, especially when exporting to the EU, where Directive (EU) 2024/825 will apply from 27/09/2026. Selling domestically, green claims must also not mislead consumers according to the 2023 Consumer Protection Law and advertising laws.

Labeling as biodegradable without specific conditions is an unverified claim, and an unverifiable claim is not an environmental commitment.

Practical experience, in the spirit of the EU's anti-greenwashing regulations

When is compostable material still reasonable?

For most domestic businesses, recyclable single-material options (a type of material that is not combined for easier sorting) or reducing the total amount of material are often more practical and have a more significant impact, as the recycling infrastructure, while not yet complete, is still more common than industrial composting infrastructure.

Compostable materials are still reasonable when there is a specific reason, such as selling to a restaurant chain with a compost collection program or exporting to markets with good infrastructure. In such cases, it is essential to choose the correct standards and label the conditions accurately. Degradation standards are a technical and legal area that requires material experts and testing units to confirm before going to market, especially for exports.

This article is for reference. The scope, pricing, and specific commitments of Sinh Vũ are detailed in the proposal and signed contract.