How to spot greenwashing on compostable products

A compostable claim is worth trusting when it does three things: names a recognised standard or certification scheme, tells you which environment it's for (home or industrial), and gives you disposal instructions you can actually follow. Missing any of those? Be sceptical.

The quick checklist

• Named certification? Look for a recognised standard or scheme, such as AS 5810, AS 4736 or OK compost HOME, not a leaf logo the brand designed itself.
• Home or industrial? "Compostable" on its own often means industrial only. The label should say which.
• Materials named? A specific material (PLA, PBAT, corn starch) tells you more than "plant-based".
• Disposal instructions? Your own compost, your council's FOGO bin, or both.
• Council acceptance? Check your council's accepted items list before anything goes in the green bin.

What greenwashing looks like

Greenwashing is making a product look better for the environment than it is, through vague language, selective information or claims that can't be backed up. Compostable claims are a common target because the word sounds simple and the reality has conditions attached.

In Australia, environmental claims are covered by the Australian Consumer Law, and the ACCC has published guidance for businesses built on eight principles. In short: claims should be accurate and backed by evidence, shouldn't hide important information, should explain any conditions, should avoid broad unqualified wording, should use clear language, shouldn't rely on misleading imagery, and businesses should be open about where they're at on their sustainability journey.

Common tactics to watch for

• Vague words with nothing behind them. "Eco", "green", "earth-friendly" and "natural" have no set definition.
• Nature imagery instead of evidence. Leaves, kraft paper and earthy colours are design choices, not certifications.
• Lookalike seals. A badge that resembles a certification mark but names no scheme or certifier.
• Half the story. The packaging is compostable, but the product inside isn't, or only one part of a multi-part product qualifies.
• Unhelpful disposal instructions. "Compost me" on something only certified for industrial facilities, with no mention of that.
• "Biodegradable" doing the heavy lifting. Without a standard, a timeframe and an environment, it doesn't tell you much.

Our post on the 7 sins of greenwashing goes broader.

The certifications worth knowing

• AS 5810: Australia's home compostable standard. The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) licenses a home compostable logo for products certified to it.
• AS 4736: Australia's industrial compostable standard, with the ABA's seedling logo.
• OK compost HOME (TÜV Austria): a European home compostable scheme.
• OK compost INDUSTRIAL (TÜV Austria) and EN 13432: European industrial compostability. See our EN 13432 explainer.
• DIN CERTCO: a German certifier that also certifies compostable products.

Home and industrial composting are different environments, so they have different standards. Our AS 4736 vs AS 5810 guide explains why.

Before you buy: a two-minute routine

1. Read the pack for the words "home compostable" or "industrially compostable".
2. Look for a named standard or scheme next to any logo.
3. Check the disposal instructions make sense for your household.
4. Look up your council's FOGO rules if you plan to use the green bin.

If a brand makes a big claim and can't tell you what it's based on, that's your answer.

A few dos and don'ts

• Do home compost items certified home compostable. Cut them up to speed things along.
• Don't put industrial-only items in a home bin and expect quick results.
• Don't put any compostables in the yellow recycling bin or soft plastics recycling.
• Do check your council before using FOGO.

Think a claim is misleading?

1. Keep the packaging and take photos of the claim.
2. Ask the brand what the claim is based on.
3. If you're not satisfied, you can report misleading environmental claims to the ACCC or your state or territory consumer protection agency.

Where ZERO stands

We'd rather be clear than clever. Our cling wrap and bags are certified home compostable, and we name the schemes:

• Cling Wrap: made from bioplastic, mainly sugarcane-based PLA with about 20% PBAT for stretch. Certified home compostable (DIN CERTCO; TÜV Austria OK compost HOME).
• Resealable Food Storage Bags: PBAT, corn starch and calcium carbonate. Certified home compostable (TÜV Austria OK compost HOME).
• Compostable Produce Bags – Commercial Roll: certified home compostable (TÜV Austria OK compost HOME).

We call our wrap and bags "made from bioplastic" because that's what they are. Honest beats shiny.

FAQ

Is "compostable" without "home" a red flag?

Not always, but assume it means industrial unless the pack says otherwise, and check your council before using FOGO.

Who regulates green claims in Australia?

The ACCC, under the Australian Consumer Law, along with state and territory consumer protection agencies.

Can a home compost test prove a product is compostable?

No. Home conditions vary a lot. Certification is based on controlled lab testing.