Compostable, Biodegradable, Recyclable — What is the Difference?

What is Recycling?

Recyclable items can be collected, processed, and remade into new materials or products. Most commonly, this includes paper, cardboard, certain plastics, glass, and aluminum.

How do I Recycle?

Recycling seems straightforward -- just toss it in the blue bin, right? Not quite. What’s accepted depends on your local facility. For example, not all plastics are recyclable everywhere, and items like greasy pizza boxes or glass with food residue can contaminate a whole batch of recyclables. It's essential to check with your local recycling guidelines.

If you live in NY like I do, here are some resources to start your recycling journey:

• NYC: recycle metal, glass, plastic, and cartons
• NYC: how to recycle plastic and what you can and cannot recycle

Benefits of Recycling

• Diverts waste from landfills
• Conserves natural resources
• Reduces energy use and emissions during manufacturing

Limitations of Recycling

• Only about 8.7 % of plastic was actually recycled in the U.S. (2018)
• Contamination often leads to recyclable items being landfilled
• Some materials degrade in quality after each cycle (e.g., plastic)

What Does Biodegradable Mean?

Biodegradable materials are designed to break down into natural elements (like carbon dioxide, water, and biomass) with the help of microorganisms.

The Truth About Biodegradable Products:

Just because something is biodegradable doesn’t mean it’s good for the environment. Many biodegradable plastics need specific conditions -- like heat, moisture, and oxygen to fully decompose, and those conditions aren’t always present in landfills or nature. When bioplastics are not discarded properly, they can contaminate batches of recycled plastic and harm recycling infrastructure.

How to dispose of Biodegradable Products:

• Look for labels that specify “home biodegradable” vs. “industrial biodegradable.”
• When in doubt, don't toss biodegradable items into the recycling bin -- they can contaminate the stream.

Benefits of Proper Biodegradable Waste Disposal:

• Reduces long-term waste buildup
• Often better than conventional plastic if handled correctly

Limitations of Disposing Biodegradable Products:

• Breakdown can be slow or incomplete in standard landfill conditions
• Misleading labeling can confuse consumers

What Does Compostable Mean?

Compostable materials break down fully into non-toxic, natural elements -- leaving no harmful residue. This includes some plant-based plastics, food scraps, and packaging made from organic materials.

How do I Compost:

1. Home composting:

You can compost food waste, paper, and some packaging in a backyard bin or countertop system. Items must be labeled “home compostable” to break down properly.

2. Commercial composting:

These facilities handle higher temperatures and more complex materials like compostable plastics. If your packaging says “industrial compost only,” it must go to a facility (not your backyard pile).

Benefits of Composting:

• Returns nutrients to the soil
• Significantly reduces landfill waste
• Produces no microplastics or toxins when done properly

Limitations of Composting:

• Requires correct conditions (temperature, moisture, oxygen)
• Compostable materials can’t go in standard recycling bins
• Industrial composting access is limited in some areas

The most eco-friendly option? Compostable materials -- when composted properly.

They break down completely and help enrich soil, making them the most circular option. But access to composting is still limited, so education and infrastructure need to catch up.

Recycling is still important, especially for glass, aluminum, and paper -- but it isn’t a perfect system. And while biodegradable options sound appealing, their environmental benefit depends on where they end up.

The best approach:

• Refuse what you don’t need
• Reduce what you buy
• Reuse what you have
• Refill when you can
• And choose compostable or recyclable packaging when disposal is necessary

At Sincerely Sunday, we’re working to make better choices, too. As we move toward compostable packaging for our Deconstructed Candles or candle refill kits, our goal is to leave as little behind as possible because sustainability isn’t just a trend, it’s a responsibility.

Small actions add up, and while no one gets it perfect, being more informed is the first step toward doing better -- for ourselves, and for the future.