Biodegradable refers to the breaking down of materials. Thus, strictly speaking anything is biodegradable if enough time is given. Examples are like plastic, as they can biodegrade. It just takes an extremely long. However, composting refers only to the breaking down of organic materials in conditions like suitable temperature and humidity levels, and refers only to the breaking down of organic materials in conditions like suitable temperature and humidity levels, and usually only require 3-6 months. The reason these 2 terms are always confused is because “biodegradable” is often used to refer to compostability of a material, which is passes off the material as something it is not. Thus, standards like the EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 are created to properly determine the compostability of a material. In summary, not everything biodegradable is compostable, but everything compostable is biodegradable.

Recycled materials or “recycled content” means the said product is made from previously used materials, while recyclable products or recyclables means that the said product can be reprocessed into something new once it is collected and sorted at a recycling facility. However, one common misconception is that all recyclables get recycled. Proper segregation by consumers is required before recycling can take place, like separating a bottle cap from the bottle. But that if often not done, thus recyclables still end up in incineration plants. Yet, products are still being marketed as recyclable.

A circular economy is a systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles: Eliminate waste and pollution, Circulate products and materials, Regenerate nature. In TRIA’s case, we eliminate waste by upvaluing food and packaging waste. Then, turning those waste into fertilizer keeps these materials in use, which fulfils the circulation. Finally, the fertilizer can be used to regenerate nature as it improves soil health. In summary, circular economy is the key and upcoming solution to enable sustainability.