Biodegradable

A broad term meaning a material will eventually break down via microorganisms. Unlike 'compostable', it has no guaranteed timeframe or end product, so it's a weaker claim — prefer certified compostable where it matters.

Biodegradable simply means microorganisms can, in principle, break the material down. Crucially, it puts no limit on how long that takes or what's left behind — a plastic that fragments into microplastics over decades can still be described as "biodegradable", which is why regulators treat the word cautiously.

Compare that with "compostable", which is tied to a standard, a timeframe and a safe end product (compost). If a supplier can only say biodegradable — with no certification number — treat it as a marketing word rather than an environmental guarantee, and don't put unverified claims on your own menus or packaging.

For hospitality buyers the rule of thumb is: where the environmental claim matters to your brand or your customers, choose certified compostable (AS 4736 or AS 5810) over generic biodegradable. Where it doesn't, judge the product on cost, strength and food suitability instead.