With vague claims like ‘biodegradable’ and ‘eco-friendly’ on packaging now banned in Europe, the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) warns that Australia risks becoming a dumping ground for such products.

Now effective, generic environmental claims have been banned in the European Union unless the trader can show recognised environmental performance. Australia has no specific rule for compostable and biodegradable claims.

ABA CEO Martine Poulain says the gap should worry consumers, councils and businesses alike.

“Europe has drawn a line on vague green claims. Unless Australia catches up, packaging that can’t make those claims in Europe could simply end up here,” she says.

“We already see bags, foodservice ware and packaging labelled ‘biodegradable’ or ‘eco-friendly’ with nothing to back it up. People think they’re doing the right thing, but when these products end up in FOGO bins, they contaminate the compost.”

Ms Poulain says the only compostable claims Australians should trust are those certified to the Australian Standards: AS 4736 for commercial composting and AS 5810 for home composting.

“Even a European compostable certification isn’t the right test for Australia. Our Standards were written for Australian conditions and include an earthworm toxicity test that the European standard doesn’t,” she says. “If it’s going in your FOGO bin, look for certification to the Australian Standard.”

Ms Poulain urges shoppers, cafes and retailers to look for the certification logo and licence number rather than words like ‘biodegradable’ or ‘eco’.

“Certification to the Australian Standards protects consumers, it supports composters and councils, and it’s fair to the businesses doing the right thing,” she says.