Composting Standards: Why Certification Matters in 2025 

Ensuring Brown Bin Compatibility and Industrial Composting Compliance 

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, compostable packaging plays a key role in reducing environmental impact. But to truly benefit the biosphere, compostable products like coffee cups must meet stringent certification standards. Here’s why certification matters and how Cup Print ensures its cups align with the highest environmental benchmarks. 

What is Industrial Composting? 

Unlike home composting, industrial composting happens in highly controlled conditions of temperature, humidity, and aeration. This ensures complete sanitisation of waste and the production of nutrient-rich compost suitable for agricultural and gardening use. 

Industrial composting processes comply with EN 13432, the European standard that specifies the requirements for compostable packaging. Certified materials, such as plant-based plastics and paper fibres, disintegrate within three months and fully biodegrade into H₂O, CO₂, and biomass in six months. 

Compostable vs. Biodegradable: What’s the Difference? 

• Compostable: Breaks down into organic matter under industrial conditions, leaving no toxic residue and contributing to nutrient-rich compost. 

• Biodegradable: May leave behind non-organic residues, such as metals, and often lacks clear timelines for breakdown. 

When choosing eco-friendly options, look for certifications like EN 13432, which guarantee a product’s compostability. 

What Makes Cup Print Compostable Cups Special? 

Our compostable cups are designed to align with industrial composting requirements, making them a sustainable choice for businesses and consumers alike. Here’s what sets them apart: 

• Plant-Based Coating: We use PLA (polylactic acid) as a moisture barrier, a renewable alternative to fossil-fuel-based plastics. 

• Certified Materials: Inner layers of our cups use PEFC and FSC-certified virgin paper fibres, while the outer layers of Double-Wall cups feature certified recycled materials. 

• Sustainable Production: Manufactured in a BRCGS AA-rated High Hygiene facility powered by 100% sustainable energy. All production by-products are recycled. 

• Certification: Our PLA cups meet EN 13432 standards, ensuring they’re compatible with food waste collection systems and brown bin schemes. 

The Future of Sustainable Packaging 

Cup Print also leads innovation with certified recyclable paper cups, the first in the industry to achieve AAA certification by the Institute cyclos-HTP under the European Green Dot scheme. Whether compostable or recyclable, our solutions are designed to meet the evolving needs of the packaging industry in 2025 and beyond. 

Want to make the switch to sustainable packaging? 

Explore Cup Print’s certified compostable cups and discover how they can make a difference for your business and the planet. Click here!