What is your definition of Biodegradable and Compostable?

That's a good question!  There are definitely plenty of things that overlap in terms of being both biodegradable and compostable but there is a difference in what those properties actually mean.

To me, biodegradable products naturally break down over time through interaction with microorganisms (i.e bacteria).  These products are usually made out of plant or animal sources to start. 

Compostable products typically signal that these will break down into soil or fertilizer over time.  These are usually things which could be composted in a home garden.

Based on those definitions, technically meat products would be biodegradable but the average home composter should stay away from putting meat in their their veggie and paper scraps.

Anyone know of any good biodegradalbe or compostable products?

I try to imagine a giant stomach... if it could digest the thing, it's compostable :D

Biodegradable to me is something that will break down and return to the soil.

Compostable is something that will breakdown and provide nutritional value to plants.

So one is more beneficial to plants than the other.

We can define Biodegradable is something that can breakdown the product and make it usable materials.

Compostable is that you can use the product and compost in your garden and expect that it will break down in a time period.

franchises

Nice post. Awesome title of this tread. The definition I was given is that biodegradable usually means that a commercial facility can cause the product in question to breakdown into usable materials. This may mean treatments not available to you at home. Compostable means that you can take the product and put it in your home compost or garden and expect that it will break down in a reasonable time frame. For instance, Innovia's NatureFlex compostable film should breakdown in your garden in less than 3 weeks. mexicorisks

The definition I was given is that biodegradable usually means that a commercial facility can cause the product in question to breakdown into usable materials. This may mean treatments not available to you at home. Compostable means that you can take the product and put it in your home compost or garden and expect that it will break down in a reasonable time frame. For instance, Innovia's NatureFlex compostable film should breakdown in your garden in less than 3 weeks. mexico real estate