Compostable Packaging: What Businesses Need to Know – and How Treetop Biopak Can Help

Read the

Compostable Fresh Produce Packaging

full report

The shift toward sustainable packaging is gaining momentum, but understanding where and how compostable plastic fits in remains a challenge for many UK businesses. A comprehensive report from WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), part of the UK Plastics Pact, sheds light on how compostable packaging can be a practical part of the solution — provided it’s used in the right context.

At Treetop Biopak, we’re proud to supply the very compostable packaging solutions recommended in this report. Our range includes fresh produce packaging such as compostable produce bags, carrier bags, and produce nets — all designed to reduce plastic pollution while maintaining food quality and usability. These items are particularly well-suited to food applications where contamination often makes traditional recycling difficult or impossible.

What Makes Packaging Compostable?

For packaging to be considered compostable, it must meet the EN13432 standard for industrial composting — and ideally also comply with recognised certifications like OK Compost or Seedling. All compostable plastics are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable plastics are compostable. The term “biodegradable” can be vague and misleading without specifying conditions like time, temperature, and environment. That’s why certified compostable solutions are considered the most transparent and environmentally responsible.

Treetop’s products are fully certified and tested, ensuring they break down effectively in industrial composting conditions, without leaving behind microplastic pollution or contaminating recycling streams.

When Compostable Makes Sense

WRAP highlights key use cases where compostable packaging is not just suitable, but beneficial:

• Flexible food packaging – including fresh produce wraps and bags that often become food-contaminated and are hard to clean.

• Fruit and veg bags or carrier bags – especially when reused as food waste caddy liners.

• Tea bags and fruit stickers – items that typically go into organic waste collections and can benefit from being compostable.

• Closed-loop systems – such as food venues or events with controlled waste streams.

Compostable carrier bag

Treetop Biopak’s fresh produce packaging solutions align perfectly with these use cases. Our compostable packaging materials, such as bags, flow wraps, shrink film, and nets, help retailers and suppliers meet sustainability goals while enabling consumers to reduce plastic waste at home and on the go.

The Infrastructure Challenge

One of the core findings in the WRAP report is that the UK’s waste infrastructure isn’t yet fully equipped to process all compostable packaging. Some compostable items are removed as contamination at anaerobic digestion (AD) or composting facilities, particularly if mislabelled or mixed with non-compostable plastics.

That’s why clear, compliant labelling and consumer education are crucial. Treetop Biopak also supports clients in understanding the best ways to integrate compostable packaging within current local authority waste systems.

The Future of Compostables

Compostable Produce Net

Compostable packaging is not a cure-all, but it plays a vital role in tackling plastic waste in the right circumstances. WRAP’s report shows the value of compostables for food waste management, especially when supported by better design, labelling, and infrastructure.

At Treetop Biopak, we’re committed to helping businesses transition responsibly to compostable alternatives — offering proven, certified solutions that make a real difference.