What is organic recycling?

Turning waste into a resource

by Amir Gross, Treetop Biopak, CEO

Growing organic to protect the soil for the future

The term "organic recycling" began to appear more frequently in waste management discourse during the 1990s. However, it is important to remember that organic recycling is simply a formal label for something nature has been quietly managing since before humans appeared. Composting takes place effortlessly in the depths of the Amazon rainforest without the slightest need for regulations, frameworks, or expert committees.

With organic recycling, we are enlisting this natural process to manage the large volumes of organic waste produced by human activity. Across the sustainability landscape, this approach is becoming central to how we rethink waste: it allows us to return materials to natural cycles in a way that creates value rather than environmental burden.

For businesses in food production, agriculture, and packaging, implementing organic recycling practices is increasingly essential, both for reducing environmental impact and for supporting circular, resource-efficient operations.

What organic recycling actually means

Growing together

Organic recycling refers to the controlled breakdown of natural, biodegradable materials so they can be transformed into useful outputs again. This generally happens through two main processes: composting and anaerobic digestion.

1. Composting (aerobic process)

Composting takes place in the presence of oxygen, producing nutrient-rich compost. The resulting compost improves soil structure, increases water retention, and supports healthy plant growth.

In practice, composting means piling up organic waste and waiting for nature to take its course. When done at high volume by professional composters, the organic waste will be piled in large windrows, mixed, and irrigated to help the process. Industrial composting involves piling the waste in closed chambers, allowing the heat in the compost to build up, improving biodegradation efficiency and speed.

Important to note that, because oxygen is continuously available, microorganisms rely on aerobic respiration, which releases CO₂ instead of methane. So by composting organic waste correctly, we are reducing the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, to the atmosphere

2. Anaerobic digestion (oxygen-free process)

The The The

Biobags plant uses compost to generate gas

In anaerobic digestion, organic materials decompose without oxygen and generate biogas. When done correctly, in anaerobic digestion facilities, the gases are captured and can be used for heat or electricity. The remaining digestate is nutrient-rich and commonly used as fertilizer.

Both composting and anaerobic digestion keep organic waste out of landfill and convert it into resources that support agriculture, energy production, and improved soil health.

Why organic recycling matters more than ever

Food scraps, plant residues, and compostable materials represent a significant share of global waste. When these materials end up in landfill, they degrade without oxygen and release methane, one of the most harmful greenhouse gases. By diverting organic matter into composting or anaerobic digestion systems, methane emissions are avoided entirely.

Organic recycling also restores soil health. Compost naturally improves soil structure, replenishes nutrients, and reduces reliance on synthetic fertilisers. It keeps valuable materials circulating rather than being discarded and contributes to stronger, more resilient agricultural systems. In practice, organic recycling provides one of the clearest examples of how a circular economy can work.

Where compostable packaging fits in

From plant to pack to compost and plants again. Compostable packaging supports circularity

As industries work toward more sustainable operations, compostable packaging is becoming an important enabler of organic recycling systems. Packaging designed to break down under composting conditions can be processed together with food waste, creating a true closed-loop solution that conventional plastics cannot deliver.

The organic waste stream has a significant issue of plastic contamination when plastic packaging has not been removed. But, if the packaging can be composted as the organic waste, this problem is reduced. When compostable packaging enters an organic recycling stream, it reduces persistent plastic pollution, decreases dependence on fossil-based materials, and supports more efficient food-waste management. Once fully composted, it contributes to healthier soils and improved fertility.

For brands and producers, compostable packaging offers a practical and credible path toward lowering environmental impact and meeting growing expectations from consumers and regulators.

A step toward a more circular future

Organic recycling is more than a waste-management method; it represents a shift toward treating materials as resources with value beyond their first use. With expanding infrastructure and increased adoption of compostable solutions, businesses across the food and packaging sectors can play a vital role in building a low-carbon, circular economy.

At Treetop Biopak, we can help you integrate compostable packaging into your operations. We offer the widest range of compostable solutions, including bags, shrink film, nets, stretch film, and more. Compostable materials can be incorporated in many industries — from food service and retail to e-commerce and industrial packaging. By choosing our products, you can reduce environmental impact while maintaining the performance and versatility your business needs.