The Hidden Plastic Problem: Misleading Labels and Contaminated Compost

All across Australia, councils are gearing up to provide FOGO (food organics and garden organics) collections.  Meanwhile, waste industry experts are sounding the alarm about how products incorrectly labelled as ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ are contaminating food and garden waste, complicating recycling processes, and undermining efforts to create high-quality compost. 

According to Richard Kirkman, CEO of Veolia ANZ, large amounts of plastic are ending up in food organics and garden organics (FOGO) bins due to misleading labelling on items like coffee cups and bin liners. Many of these products claim to be compostable but fail to meet Australian Standards for commercial composting, which require materials to disintegrate within 12 weeks and fully biodegrade within six months. 

Instead of breaking down, these materials often remain intact or degrade into microplastics, which contaminate compost used in agriculture. Ash Turner, state manager for resource recovery at Cleanaway, highlights that many so-called biodegradable products merely fragment rather than turning into organic matter. This has become “a nightmare for the industry,” requiring manual removal of non-compostable plastics from processing lines. 

Misleading Labels and Consumer Confusion 

A study by Veolia revealed that 72% of surveyed Australians believed compostable coffee cups could be recycled, and 58% thought biodegradable plastic bags could go in recycling bins. Both assumptions are incorrect, with these items often ending up in landfill. 

A separate analysis of bioplastic products in Australia found nearly one-third of sustainability claims were misleading. Many items labelled as compostable were not certified to Australian Standards, and others misused the term biodegradable for products that degrade over years rather than in an environmentally safe manner. 

Calls for Reform 

Waste industry leaders are urging government action to standardize labelling and certification for compostable products. Kirkman advocates for a nationally recognized system with a single, identifiable design for certified compostable bags, which could simplify sorting and reduce contamination. Similarly, Turner suggests using a distinct color for certified compostable bin liners to assist workers and optical sorting equipment. 

Some experts propose more radical solutions. Gayle Sloan, CEO of Waste Management Resource Recovery Australia, argues for eliminating bin liners altogether. She suggests households place food scraps directly into kitchen caddies and transfer them to outdoor bins, reducing the need for additional materials. 

Moving Forward 

Australia’s ambition to roll out FOGO collection across the country is a step toward halving food waste sent to landfill, but addressing contamination from misleading plastics is critical to success. Clearer standards, better public education, and innovation in composting infrastructure can help ensure these programs achieve their potential. 

The lesson is clear: while biodegradable and compostable plastics may seem like a sustainable choice, their effectiveness depends on accurate labelling and proper disposal. Without these measures, these products risk exacerbating, rather than alleviating, the global waste crisis.