The narrative being pushed by the EPA and various government bodies is becoming a tired one: that the current state of compostable plastics is "untenable" because consumers are simply too confused to use a FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) bin correctly. They point to contamination in the composting stream and blame a lack of intelligence in the kitchen. But here at Zero Waste Co, we know the truth is much simpler—and it doesn’t involve pointing fingers at you.
For years, the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) has provided the "seedling" and "home compostable" logos as the gold standard for what belongs in our organics bins. These aren't secret symbols; they are clear indicators of products that meet rigorous Australian Standards (AS 4736 and AS 5810) to ensure they break down without leaving toxic residues or microplastics in our soil. The problem isn't that consumers aren't "smart enough" to work this out; the problem is a massive failure in government accountability regarding the "Wild West" of eco-labelling.
The Greenwashing Trap
While authorities wring their hands over FOGO contamination, they continue to allow companies to flood the market with vague, misleading terms like “biodegradable” and “oxo-degradable”.
Let’s be clear:
• "Biodegradable" is a generic, unqualified claim that fails to specify the timeframe or environment needed for breakdown, often misleading consumers into thinking a product will disappear in any condition.
• "Oxo-degradable" (or fragmentable) plastic is even worse; it’s conventional plastic with additives that cause it to shatter into permanent, invisible microplastics that contaminate our soil and waterways.
We’ve already seen the consequences of this regulatory toothlessness. The Federal Court recently ordered Clorox Australia to pay $8.25 million in penalties for misleading consumers that GLAD bags were made of "ocean plastic" when they were actually sourced up to 50km inland. When the government allows these "green" claims to flourish without strict enforcement, they are the ones creating the "untenable" confusion they now complain about.
The Solution: A Simple, Hard Line on Soft Plastics
It is time for the government to take a stand. We don’t need hundreds of millions of dollars in new, complex infrastructure for soft plastic recycling schemes that are clearly struggling to find traction. We need a simple, effective legislative stance: The only environmental claim allowed for soft plastics should be "Certified Compostable."
If a soft plastic isn't certified to AS 4736 or AS 5810, it should be treated as normal plastic and go straight to the red-lid landfill bin—which is where it usually ends up anyway. Eradicating the terms "biodegradable" and "oxo-degradable" from packaging would instantly clear the "confusion" the EPA claims to be so worried about.
Why Certified Compostable is the Circular Future
The "recycling" of soft plastics is often an energy-intensive process that results in materials being sent to landfill when they contaminate other streams. In contrast, certified compostable packaging, like our Zero Pack range, offers a genuine circular solution.
By using plant-based materials that return nutrients and carbon to the soil, we aren't just managing waste—we are regenerating our land. International leaders like Italy have already proven this works, achieving a 56.9% recycling rate for compostable bioplastics by integrating them directly into their organic waste systems.
We have the solution right here. It’s less resource-intensive, it creates a local circular economy, and it works today. It’s time the government stopped blaming consumers for "confusion" and started stamping out the greenwashing that causes it.
If it’s not certified compostable, it’s just trash.
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References and Source Links
1. ACCC (2025): Clorox ordered to pay $8.25m in penalties for misleading 'ocean plastic' claims about certain GLAD products
2. Compost Connect (2025): Compostable Packaging: Sorting the Myths from the Facts
3. APCO (2020): Considerations for Compostable Plastic Packaging
4. ACCC (2023): Environmental and sustainability claims - A guide for business
5. Compost Connect (2025): Italy: A Global Leader in Organic Waste Management
6. APCO (2021): National Compostable Packaging Strategy
7. Green Industries SA (2025): Plastic Produce Sticker Impacts on Compost
8. ABA (2021): Response to The Conversation: Biodegradable Plastic Ban
9. ABA (2021): The ABA welcomes the National Plastics Plan 2021
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