A wide variety of materials are used in the homes of our animal friends. Many of these come from plants—such as wood, straw, or other plant fibers. But what happens to these materials when they are no longer needed? And what is actually the difference between biodegradable and compostable?
We’ll explain how natural decomposition processes work and why the material and the right conditions play an important role. First things first: “Biodegradable” doesn’t automatically mean that something belongs in the organic waste bin or on the garden compost pile.
Plant-Based Raw Materials and Natural Cycles
In nature, dead plant material is gradually decomposed. Small organisms like fungi and bacteria assist in this process. They break down organic components so that they can re-enter natural material cycles.
Wood is an example of this: it consists of various natural components that can be broken down by specialized organisms. One of these is lignin. It makes wood resilient and can slow down the decomposition process. How long the process takes depends, among other things, on the properties of the wood and its environment.
Source: Fengel, D. and Wegener, G. (1984; reprinted 2003): Wood: Chemistry, Ultrastructure, Reactions. Verlag Kessel.
For CHIPSI, we use PEFC-certified wood raw materials from certified supply chains. The vast majority of the raw materials we use are sourced regionally from areas surrounding our production sites.
CHIPSI uses different plant-based raw materials depending on the bedding type. Therefore, the properties of one material cannot automatically be transferred to every other. You can find out which information applies to your bedding in the respective product information.
What Does Biodegradable Mean?
“Biodegradable” means that microorganisms can gradually break down a material under the right conditions. Depending on the material, they need, for example, moisture, oxygen, a suitable temperature, and time.
A fine wood chip behaves differently than a solid piece of wood. Dryness or cold can also slow down the decomposition process. Therefore, “biodegradable” is not a guarantee that every material will completely disappear everywhere and in a short period of time.
What Does Compostable Mean?
During composting, suitable organic material is decomposed with the help of microorganisms. For this to work, air, moisture, temperature, and the mixture of materials must be balanced.
Not everything that is of plant origin or biodegradable is automatically suitable for every compost. Whether a particular bedding material is compostable must be clarified for that material and the respective conditions. And even confirmed compostability does not automatically mean that used bedding may go into the organic waste bin.
Garden Compost and Industrial Composting – What Is the Difference?
In garden compost, temperature and humidity change with the weather and the care of the compost. Wood-rich materials, in particular, often require more time here. Fungi play an important role in wood decomposition; with too little moisture, they work more slowly.
For wood-rich, suitable compost material, it can help to mix it with fresh, nitrogen-rich garden waste and keep the compost sufficiently moist. This is a general explanation of composting—not a blanket recommendation to add any bedding to garden compost.
Industrial composting plants may operate under different, often more controlled conditions. However, the responsible waste management companies determine which materials they accept. Therefore, even biodegradable material must not automatically be placed in the organic waste bin.
Further Reading: Götte, R. (2019): Kompostierung im Garten: Biologische Grundlagen und Praxishandbuch. Ulmer Verlag; Thomé-Kozmiensky, K. J. und Beckmann, M. (Hrsg.) (2015): Handbuch der Kompostierung, Band 4 – Biologische Abfallverwertung. TK Verlag.
How Do I Dispose of Bedding Properly?
The easiest way is to first check the disposal instructions for your bedding. Additionally, the regulations of your local waste management provider apply. These may vary from municipality to municipality.
Particularly important: Clean, unused bedding and used bedding or bedding soiled with waste are not equivalent. Additional hygiene requirements may apply to used bedding. If you are unsure, contact your local waste management authority for the designated disposal method.
And what about the packaging?
Bedding and packaging are two different things. Whether a bedding material is biodegradable or compostable says nothing about its packaging. Therefore, pay attention to the information on the respective packaging and the local rules for waste separation.
Gaining a Better Understanding of Natural Cycles
Under the right conditions, plant-based materials can break down through natural processes. Exactly how this happens depends on the source material, how it’s processed, and its environment. With the right product and disposal instructions, you’ll find it easier to handle your bedding properly – for a clean home for your pets.
Source on the biodegradation of wood: Fengel, D. and Wegener, G. (1984; reprinted 2003): *Wood: Chemistry, Ultrastructure, Reactions*. Kessel Publishing.