Many smoothie cups and coffee cups labelled “compostable” are not recyclable and often won’t break down in your home compost either. Most are made from PLA bioplastic, which usually requires industrial composting facilities to properly decompose. Understanding the difference between home compostable, industrial compostable and biodegradable products can help you avoid greenwashing and dispose of products correctly.

Key Takeaways

• Compostable does not always mean home compostable
• Most PLA smoothie and coffee cups are industrially compostable only
• PLA is still a type of plastic, even though it’s plant-based
• Compostable cups generally should not go in household recycling bins
• Local councils all have different FOGO rules and requirements

You’re Not Alone If You’re Confused About Compostable Cups

You grab a smoothie or coffee, notice the cup says “compostable”, and feel pretty good about your choice. Fair enough. But here’s where things get messy. Many compostable smoothie and coffee cups are actually made from or lined with PLA bioplastic, which usually cannot be recycled, cannot go in home compost, and often ends up in landfill anyway.

Yep… confusing. And honestly, this is one of the biggest greenwashing problems in the sustainable packaging space right now. Not because compostable products are inherently bad, but because the labelling often makes people believe they can simply toss these cups into their recycling bin or backyard compost without a second thought. Unfortunately, it’s usually not that simple.

First Things First: What Is Composting?

Composting is the natural decomposition of organic materials like food scraps, paper, coffee grounds and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil.Did you know composting is believed to date back more than 12,000 years? (so cool!) Even people in the Stone Age were turning scraps into nutrient-rich soil long before “sustainability” became a buzzword.

Composting matters because when organic waste is sent landfill it breaks down without oxygen, creating methane gas, which is even more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide. According to Australian bin audits, around 40-60% of waste sent to landfill could actually be composted instead. 

So… What Is PLA Bioplastic?

Many “compostable” takeaway cups are lined or made with PLA bioplastic. PLA stands for Polylactic Acid, a plant-based plastic typically made from renewable materials like corn starch or sugarcane. And while that sounds fantastic on paper, here’s the important part many brands skip over: PLA is still plastic!

It may come from plants rather than fossil fuels, but it behaves very differently from paper, cardboard or food scraps when it comes to disposal. PLA cups usually require industrial composting facilities to break down properly, not home compost bins or household recycling systems.

Compostable vs Home Compostable: What’s the Difference?

This is where a LOT of confusion happens. Many people see the word “compostable” and assume it means they can throw it into their backyard compost bin. But there’s actually a huge difference between home compostable and industrial compostable products, lets break it down (pun intended haha)! 

Home Compostable

Home compostable products are designed to break down in backyard compost systems, worm farms or traditional home compost environments. These products break down at lower temperatures over time and are tested to ensure they leave no toxic residue behind.

In Australia, the gold standard certification for home compostable products is: AS 5810.Products certified to AS 5810 must meet strict requirements, including:

• Minimum 90% biodegradation within 180 days
• Disintegration into tiny pieces within 12 weeks
• No toxic effects on compost, plants or earthworms

Industrial Compostable

Industrial composting facilities are very different from a backyard compost setup. Industrial compostable products require specialised facilities with:

• High heat
• Controlled moisture
  
• Oxygen management
  
• Carefully managed microorganisms

The Australian certification standard for industrial compostable products is: AS 4736. 

Industrial compostable products are tested under commercial composting conditions, not household conditions.This is where many smoothie cups (like your BioCup), coffee cups and takeaway containers sit. And unfortunately, despite the labels, many industrial compostable products still end up in landfill because access to industrial composting facilities remains limited across Australia.

The Compostable Logo Confusion

One of the biggest myths we see is people assuming all compostable logos mean the same thing... they don’t.

Industrial compostable certification logos and home compostable certification logos are completely different, but many consumers understandably don’t realise this when quickly grabbing takeaway packaging. Check out the logos below: 

Certified Home Compostable (AS 5810)

Certified Industrial Compostable(AS 4736)

Yep, the industrial compostable label sometimes doesn't actually say 'industrial', confusing right? So remember, just because a product says “compostable” does not automatically mean it can go into your home compost.

Are Compostable Coffee Cups and Smoothie Cups Recyclable in Household Bins?

Short answer: No.

This also surprises a lot of people.Even though PLA cups may look and feel like regular plastic cups, they shouldn't go into household recycling bins. That’s because PLA can contaminate recycling streams and is processed differently from conventional recyclable plastics.The good news is that your paper PLA lined coffee cups can be recycled through designated programs like Simply Cups! You can learn more and find a drop-off location near you here.

What Happens If Compostable Cups End Up In Landfill?

PLA bioplastic products are pretty much inert in landfills, meaning that, unlike organic waste products, they won't break down properly and will generate methane emissions.

Compostable packaging only works properly when the right composting infrastructure is in place. Otherwise, even well-intentioned “eco” packaging can still contribute to waste and emissions problems.

So What SHOULD You Do With Industrial Compostable Packaging?

If you have picked up some industrial compostable packaging along the way, here are a few better options for disposing of it:

1. If You Have a FOFO Bin, Check Your Local Council Rules

FOGO bins are great, but it's important to remember that every Australian council has different requirements.Some councils accept certified industrial compostable packaging, while many still don't. Never assume something can go in your green bin without checking first.

There are some councils that accept PLA products, you can see the full list and find out what your local council composts here. 

2. Look for Composting Programs Near You

Some cafes, restaurants and composting facilities accept certified compostable packaging.A helpful resource is Compost Connect, which helps connect Australians people and businesses with compost collection services.

3. Use Dedicated Cup Recycling Programs

Programs like Simply Cups collect disposable paper cups cups through drop-off locations around Australia.

Is “Compostable” Becoming a Greenwashing Problem?

Honestly… sometimes, yes. Not because compostable products are automatically bad, but because the messaging around them can be really misleading.

Many consumers genuinely believe:

• compostable = recyclable
• compostable = home compostable
• plant-based = harmless anywhere

This confusion can lead to contamination, wishcycling, and products still ending up in landfill. At Go For Zero, we believe sustainability should feel clear, not confusing. The best sustainable option is one that you can safely reuse again and again. And when the product does come to the end of its life, it needs to have clear instructions to ensure it's disposed of correctly.

Sustainable Swaps That Actually Reduce Waste

While compostable cups can sound like the perfect solution, reusable options are often the simplest way to reduce waste without the confusion. Swapping to a reusable cup when getting a take away drink like the Good Cuppa Glass Travel Cup, reusing old glass jars with a Saver Sleeve, using a stainless steel mason jar for smoothies and coffees or a silicone storage pouch for kids helps avoid the uncertainty around recycling and industrial composting altogether. Sometimes the most sustainable option is simply choosing something you already have or something designed to be reused again and again.

The Bottom Line

Compostable cups are not always the simple eco solution they appear to be.Many smoothie cups and coffee cups made from or lined with PLA bioplastic, meaning they:

• are industrial compostable only
• are not suitable for home compost bins
• should not go in household recycling bins

That doesn’t mean all compostable products are bad. It just means understanding the difference matters.The more transparent we are about disposal, infrastructure, and certifications, the easier it becomes for people to make the best low-waste choices without confusion.And honestly, that’s what sustainability should be about.

If you're ready to make low-waste swaps with less confusion, check out our full range of home-compostable products here. As always, if you have any questions, please never hesitate to shoot me a message or send an email to askusanything@goforzero.com.au, we're always happy to help 💚

With Love, 
Ellie xo

 

FAQs

1. Are compostable smoothie cups recyclable?

No. Most compostable smoothie cups made from PLA bioplastic should not be placed in household recycling bins because they can contaminate recycling streams.

2. What is PLA bioplastic?

PLA stands for Polylactic Acid, a plant-based plastic usually made from corn starch or sugarcane. It is typically designed for industrial composting facilities.

3. Can PLA cups go in home compost?

Usually not. Most PLA cups require industrial composting conditions with high heat and controlled environments to properly break down.

4. What’s the difference between home compostable and industrial compostable?

Home compostable products break down in backyard compost systems, while industrial compostable products require commercial composting facilities with specialised conditions.

5. Can compostable cups go in FOGO bins?

It depends on your local council. Every council has different FOGO requirements, so always check directly with your council before disposing of compostable packaging in your green bin.

6. What compostable certification should I look for in Australia?

AS 5810 is the certification standard for home compostable products, while AS 4736 is used for industrial compostable products in Australia.