You have finished using a bag, food container or piece of cutlery marked “compostable”. Where should you put it?
The correct answer depends on the product’s certification and your local waste service. Some products are designed for home composting, while others require a commercial composting facility.
Compostable products should not automatically go into FOGO, recycling or general household compost.
Quick Disposal Guide
| Product certification | Intended environment | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| AS 5810 | Well-managed home compost | Follow the product instructions and exclude unsafe or contaminated contents |
| AS 4736 | Commercial composting | Check whether your council or waste contractor accepts it |
| No recognised certification | Unconfirmed | Follow local general-waste guidance |
| Compostable product in recycling | Not suitable | Keep it out of conventional recycling unless specifically accepted |
Certification confirms that a product meets a compostability standard. It does not guarantee acceptance by every council or processing facility.
What Is Home Composting?
Home composting combines suitable food scraps, garden material, moisture, oxygen and microorganisms to create compost.
Household compost systems generally operate at lower and less consistent temperatures than commercial facilities. The process can be affected by:
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Weather and seasonal temperature changes
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Moisture levels
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Oxygen and aeration
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Compost-bin size
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Microbial activity
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How regularly the material is turned
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The thickness of the compostable product
Products certified to Australian Standard AS 5810 are tested for conditions representative of well-managed home composting.
However, home-compostable does not mean the product will disappear immediately. It still requires active composting conditions and sufficient time.
What Is Commercial Composting?
Commercial or industrial composting facilities process organic material under controlled conditions.
These facilities can manage:
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Higher temperatures
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Moisture levels
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Oxygen supply
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Microbial activity
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Processing duration
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Material size and composition
Products certified to Australian Standard AS 4736 are intended for commercial composting conditions.
A product certified only to AS 4736 should not automatically be placed in backyard compost because a household system may not provide the conditions required for it to break down properly.
Can Compostable Products Go into FOGO?
Sometimes—but not automatically.
FOGO stands for Food Organics and Garden Organics. Australian councils use FOGO services to divert accepted food and garden material from landfill.
Rules for compostable products differ between councils and processing facilities. Depending on your location, the service may:
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Accept certified AS 4736 caddy liners
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Accept only council-supplied liners
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Exclude compostable packaging
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Exclude dog waste and dog poop bags
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Exclude disposable gloves and cutlery
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Require food scraps to be placed directly into the bin
Before placing any compostable product into FOGO, check your council’s current guidelines.
Can Compostable Products Go into Recycling?
Compostable plastics generally should not be placed in a standard kerbside recycling bin.
They may look similar to conventional plastic, but they are made to behave differently at the end of their useful life. Mixing compostable products with recyclable plastics can contaminate the recycling stream.
Unless your recycling provider gives specific instructions, keep compostable products out of the yellow-lidded recycling bin.
Can Compostable Products Go into General Waste?
When no suitable composting service is available, your council may instruct you to place the product in general waste.
However, compostable products may not break down as intended in landfill. Landfills generally lack the controlled oxygen, moisture, temperature and microbial conditions required for effective composting.
This is why it is important to consider the available disposal pathway before purchasing a compostable product.
What About Food, Chemicals and Animal Waste?
The contents of a compostable product also affect how it should be disposed of.
Do not place a compostable item into home compost or FOGO when it contains material that the system does not accept.
This may include:
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Dog or other animal waste
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Bodily fluids
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Cleaning chemicals
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Hazardous substances
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Non-compostable packaging
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Stickers, ties or labels
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Food excluded by your local service
Compostable dog poop bags, for example, should not automatically go into home compost or FOGO. Many councils require bagged pet waste to be placed in general waste because it may contain pathogens.
How to Identify the Correct Composting Standard
Look for recognised certification rather than relying only on the word “compostable”.
In Australia:
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AS 5810 identifies products verified for home-composting conditions.
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AS 4736 identifies products verified for commercial composting conditions.
The Australasian Bioplastics Association manages independent verification programs and licenses the relevant certification logos.
Always check both the logo and any disposal instructions printed on the product.
Choosing and Disposing of Bonnie Bio Products
Bonnie Bio provides compostable alternatives for household, workplace and commercial applications.
The range includes:
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Food-storage and household alternatives
Before disposing of a Bonnie Bio product:
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Read the product and packaging instructions.
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Identify whether it is home or commercially compostable.
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Check your council or waste provider’s current rules.
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Remove non-compostable attachments where practical.
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Consider what the product has contained.
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Place it in the approved waste stream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does home compostable mean it can go into FOGO?
No. AS 5810 confirms suitability for home-composting conditions, but FOGO acceptance is determined by the council and processing facility.
Does commercially compostable mean it can go into every green bin?
No. Even AS 4736-certified products must be accepted by the local collection service.
Can compostable bags go into recycling?
Generally, no. Compostable plastics can contaminate conventional plastic-recycling streams.
Will compostable products break down in landfill?
They may not break down as intended because landfill does not normally provide controlled composting conditions.
Can I compost dog poop bags at home?
Dog waste may contain harmful pathogens. Use a dedicated pet-waste system only where appropriate, keep it away from edible plants and follow local guidance.
Good Products Need Good Disposal Habits
Choosing a certified compostable product is only the first step. Correct disposal determines whether the product reaches the environment for which it was designed.
Read the certification, check your local waste rules and use the appropriate disposal stream. This turns a positive purchasing decision into a more meaningful environmental outcome.
