In Australia, the gold standards for compostable plastics are defined by two key certifications: AS 4736 and AS 5810. These standards guarantee that a product will break down into nutrient-rich soil without leaving harmful microplastics behind.
To protect your business from greenwashing claims, you must know how to spot the right label. This post explains the practical differences between these two Australian standards and provides a checklist for verifying official certifications.
What is the AS 4736 Standard?
If a product meets the AS 4736 standard, it means that it’s designed for industrial composting. The composting process requires high temperatures (usually 55℃-60℃). These temperatures are only reached in large-scale, municipal composting facilities.
To get this certification, the material has to go through some pretty rigorous testing.
Key Requirements
- Biodegradation: At least 90% of the organic carbon in the plastic must convert to CO2 within 180 days.
- Fragmentation: After 12 weeks of composting, at least 90% of the material must be able to pass through a 2mm sieve. Basically, it should not leave any plastic debris.
- Ecotoxicity: The resulting compost is used to grow plants. If the plants don’t grow as well as they do in “normal” compost, the material fails. It has to be safe for the soil.
- Worm Test: Australian standards have an additional requirement of worm toxicity test. The certified material doesn’t have toxic effect to earthworms.
How to Identify the Logo?
How do you know if a bag meets this? Look for the seedling logo. It looks like a little loop of a plant growing. If you’re a distributor, having this logo on your sustainable packaging bags is like a badge of honor. It tells your customers that this bag belongs in the organic waste bin.
What is the AS 5810 Standard?
The AS 5810 standard is for home composting. Industrial composting is like a professional furnace, while home composting is more like a slow simmer. Home compost heaps are usually smaller, cooler, and less managed. AS 5810 ensures that a product will break down even in these less-than-ideal conditions.
Although a home composting system is distinct from that of an industrial facility, the core requirements for the certification standard are the same as AS 5736 standard. Due to different conditions between home and industrial compost, the testing period for this standard is at least 12 months.
How to Spot the Home Compostable Logo?
The logo for AS 5810 is a little picture of a home compost bin with a “recycling” icon. When a customer sees this mark, they know they don’t need a special council service. They can just toss the bag in with their apple peels and grass clippings.
What is the Difference Between AS 4736 and AS 5810?
The difference between these 2 standard is all about the degradation conditions and the time it takes to break down.
| Feature | AS 4736 | AS 5810 |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 55℃-60℃ (High Heat) | Ambient (20°C – 30°C) |
| Disposal Method | Commercial Facility | Backyard Compost / Worm Farm |
| Primary Logo | The Seedling | The Home Compost Bin |
| Toxicity Test | Plant growth + Worm toxicity | Plant growth + Worm toxicity |
Why AS 5810 is a Tougher Achievement?
From a manufacturing standpoint, making something that meets AS 5810 is much harder. You have to create a material that is strong enough to hold heavy groceries but “weak” enough that a few worms and some backyard bacteria can decompose it at a lower temperature.
All AS 5810 materials are generally acceptable in industrial facilities, but not all AS 4736 materials will break down in a home compost bin. If you aren’t sure how your customers are going to disposae of the packaging, AS 5810 certified ones are the safest bet.
Why is AS 5810 So Important?
If you’re a distributor of compostable bags, you might be wondering if it’s worth the extra effort to source AS 5810 products. The answer is a resounding yes.
Consumer Accessibility and the FOGO Gap
Australia is doing great with FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) bins, but we aren’t there yet. Many apartments and several local councils still don’t have a dedicated bin for compostable plastics.
If you sell a bag that is only AS 4736 (Industrial), and your customer doesn’t have a FOGO bin, that bag is going straight into the red landfill bin. Once it’s in a landfill, it’s deprived of oxygen and won’t compost properly. It might even produce methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas. AS 5810 solves this by giving the power back to the consumer.
Reducing Landfill
When you provide AS 5810 packaging, you’re giving your customers an “out.” They don’t have to feel guilty about throwing a bag away because they can literally turn it into food for their lemons. It’s a eye-catching selling point for brands that want to prove they actually care about the environment, not just the “green” aesthetic.
Ecosystem Safety
Stringent toxicity testing—including earthworm survival trials—ensures that home-compostable products support healthy, productive gardens. Because the resulting residue is free from heavy metals and toxic elements, these products are classified as true soil amendments rather than mere waste. From an ecological perspective, materials meeting this standard provide a dual benefit: they remain entirely harmless to the environment while contributing essential nutrients back to the soil.
Navigating Australian Policy Trends and Plastic Bans
The legislative landscape in Australia is shifting fast. States like South Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales have already implemented strict bans on various single-use plastics.
In many of these jurisdictions, the only “plastic” bags allowed are those that are certified compostable. As laws tighten, AS 5810 is becoming the baseline. If you want your business to be “future-proof,” you need to be looking at home compostable standards now.
How to Verify Certification and Avoid Greenwashing
Before purchasing, how do you make sure the supplier isn’t just telling you what you want to hear? I’ve seen plenty of “fake” certificates, and it’s a mess you don’t want to be part of.
The Role of the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA)
The ABA administers the certification for both AS 4736 and AS 5810. They don’t just take the manufacturer’s word for it; they require independent lab testing.
Look For the License Number
A legitimate certified product will have two things:
- The correct logo (Seedling or Home Bin).
- A license number (usually 4 or 5 digits).
You can actually go the Australasian Bioplastics Association website and search that license number. If the company name doesn’t match the number, or the number isn’t there, it’s likely a generic biodegradable plastic that doesn’t meet the Australian standards.
Warning: While the EN 13432 standard (Europe) is similar to AS 4736, it doesn’t include the “worm test”. To be legally safe in the Aussie market, you want those AS numbers.
Conclusion
Ultimately, choosing between AS 4736 and AS 5810 depends on your target customer and the product’s intended disposal route.
If you are a supplier providing bin liners to commercial kitchens with access to industrial composting, AS 4736 is the ideal standard; it is specifically engineered for high-heat, high-volume processing. However, for distributors selling mailers, shopping bags, or produce bags directly to the public, AS 5810 is the superior choice. It offers the greatest flexibility for users and aligns with the growing demand for home-compostable solutions among Australian consumers.
Embracing compostable plastics is a opportunity to lead the market. By prioritizing AS 5810 certified products, you are providing a tangible solution to the plastic crisis rather than just selling a commodity.
When evaluating specifications, look beyond marketing claims. Verify the presence of the ABA logo and a valid license number to ensure the product fits the Australian lifestyle. To guarantee your packaging meets these standards, always check for official certification or consult with a specialist to ensure your business remains a leader in sustainability.
