Biodegradable packaging continues to attract strong consumer interest, but the UK’s waste and regulatory bodies are increasingly warning that many of these claims do not reflect how materials behave in real-world conditions. As DEFRA prepares stronger rules for 2026 and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) intensifies enforcement under the Green Claims Code, biodegradable labels are quickly becoming the focal point for clarity, accuracy and compliance.
For years, biodegradable packaging has suffered from vague or incomplete on-pack language. Terms like “biodegradable,” “eco-friendly,” “breaks down naturally,” or “earth-safe” often appear without any explanation of the conditions required for degradation. The CMA’s 2025 review found that a large portion of products using these terms lacked evidence or context, leaving consumers unsure whether the packaging should be put into recycling, garden waste, food waste, or general waste. This creates widespread contamination in recycling facilities and composting systems alike.
Waste-sector leaders have been vocal about the issue. National composting trials show that many bioplastics, including PLA, do not break down in household food-waste collections or in-home composting bins. Temperatures in home composting rarely exceed 40°C, far below the levels needed for industrial composting. As a result, materials labelled “home compostable” often persist for months or years. Meanwhile, industrial composting facilities are not universally available across the UK, meaning that materials certified for industrial breakdown rarely reach the appropriate environment.
These realities are prompting regulators to demand clearer, more precise biodegradable labels. DEFRA is exploring whether claims should be banned altogether unless they meet strict testing requirements and reference credible standards such as EN 13432, EN 17033 or TÜV Austria certifications. Labels may soon be required to specify explicitly whether a material is suitable for home composting, industrial composting, or neither — including conditions for breakdown and timelines based on verified testing.
This shift is already influencing retailers. Many UK supermarkets have tightened onboarding rules for biodegradable packaging, requiring certification before listing products. Some now reject compostable films and biodegradable plastics for fear of mis-sorting and contamination within their own recycling audits. Retailers increasingly expect biodegradable labels to include clear disposal instructions and QR-linked pathways that help consumers determine the correct waste stream.
For brands, the labelling implications are significant. Biodegradable labels must now communicate not just the presence of biodegradable materials but also the limitations. Is the material accepted in kerbside food-waste collections? Is it only compostable in industrial conditions? Will it contaminate plastics recycling if discarded incorrectly? Without detailed guidance, even well-intentioned biodegradable packaging can undermine recycling performance.
Extended-content labelling formats — such as peel-and-reveal layers — are becoming more common as brands try to fit longer explanations, certifications and disposal instructions without overwhelming the main design. These multi-layer labels allow companies to maintain visual appeal while providing the clarity regulators and waste operators are demanding.
Heading into 2026, biodegradable labelling will need to be transparent, evidence-based and extremely precise. As regulators close gaps in the current system and retailers enforce stricter requirements, brands that invest in clear, certified biodegradable labels will be far better positioned to maintain compliance and build consumer trust.