The short answer: A single package can rarely credibly claim both.
The Core Problem: Two Opposite Engineering Goals
Recyclable packaging is designed to maintain structural integrity through collection, sorting, and reprocessing. Compostable packaging is engineered to break down under specific biological conditions. These aren't just different marketing terms. They're fundamentally different end-of-life pathways that typically conflict at the material science level.
Think of it this way: asking for packaging that's both recyclable and compostable is like asking for a material that's simultaneously waterproof and water-soluble. The requirements work against each other.
What "Recyclable" Actually Means
The Federal Trade Commission's Green Guides set clear standards: packaging should only be marketed as recyclable if it can be collected, separated, and recovered through established recycling programs. When fewer than 60% of consumers have access to recycling for that specific package format, the claim must be qualified.
This isn't about whether a material could theoretically be recycled. It's about whether the infrastructure exists where your customers actually live.
What "Compostable" Actually Requires
Compostable claims require competent scientific evidence that all materials will break down into usable compost safely and in a timely manner. But here's the critical detail most brands miss: "compostable" typically means industrial composting facilities, not backyard compost bins.
Standards like ASTM D6400 and D6868 specify the exact conditions required thermophilic temperatures and controlled environments that most home composting setups never reach. The EPA explicitly notes that unless packaging clearly states it's suitable for home composting, consumers shouldn't attempt it.
Why Dual Claims Create Real Problems
When compostable plastics enter recycling streams, they contaminate batches of conventional plastic recycling. The EPA guidance specifically warns that compostable plastics are not intended for recycling and actively disrupt the recycling process when mixed with petroleum-based plastics.
This means a "recyclable and compostable" claim without extreme precision doesn't just confuse consumers, but it can actively harm both systems.
The Multi-Layer Trap
Most packaging uses multiple layers bonded together for performance: moisture barriers, puncture resistance, seal strength. The FTC addresses this directly: even if individual layers are recyclable on their own, the bonded composite often isn't processable in existing systems.
The same issue applies to compostability. One non-compostable layer in a multi-material package means the whole package fails compostability standards, even if other layers would break down independently.
When Both Claims Can Actually Be True
Simple, single-material packaging like plain kraft paper can legitimately be both recyclable and compostable. Uncoated paper bags, basic cardboard boxes, and similar paper-based packaging without plastic linings or heavy inks can go into either recycling or composting systems without causing problems.
The key qualifiers: no coatings, no laminations, no plastic windows, no foil liners. Just paper. Once you add layers or treatments for moisture resistance, grease barriers, or enhanced durability, you're typically back to choosing one pathway or the other.
Even when both claims are technically accurate, most brands still pick one disposal instruction to put on the label. It's simpler for consumers and helps ensure the material actually makes it into a recovery system instead of the trash.
The Better Approach: Choose One Path and Own It
For Recyclable Packaging:
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Select materials and formats aligned with established recycling programs in your markets
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Use clear, qualified labeling that reflects actual consumer access
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Partner with programs like How2Recycle for standardized disposal instructions
For Compostable Packaging:
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Design specifically for either industrial or home composting, or ensure packaging is labeled clearly when both are an option
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Use certified materials meeting ASTM D6400 or D6868 standards where appropriate
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Clearly communicate what type of composting facility is required
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Verify that your customers actually have access to appropriate facilities
What This Means for Your Brand
Sustainable packaging isn't about collecting the most eco-buzzwords. It's about selecting a disposal pathway that actually works for your product, your supply chain, and your customers' real infrastructure access.
The brands that build trust aren't the ones making the biggest claims, but rather the ones making accurate claims that consumers can successfully act on.
Making the Right Choice for Your Products
Consider these factors when selecting your packaging pathway:
Choose recyclable when:
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Your customers have reliable access to recycling programs for your package format
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You're using widely accepted materials (certain plastics, paper, cardboard, metal)
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Your packaging structure is simple enough for existing sorting systems
Choose compostable when:
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You're selling through channels where industrial composting access is verified
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Your packaging will have heavy food contamination that disqualifies recycling but works for composting systems
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You can provide clear guidance on proper composting disposal
Choose neither claim when:
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Your packaging format isn't widely accepted by either system
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You can't verify customer access to appropriate facilities
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Multi-layer construction prevents effective processing
A Note on Compliance
Packaging regulations vary by jurisdiction and continue to evolve. This article provides educational context based on current FTC Green Guides, EPA guidance, and industry standards, but is not legal or regulatory compliance advice. Always consult with compliance professionals when making packaging claims for your specific products and markets.
Getting Packaging Right the First Time
At EcoPackables, we help brands select packaging materials and formats that align with real disposal infrastructure. Whether you need recyclable solutions for maximum accessibility or compostable options for appropriate applications, we'll help you match your packaging to systems that actually work.
Ready to take the next step? We're here to find the best packaging for you and your customers.