compostable

IPA/kəmˈpɒstəbl/
IPA/kəmˈpəʊstəbl/

compostable — adjective

  • compostablepositive
  • more compostablecomparative
  • most compostablesuperlative

1. able to break down and turn into compost after disposal instead of staying as or

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

able to break down and turn into compost after disposal instead of staying as ordinary rubbish

Example

The festival switched to compostable cups for the food stalls.

attributive: compostable + cup

These sandwich boxes are compostable, so put them in the green bin.

predicative: be + compostable

Common collocations
  • compostable cup
  • compostable plate
  • compostable bowl
  • compostable fork
  • compostable bag
  • compostable packaging
  • compostable liner
  • compostable tea bag
  • compostable takeaway box
Synonyms
  • biodegradable

    broader — something biodegradable breaks down naturally, but it may not become usable compost

  • decomposable

    broader and less common — focuses on breaking down, not specifically on compost

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

compostable + noun

be + compostable

Usage Note

Often used for packaging, food containers, and other items meant for compost collection. Do not confuse it with 'recyclable': compostable items are meant to break down into compost, not to be melted or processed into new material.

Common Mistakes

These cups are compostable, so the factory can melt them into new cups.
These cups are recyclable, so the factory can melt them into new cups.
'compostable' is about breaking down into compost, not being remade in a factory.
This bag is compostable, so it is fine to drop it on the ground.
This bag is compostable, but it still needs to go into the right compost bin.
'compostable' describes disposal in a composting system, not harmless litter.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Compostable is used for things that can break down into compost in the right composting system, especially food packaging, cups, bags, and tableware. Biodegradable is broader: it only says something will break down naturally over time, not that the result is suitable for compost. Recyclable points in a different direction, because the material is collected and processed into something new instead of rotting away. Reusable is different again, because the item is meant to stay in use many times before disposal. For example, a paper bowl may be compostable, a glass bottle is often reusable, and an aluminium can is recyclable.

compostable ↗biodegradable ↗recyclablereusable ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • fully compostable
  • commercially compostable
  • industrially compostable

Phrases

  • compostable food packaging
  • compostable cups and plates
  • compostable bin liner

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed in English from compost and the suffix '-able'. Compost came into English through French from Latin roots connected with putting things together, and compostable developed to describe materials that can break down into compost after use.