In India today, the issue of sustainability is under more scrutiny than ever before; from plastic bag bans to the development of environmentally friendly packaging. Terms such as compostable, biodegradable, eco-friendly, and green are now in abundant use, whether they appear on supermarket shelves, printed on an online food order, or in local markets such as Sabzi Mandi.

However, the reality remains that the education gap between consumers and their understanding of compostable versus biodegradable products is significant. Even though consumers may be more aware of these topics than before, the confusion over how to properly dispose of items made from each material type has left many with mixed feelings about both compostable and biodegradable bags.

Misunderstandings regarding the appropriate disposal method can lead to greater contamination of the waste stream than if the waste is disposed of properly, ultimately resulting in ineffective composting efforts and additional environmental harm. Many brands such as Dr. Earth, which provide certified compostable product options, are still left trying to share the message that not every “green” bag produced is a true sustainable solution.

In order to create a cleaner, greener, and more responsible future for India, clear definitions of composting and biodegradation must be established and communicated to the public.

The Growing Popularity of “Eco-Friendly” Bags in India

Every year India produces millions of tonnes of plastic waste. Many landfills are already full with waste, and plastic continues to contaminate our waterways, soil and food chain; therefore, alternative forms of plastic bags must be created for use rather than as an option or luxury.

As a result, the market has seen a rise in:

• Biodegradable Carry Bags
• Compostable Garbage Bags
• Plant-Based Packaging Materials – Cornstarch
• Cornstarch and organic polymer bags

Dr. Earth is one of the companies that offers compostable bags designed for waste conditions in India. Although these options give the consumer a sense of empowerment, they are often confused by the various types of bags available. Many consumers believe they are all equal, and, therefore, good for the environment.

Where the Confusion Actually Begins

The confusion regarding compostable bags versus biodegradable bags is not just the consumer’s fault; numerous factors are involved in creating this confusion:

• Terms with similar-sounding meanings.
• Marketing claims that are vague or misleading.
• Unclear information on how to dispose of the bags.
• A lack of public knowledge about waste science.

Many consumers wish only to avoid using plastic. For them, when a bag states it will decompose naturally, this is sufficient for them to use that bag, without questioning how long it will take, when it will breakdown and what it will become after breaking down.

What “Biodegradable” Really Means

Biodegradable” sounds good to most people; it suggests a product will be able to break down naturally with the assistance of microorganisms. The term is quite broad and poorly defined, especially in India.

Biodegradable does not guarantee:

• A set time frame for breaking down.
• The biodegradable substance will be transformed into substances that are not harmful (non-toxic).
• That microplastics will not be produced.
• The biodegradable product will be suitable for compost or use in soil.

In many cases, so-called biodegradable plastic bags:

• Take years to degrade
• Break into microplastics instead of fully decomposing
• Require specific industrial conditions rarely available in Indian landfills

Many biodegradable plastic bags can take several years to degrade; they do not fully break down, but they instead become microplastics, and they require a specific set of conditions in order to be broken down. Such conditions are rarely found in Indian landfills.

What Compostable Bags Actually Are

Compostable bags are manufactured to biodegrade into natural materials such as water, carbon dioxide, and compostable organic materials that are non-toxic. Compostable bags that have been certified to degrade in real-world Indian conditions have been designed by manufacturers, such as Dr. Earth, to support composting operations in India (which includes proper composting conditions). 

When disposed of properly (to support biodegradation), compostable bags will:

• Have a defined life span before they decompose
• Not leave behind microplastics or hazardous residues
• Support soil health

Many compostable bags are made from natural, plant-based materials, like cornstarch, cellulose, and organic polymers.

Important distinction: 

Compostable does not mean “throw it anywhere.”

These bags require proper composting conditions through:

• Home composting systems (for certified home-compostable bags)
• Industrial composting facilities

Without these conditions, even compostable products cannot deliver their full environmental benefit.

Why This Difference Matters So Much in India

The Indian waste management system continues to evolve, although it is currently evolving at a pace where there is increasing public knowledge of waste management, but waste management systems such as waste segregation practices, as well as the infrastructure needed to support them, are not uniform across India.

Common challenges include:

• Poor waste segregation by producers
• limited compostability infrastructure
• rubbish being composted, which is mixed with 
• Informal dumping/or illegal disposal is being committed. 

In this type of system, confusion about packaging materials may result in people disposing of them incorrectly. 

For example:

• If a compostable bag is mixed in with other plastic recyclables, it can cause contamination of the recyclables.
• If a biodegradable bag is thrown in the dirt, it may also contribute to the release of microplastic particles into the soil.
• If organic waste is placed in something that cannot be composted, the organic waste will not be able to decompose successfully.

Brands like Dr. Earth support composting and offer compostable products, but without educating consumers, even the best products cannot be used correctly. 

The Role of Green Marketing and Misleading Labels

One of the primary causes of confusion about these products is how they are marketed. 

Many products, including bags, are marketed with terms like: 

• Eco-friendly
• Green plastic
• Natural
• Earth-safe

Because there are no clearly defined procedures or certifications for most of these terms and their meanings, consumers think these statements mean that products will biodegrade or compost properly. However, many manufacturers use the word “biodegradable” as an advertising tool rather than as a scientifically based guarantee.

For products to be composted properly, the products go through additional testing and certifications than other products, which responsible manufacturers like Dr. Earth are dedicated to doing, but there are usually no simple explanations as to what these processes and policies entail.

Cultural Habits and Disposal Mindsets

In Indian culture, waste has historically been disposed of linearly, or in a “linear waste pattern,” which means:

Use → Throw → Forget

The idea that the way a product is disposed of will affect the environmental impact of that product has not been widely accepted. In addition, composting has not yet become part of the daily routine for most people living in urban Indian areas.

As a result:

• Consumers expect eco-friendly bags to “disappear” on their own
• Disposal responsibility is often overlooked
• Compostable and biodegradable bags are treated as identical

Until disposal habits evolve, material innovation alone cannot solve the problem.

Price and Accessibility Add to the Confusion

Cost also plays a role:

• The cost for biodegradable bags is typically lower than the cost of compostable.
• Compostable bags are higher priced because they are made of a certified biodegradable material and processed using accepted methods.

Due to the marketing of both bags as ʺgreenʺ many consumers buying these bags tend to go with the less expensive option, believing the benefits of both are identical. Thus, many compostable products, such as Dr. Earth, are not being purchased because many consumers do not recognize the potential environmental benefits of using compostable products.

The Environmental Cost of Confusion

Misunderstanding compostable and biodegradable products has created:

• wasted compost systems
• Increased landfill contamination
• continued microplastic contamination
• delays to creating a circular economy.

This confusion creates a big headache for consumers, waste managers, cities, and brands that consider themselves sustainable.

What Needs to Change Going Forward

Reducing confusion requires action from all stakeholders:

• Every stakeholder needs to do their part to help reduce problem confusion.
• Brands need to communicate clearly and avoid using ambiguous green claims.
• Municipalities need to improve segregation and composting systems.
• Certifications need to be visible and easy to read.
• Consumers need to be educated rather than simply encouraged to use composting products.

Companies like Dr. Earth have a major role in educating consumers about the correct use and disposal of certified compostable products.

From “Eco-Friendly” to “Eco-Responsible” Choices

Much of the problem lies not with consumers but with the lack of information provided to them. Once consumers can identify the differences between biodegradable and compostable products, they will be better equipped to make informed, eco-responsible decisions.

It may seem like small actions—choosing certified compostable bags, disposing of them properly, and supporting transparent companies like Dr. Earth—but when combined, these consumer actions will create significant positive change.

Sustainable products are not defined by their labels; the focus of sustainability should be based on the outcomes created from the use of those products.

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