Frequently
Asked
Questions.

Yes. All Biolo products are certified by TÜV as OK Compost HOME and OK Compost INDUSTRIAL. TÜV is one of the world's leading inspection, testing, and certification organizations. Each product undergoes TÜV's full certification process — analyzing biodegradation, disintegration, compost toxicity, and ecotoxicity. Biolo Straws are also BPI Compostable certified, the only third-party verification of ASTM compostability standards in North America.

TÜV Austria is one of the world's leading independent certification bodies. Their OK Compost HOME and OK Compost INDUSTRIAL marks are internationally recognized standards for compostability. Products must pass rigorous testing of biodegradation rate, disintegration, compost quality, and ecological safety to receive certification.

BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) is the only third-party verifier of ASTM compostability standards for products sold in North America. BPI certification means a product has been independently tested and confirmed to compost properly in commercial composting facilities — the gold standard for operators running municipal and commercial composting programs.

Biodegradable simply means a product will break down into smaller natural elements — but there's no regulated timeline and no guarantee of what it breaks down into. Compostable is a higher standard: the product must break down into nutrient-dense soil within a defined timeframe in a compostable environment. All compostable products are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable products are compostable. Many plastic alternatives use vague "biodegradable" claims to their advantage — always look for certified compostable labels backed by independent testing.

No. Water alone will not break down Biolo products. Degradation requires microbial catalysts — microbes present in compost, soil, and other natural environments. This is exactly why Biolo straws hold up throughout your entire drink without going soggy.

No. Heat alone will not break down Biolo products. Like water, heat is not sufficient on its own — microbial activity is required to initiate and complete the degradation process.

Yes. Like most environments on our planet, a landfill is a bioactive environment. Biolo products require 180 days or less to fully biodegrade in an unsealed landfill and leave behind no microplastics. If Biolo products are sealed within a landfill before complete biodegradation, they will serve as a future renewable carbon source.

Yes. In dry, cool storage, Biolo products will not begin their natural degradation process. They only start degrading when they come into contact with microbes found in compost, soil, and other natural environments — not from sitting in a dry storeroom or on a shelf.

Store Biolo straws in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight and moisture. Standard indoor storage conditions are ideal — the same conditions you'd use for any foodservice supply. Avoid storing in humid environments for extended periods.

Currently there are no federal laws banning single-use plastics in the US, but many states — including California and New York — have enacted bans covering significant portions of the single-use plastics market. The number of cities and states implementing these bans grows each year. Biolo products are considered a suitable, certified alternative to traditional single-use plastics and are compliant with these programs.

Yes. Biolo straws hold both TÜV OK Compost INDUSTRIAL and BPI Compostable certifications — the two leading standards accepted by commercial and municipal composting programs across the US. These certifications are specifically designed to support operators, municipalities, and facilities running certified composting infrastructure.