The fashion industry is known for having a significant impact on the environment, generating an enormous amount of waste. As a result, there is a growing awareness and interest in compostable and biodegradable fashion material as a sustainable and circular alternative. Compostable fashion items are specifically designed to be biodegradable and can break down into natural elements, such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, given the right conditions of heat, moisture, and oxygen. However, to fully realize the potential of compostable fashion items, proper infrastructure and facilities for disposal are necessary. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of industrial compost facilities and their potential role in the future of compostable fashion items, while highlighting the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders of the supply chain including material companies, the fashion industry, and waste management facilities to support a circular future.

What is meant when we say compostable fashion items? 

Compostable fashion items are clothing or accessories made from materials that are specifically designed to biodegrade in a composting environment. These items are typically made from naturalfibers that can break down into natural elements, such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, under the right conditions of heat, moisture, and oxygen. Compostable fashion items are designed to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, as they can be broken down into nutrient-rich compost that can be used to improve soil health and support plant growth. However, it's important to note that for compostable fashion items to fully biodegrade, they need to be disposed of in a composting environment that provides the necessary conditions for decomposition. This is where industrial compost facilities come into play. 

Industrial compost facilities

Industrial compost facilities are equipped to handle large quantities of organic waste and turn it into compost that can be used for agriculture, landscaping, and other purposes. Industrial compost facilities create a controlled environment that promotes the decomposition of organic waste through the use of microorganisms and other natural processes, typically using large machines to shred and mix organic materials, creating optimal conditions for microbial activity, and accelerate the decomposition process. The temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels are carefully monitored to ensure that the conditions are ideal for decomposition. The resulting compost can then be sold as a soil amendment or used for landscaping, agriculture, and other applications. The benefits of industrial compost facilities are numerous. First and foremost, composting diverts organic waste from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a valuable resource in the form of compost. Compost improves soil quality, reduces erosion, and increases water retention, making it an essential ingredient for sustainable agriculture. 

Balena is closing the loop

By using compostable fashion items and composting them in industrial facilities, the fashion industry can contribute to a closed-loop system, where  materials are returned to the soil safely - a process we refer to as BioCycling (Biological Recycling). In order to facilitate BioCycling of a wider range of fashion products, we developed BioCir®, an advanced, flexible, biobased and fully compostable thermoplastic material. 

Collaboration between the fashion industry and waste management facilities is essential to fully realize the potential of compostable fashion items. Industrial compost facilities need to have the capacity to handle large quantities of organic waste, while the fashion industry needs to design products and choose right materials with composting in mind. Through joint efforts, the two industries can support a sustainable future and reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry. 

At Balena, we are actively collaborating with various industrial partners and have initiated material field-test pilots worldwide to establish the necessary infrastructure for the Biocycling model we promote. We currently have pilot tests with Epic Renewal, Veteran Compost, and Dirt Wain. These synergistic partnerships propel us toward a shared sustainable and circular future. Credibility is further established by the nature of our B2B model, ensuring that all products delivered to facilities are genuinely compostable. This distinction is crucial, as single-use compostable items frequently contribute to significant issues when improperly sorted, leading to compostable products in landfills and non-compostable items in compost facilities.

 As we continue to process and compost materials globally, the next step will be to pilot the model in an existing business context.

 Tzachi Shem Tov, head of operations at Balena, emphasizes the crucial role of credibility and awareness in the effective collaboration between fashion brands and waste management facilities stating  "Credibility is essential in that brands must have a unique product made of materials that have been tried and field tested for its compostable and biodegradable reliability such as Balena’s BioCir material. The mutual credibility ensures that both parties can trust the composting cycle and contribute to a sustainable future. Balena's BioCycling process is a great example of this. By using compostable and biodegradable materials and composting them in industrial facilities, Balena is contributing to a closed-loop system where materials are safely returned to the soil leaving no toxic waste behind”. 

Tzachi further emphasizes that  “Awareness is also important in promoting sustainable practices across different industries. By being aware of the benefits of composting and other sustainable practices, both the fashion industry and waste management facilities can work together to create a circular economy, create new business partnerships and reduce their environmental impact. Balena is thrilled to collaborate with innovators in the compost industry, including the companies mentioned above, and we are actively seeking additional innovators to join our network."

Learn more about our materials here