Compostable Cling Film UK: The Honest Guide
Jan
Compostable cling film does most of the jobs plastic cling film does. It costs more, and it only helps the planet if it ends up in the right place. This guide gives you the facts in one place, then points you to our detailed guides on each question.
Quick answer
- Compostable cling film is a plastic made from compostable polymers such as PLA and PBAT. It is not plastic-free.
- Look for EN 13432 for industrial composting, or OK compost HOME if you want to compost it in your garden.
- It covers bowls and wraps sandwiches well. It stretches less than standard cling film.
- Many UK councils do not accept it in food waste caddies. Check yours before you buy.
- It costs several times more per metre than supermarket cling film.
- If you have no home compost bin and your council will not take it, a reusable lid or container does the job better.
What is compostable cling film made of?
Most compostable cling films use a blend of three materials:
- PLA, or polylactic acid, made from fermented plant sugars such as corn starch. It gives the film clarity and strength.
- PBAT, a compostable polyester that adds stretch. Manufacturers usually make PBAT from fossil fuels.
- Starch from corn or potato, which some films add to help them break down.
All three are plastics. The difference lies in what happens after use. Under the right conditions, microbes break compostable film down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass. Standard cling film uses PVC or polyethene, and it does not break down in compost.
Any brand that calls compostable film plastic-free is misleading you. We call ours compostable plastic, because that is what it is.
Which certificates should you look for?
The certificate tells you where the film will break down. Check it before you buy.
| Certificate | What it proves | Where the film breaks down |
|---|---|---|
| OK compost HOME | TÜV Austria certification for home composting | A garden compost bin at normal outdoor temperatures, within 12 months |
| EN 13432 | Meets the European standard for industrial composting | An industrial composting site at around 55 to 60°C, within about 12 weeks |
| OK compost INDUSTRIAL | TÜV Austria certification to the industrial standard | An industrial composting site |
| Seedling logo | Certified to EN 13432 | An industrial composting site |
| ASTM D6400 | The US standard for industrial composting | An industrial composting site |
Two rules matter most:
- EN 13432 on its own does not mean home compostable. A garden compost heap rarely gets hot enough.
- A certified product carries a licence number you can check with the certifier. A claim of “compostable” with no certificate proves nothing.
For a full explanation of what each standard tests, read Is compostable cling film compostable?
How does it perform in a UK kitchen?
Compostable cling film handles the jobs most households use cling film for: covering bowls, wrapping sandwiches, and wrapping cut fruit and cheese for the fridge. Expect three differences:
- It stretches less, so wrap awkward shapes with two pieces instead of pulling one tight.
- It grips best on a dry rim. Wipe the edge of the bowl first.
- It tears if you pull it at an angle. Draw it out straight and use the cutter.
Freezer and microwave use varies from product to product. Some films suit the freezer and short microwave reheats, and others do not. Follow the instructions on the box. Our guide to using cling film in the fridge, freezer and microwave covers temperature limits and step-by-step use.
Our film: Fridge: yes. Freezer: yes. Microwave: yes
Does compostable cling film break down?
Yes, under the right conditions. Microbes need oxygen, moisture and warmth to break the film down. Films certified for industrial composting also need the high heat of a commercial site.
In a landfill, compostable film does not compost because landfills lack oxygen. Dropped as litter, it lasts a long time. The benefit depends on disposal.
Read Is compostable cling film compostable? For breakdown times, home versus industrial composting, and the common myths.
How to dispose of compostable cling film in the UK
Work through these in order and stop at the first that applies to you:
- You have a home compost bin and your film carries OK compost HOME. Tear the used film into strips and mix it into your compost. Allow up to a year.
- Your council accepts certified compostable packaging in food waste. Put it in your caddy. Many councils do not accept it, because their food waste goes to plants that screen out packaging. Check your council’s website.
- Neither applies. Put it in general waste.
Never put compostable film in plastic recycling. It contaminates the recycling stream.
If option 3 applies to you, compostable film gives you little benefit over standard cling film. The alternatives section below offers better choices.
What does it cost?
Compostable cling film costs several times more per metre than supermarket own-brand film. Our 30 m roll costs £3.99, which works out at about 13p per metre.
For a full comparison of price, stretch, cling and end of life, read compostable cling film vs supermarket plastic wrap.
Is compostable cling film worth buying?
It is worth buying if:
- You have a home compost bin, and you choose a film certified OK compost HOME.
- Your council accepts certified compostable packaging in food waste.
- You use cling film mainly for lunches and short-term fridge storage.
It is not worth buying if:
- Your used film will end up in general waste.
- You need it for jobs the box does not list, such as long-term freezing.
- You use large amounts every day, and price matters more to you than disposal.
Alternatives that create less waste
The lowest-waste wrap is no wrap at all.
- Containers with lids: glass or steel boxes for leftovers and batch cooking.
- Silicone stretch lids: reusable covers that fit bowls of different sizes.
- Beeswax wraps: good for bread, cheese and covering bowls. Do not use them for raw meat.
- A plate over a bowl: free, and it works in the fridge.
Most households end up with a mix: containers for leftovers, and compostable film for the jobs only a film can do.
Our compostable cling film
| Detail | Our film |
|---|---|
| Size | 30 cm × 30 m roll with cutter |
| Material | PBAT + PLA |
| Certificates | EN 13432 | OK Compost Home |
| Home compostable | Yes |
| Freezer | Yes |
| Microwave | Yes |
| Price | £3.99, free UK delivery on orders over £25 |
Guides in this series
- Is compostable cling film compostable? How it breaks down, what the standards test, and the myths.
- Using cling film in the fridge, freezer and microwave: temperature limits and step-by-step use.
- Compostable cling film vs supermarket plastic wrap: price, stretch, cling, and end of life compared.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a plastic made from compostable polymers. It breaks down in composting conditions, where standard cling film does not.
No. “Biodegradable” has no time limit or test behind it. “Compostable” means the film passed a standard such as EN 13432. Treat “biodegradable” with no certificate as a marketing claim.
Only if your council says it accepts certified compostable packaging. Many councils do not. Check their website.
About 12 weeks at an industrial composting site. Up to 12 months in a home compost bin, if the film carries OK compost HOME. Cold winters slow it down.
It depends on the product. Follow the instructions on the box. Our fridge, freezer and microwave guide explains how to check.
