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Achieving industrial compostability certification is a major milestone for Phoam Labs—one that our team is incredibly proud of. From the start, our mission was clear: to reduce waste and plastic pollution in the floral industry. What began as an effort to replace phenolic floral foam soon expanded into a broader commitment—an earth-to-earth approach that not only ensures Phoam has a responsible end-of-life but also helps divert more green waste from landfills to composting facilities.

One of the key reasons we prioritised industrial compostability over home composting was practicality. For most florists, especially those in cities, home composting business waste simply isn’t an option. This means that traditional floral foam often ends up in landfill, where it poses serious environmental risks. As a non-biodegradable plastic, it gradually breaks down into microplastics, contaminating soil, water, and ecosystems. These particles enter the food chain, potentially harming wildlife and human health. Additionally, phenolic foam contains formaldehyde, a chemical that can leach into the surrounding environment, contributing to toxic waste accumulation.

The floristry industry is changing, with a growing movement toward sustainable alternatives. While progress is being made, floral waste and the reliance on traditional foam products remain a major challenge. Phoam represents a step in the right direction—one that supports florists and a more sustainable future for floral design.

‍The Benefits of Industrial Composting

Industrial composting facilities provide a practical, large-scale solution to organic waste management. These facilities efficiently transform waste into nutrient-rich compost, reducing landfill waste, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting a circular economy by returning valuable nutrients to the soil. Composting initiatives are also gaining momentum in the UK, with organisations like Com:post working to divert floral waste away from landfill and integrate composting into everyday floristry. These efforts are part of a bigger shift towards a more sustainable, less waste future.

‍The Rigorous Certification Process

Phoam Labs' CEO, Dundee Butcher, highlights the significance of industrial composting certification, calling the process “laborious, difficult, rigorous, long, and expensive—but as it should be.” Certification guarantees that a product truly composts under industrial conditions, meeting strict biodegradation standards.

"There is a movement against traditional phenolic foam, and it's getting louder and louder—not just through legislation, but people choosing to phase it out," she explains. With sustainability at the forefront, Phoam Labs is providing florists with a viable, alternative, ensuring that the industry has more choice when it comes to responsible floral design.

While Phoam is not designed for landfill disposal, the environmental risks are significantly lower compared to traditional phenolic foam. Phoam will still degrade over time, albeit at a much slower rate than in an industrial composting facility. Factors like moisture, temperature, and microbial activity will influence the breakdown process, meaning that while Phoam is best suited for composting, it remains a far more sustainable option than conventional floral foam, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

To achieve Tüv Industrial certification, a product must pass three key tests:

Decomposition Test (Biodegradability Assessment)

Phillip Schultz, Phoam Labs' Manufacturing and R&D Engineer, explains that this test measures how efficiently a material breaks down in composting conditions. “A sample of the product is placed in a controlled composting environment, and we measure the amount of CO₂ it releases. This tells us how much of the material is actually breaking down into its fundamental elements, like carbon dioxide and water.”

To pass, a product must achieve at least 90% decomposition in six months. Phoam exceeded expectations, “hitting 90% biodegradation in just 17 days and completely breaking down in 25 days.”

Disintegration Test

Phillip describes this test as an evaluation of how quickly and completely the product breaks down. “In this test, the product is placed into a large compost pile for 12 weeks, with regular inspections to check for any remaining pieces.”

Most products take the full test period to disintegrate, but Phoam’s results were remarkable. “In a recent test, they couldn’t find a single visible piece of our product after just one week,” Phillip shares. “That level of disintegration is incredibly fast, and it highlights how well our material integrates into the composting process.”

Ecotoxicity Test (Plant Growth Test)

The final stage ensures that the resulting compost is safe for plant life. “Once the composting process is complete, the compost is used to grow plants,” Schultz explains. “This test checks for toxins, heavy metals, or any substances that could interfere with plant growth.”

Phoam passed the test with no adverse effects, meaning that not only does it fully decompose, but it also supports healthy soil and plant life—a key factor in circular sustainability.

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The Power of Composting Over Landfill

Composting is more than just an alternative to landfill—it’s a transformative solution that reduces waste, enriches soil, and helps combat climate change. As more florists, businesses, and individuals embrace composting, we can collectively reduce our environmental footprint and shift towards a truly circular economy.

We can all contribute with our own sustainability efforts. Discover more about Com:Post who are helping the floristry industry turn its green waste into nutrient compost. Learn more about our approach to sustainability

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