Part 7/9:
Given the potential for greenwashing—misleading marketing that exaggerates a product's eco-friendliness—it's essential to look for credible certifications. In the United States and Canada, labels like USDA Biobased and Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) indicate a product’s compostability. In the EU, certifications are provided by agencies like TUV Austria or Din Certco, although these are not legally binding. It remains largely the consumer's responsibility to verify what materials are composed of to ensure they are compostable or biodegradable.