Biohajoaviksi

Biohajoaviksi is a Finnish term meaning biodegradable, describing materials that can be broken down by biological processes, primarily by microorganisms, into simpler natural substances such as carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. The rate and extent of biodegradation depend on environmental conditions, including temperature, moisture, microbial activity, and the chemical composition of the material. Because conditions vary, a product described as biodegradable may not biodegrade effectively in all environments, such as landfills or oceans, or in household compost heaps.

In practice, biodegradability is closely related to compostability, but not all biodegradable materials are compostable. Compostable materials meet defined criteria under specified composting conditions and timeframes, leaving no toxic residues and contributing to a stable end product.

In the European context standards such as EN 13432 (packaging) and EN 14995 (biodegradable plastics) describe test methods and criteria for compostability and biodegradability. Certification marks like OK compost INDUSTRIAL or OK compost HOME indicate compliance with industrial or home composting standards.

Common examples include paper, wood, and natural fibers, as well as certain bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). However, many biodegradable plastics require industrial composting facilities and may not degrade rapidly in the natural environment or in landfills.

In Finnish policy and consumer labeling, biohajoaviksi is used to describe products meant to decompose by biological processes under suitable conditions, with guidance on proper disposal to ensure decomposition occurs. Environmental considerations include avoiding microplastic formation, ensuring safe end products, and avoiding misrepresentations in labeling.