Compostable packaging is designed to break down under specific conditions. Recyclable packaging is designed to enter a recycling stream after use and be reused as raw material.

In practice, recyclable is currently the better solution for many food packagings. Recyclable mono-materials like PE or PP offer better barrier properties, are more widely available, and fit better into existing European waste systems. Compostable packaging can be useful but is not automatically more sustainable if it cannot be processed correctly or does not protect the product well enough.