Our Seedling Certification: The First Compostable Towels

Summary

We are excited to announce that on 12th of June 2020, Scrummi became the first and only brand of disposable salon and spa towels to achieve EN13432 composability certifications from TÜV Austria.

The certification, also widely known as Seedling, confirms that under optimal conditions, Scrummi Waffle products will biodegrade completely within 100 days.

Our certificate is available to download here

Why we’ve done it

There are a lot of other towels out there claiming to be biodegradable and sustainable, with no proof to back up these claims. We can now give you and your clients that peace of mind.

At Scrummi we believe that when it comes to claims about sustainability, it’s not just good enough to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk. More and more brands and suppliers to the Hair and Beauty market are making claims which don’t stack up. We recognise that customers who switch from traditional laundered towels to disposable do so, in part, because of the reassurance of the product being a biodegradable, sustainable option.

We felt it important to have 3rd party verification and certification.

Additionally, this certification now answers questions raised by waste collection companies across Europe about the correct way to handle used Scrummi products.

What is EN13432 / Seedling?

Packaging or products featuring the Seedling label are guaranteed as biodegradable in an industrial composting plant. This applies to all components, inks and additives. The sole reference point for the certification programme is the harmonised EN 13432: 2000 standard: in any event any product featuring the Seedling logo complies with the requirements of the EU Packaging Directive (94/62/EEC).

TÜV AUSTRIA (formerly Vinçotte) is a certification body authorised by European Bioplastics and may therefore award the Seedling logo to products that are in compliance with EN 13432. By awarding both the OK Compost and the Seedling logo, TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium certificate holders have a way to give their compostable products recognition throughout the entire European market.

Further information from TUV Austria can be found here

What about Home Composting?

As a commercial product, we do not make any recommendations about Scrummi for composting in a domestic environment.

Owing to the comparatively smaller volume of waste involved, the temperature in a garden compost heap is clearly lower and less constant than in an industrial composting environment. This is why composting in the garden is a more difficult, slower-paced process.

Disposal Methods

Biodegradable / compostable / organic waste collection

Not suitable for heavily contaminated towels, ok for clean towels and towels contaminated with organic compounds.

Step 1: Place all used Scrummi towels in a paper or biodegradable waste bag which confirms to EN13432 or carries the Seedling or OK Compost Mark.

Step 2: Place the bag of towels in your compostable waste container along with your other organic and biodegradable waste.

Do not use plastic or non-biodegradable refuse bags as this will prevent the towels from breaking down and contaminate the waste stream.

General waste for incineration or landfill disposal

Scrummi towels are safe for landfill disposal as they biodegrade in 100 days under Anaerobic conditions. Scrummi Waffle Products are safe for incineration. Due to their cellulosic composition, 99% of energy can be recovered.

Step 1: Place all used Scrummi towels in a paper or biodegradable waste bag which confirms to EN13432 or carries the Seedling or OK Compost Mark.

Step 2: Place the bag of towels in your waste container alongside your regular, unsorted waste. Do not use plastic or non-biodegradable rubbish bags as this will prevent the towels from breaking down in landfill conditions.