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Paper towel biodegradability is the ability of microorganisms to break down cellulose fibres into water, carbon dioxide and biomass. The process takes between two and five weeks under favourable moisture and temperature conditions. Most professional paper towels are biodegradable because manufacturers produce them from natural cellulose fibres.
iso.org provides the official definition and methodology for testing biodegradability under controlled conditions.
Read how biodegradable professional paper towels help your commercial facility operate seamlessly on our blog: Paper towels in commercial facilities: Everything you need to know about types, savings and hygiene.
How does paper towel biodegradability occur?
Paper towel biodegradability occurs when bacteria and fungi use enzymes to break down the cellulose fibres in paper towels into water, carbon dioxide and biomass. During this process, microorganisms use cellulose as a source of food and energy.
The rate of decomposition depends on:
- moisture
- temperature
- the presence of oxygen
Waterproof and other protective coatings can slow down the decomposition of paper towels because the additional layers hinder the activity of microorganisms.
What is paper towel compostability?
Paper towel compostability is the proven ability of a material to decompose completely in compost without leaving harmful residues. A paper towel must pass a test such as ISO 14855 and reach 90% decomposition within 180 days under controlled conditions. The process must produce a safe result that can serve as fertiliser, rather than merely decomposed material.
Is compostability the same as paper towel biodegradability?
Compostability is not the same as paper towel biodegradability. A biodegradable paper towel decomposes over time, but there is no proof that the process occurs quickly or leaves no harmful residues. A compostable paper towel proves this same decomposition through testing and guarantees a safe result. The difference is simple – compostability is proven biodegradability.
Table: Paper towel biodegradability
| Material | Biodegradability |
| 100% cellulose | ✔ Yes |
| Recycled paper | ✔ Yes |
| Bamboo | ✔ Yes |
| Paper with plastic coatings | ✖ More slowly or not at all |
What remains after paper towel biodegradability and composting?
After paper towel biodegradability occurs in nature, water, carbon dioxide and microbial biomass remain, but there is no guarantee that the process has completely neutralised any additives. Composting leaves mature compost that resembles fertile soil, has undergone toxicity testing and is ready for use as fertiliser. The difference is that testing verifies one result but not the other.
Table: Biodegradability vs paper towel compostability
| Biodegradability | Compostability | |
| Definition | Decomposition through the activity of microorganisms | Proven and tested biodegradation |
| Standard | Not specified | ISO 14855 |
| Time frame | Not defined | 180 days |
| Degree of decomposition | Not guaranteed | Minimum 90% |
| Final result | Water, CO2, biomass – no guarantee regarding additives | Mature compost, tested for toxicity |
| Paper towel without additives | Yes | Yes |
| Paper towel with a coating | Partially, more slowly | No |
Practical experience: Hotel with a restaurant and conference halls in Subotica
- Problem: A hotel with a restaurant and conference halls in Subotica served many guests and attendees of conferences and business events every day. As part of its sustainable business strategy, it wanted to use paper products with a lower environmental impact. However, its existing paper towels lacked clearly stated information about biodegradability and the appropriate documentation.
- Solution: The hotel introduced professional paper towels made from 100% cellulose and suitable Large paper towel dispensers with clearly stated properties in the restaurant, conference halls and communal areas. The hotel organised separate paper waste collection in accordance with its internal procedures. At the same time, it trained employees to handle and dispose of used paper towels correctly.
- Result: The hotel improved its paper waste management and monitored its internal sustainability goals more easily. The use of biodegradable paper towels became part of its daily operations. The facility received clear documentation about the products’ environmental characteristics, which it could include in its internal reports and communication with business partners.
Paper towel biodegradability – FAQ
How quickly does a paper towel decompose in nature?
Under favourable moisture and temperature conditions, decomposition takes between two and five weeks. The process may take longer in dry or cold conditions.
What speeds up the decomposition of paper towels in compost?
Tearing the material into smaller pieces, maintaining sufficient moisture and regularly mixing the compost accelerate microorganism activity and shorten the decomposition time.
Are paper towels made from 100% cellulose always biodegradable?
Yes, but the label “100% cellulose” does not exclude additives such as wet-strength resins, which make paper towels more resistant to moisture. These additives slow down decomposition even though the fibres remain pure cellulose. To gain a complete picture, you should check for such additives rather than examining only the fibre composition.
Does a certificate guarantee that a paper towel is compostable?
It provides a guarantee only if it references a specific standard such as ISO 14855 or EN 13432. The label “biodegradable” or “eco” without reference to a standard is an unsubstantiated marketing claim. A valid certificate always identifies the test and the institution that issued it.
Why is it important for commercial facilities to use biodegradable paper towels?
Using biodegradable paper towels is important for commercial facilities because they reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and enable composting with organic kitchen waste. An increasing number of corporate clients require proof of environmental characteristics as a condition of cooperation. A supplier that supports this claim with a standard gives the commercial facility an argument it can use publicly.
Sustainability depends not only on major decisions but also on the products people use every day. When paper towels are biodegradable, properly selected and suited to the facility’s needs, they become part of a system that supports hygiene, efficiency and more responsible resource management. The next step could be selecting a solution tailored to your commercial facility.
About the author:
Milja Tonić – SEO Content Strategist & Copywriter
Milja Tonić is an SEO Content Strategist and Copywriter at LUU.rs who specialises in creating expert content about professional hygiene, paper products, dispensers and facility management.
The expert articles on this blog result from detailed research, an analytical approach and professional editorial work, with the application of current SEO standards and best practices for Google Search and AI search (SGE/AI Overview).
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