My understanding is that in order to get certification, the materials must be degradable under certain conditions in a certain time frame. They may very well break down in a cold system but it may take longer.

That sounds reasonable. Thank you, Lloyd!

Whether materails labeled as "compostable" really are depends. Theoretically, to be certified by some the material must be digestible in 180 days and it has little to do with hot composting. Just as not everything that is labeled as eco friendly is not everything labeled as compostable is. Just as, unfortunately, not everything labeled as organic is not everything labeled as eco friendly is. Perhaps this article will help clear things up.

http://www.opb.org/news/blog/ecotrope/is-compostable-stuff-really-compostable/

kimmq is kimmsr

'Commas' would help clear things up.

"completable"

I hate the auto-spell check/correct thingy too!

edited to add: Not sure why you deleted your comment..it was humourous.

Composting facilities generally run hot compost piles and some compostable products like paper and 'plastic'-like films will decompose in a hot pile but maybe not so much in a colder residential pile.