Each year, approximately one-third of the food produced worldwide ends up in landfills. This enormous loss not only represents an environmental challenge but also a devastating economic impact, estimated at $230 billion. Aware of the urgency of this crisis, state and local governments in the United States are implementing policies to collect organic waste, with the goal of diverting food waste from landfills.
This push to reduce waste has had a positive side effect: the expansion of the composting industry. As a result, around 70% of facilities that process food waste now accept some forms of compostable packaging. These packages, designed to break down under proper composting conditions, offer an innovative solution to the waste problem.
However, a key challenge exists: the lack of public information on how well these certified food-contact compostable packages break down in real-world composting facilities. What conditions are necessary for the packaging to disintegrate effectively? How well do they perform in practice?
A recent report fills this information gap, providing valuable data to support the transition towards broader use of compostable packaging. This study, led by the Composting Consortium, analyzed the disintegration of more than 23,000 units of compostable packaging in the largest field test of its kind conducted in North America.
The report's findings replace anecdotes with precise data, offering detailed information on the reality of compostable packaging breakdown and identifying the optimal conditions that support compostability. This not only helps composters improve their practices but also ensures that the growth of compostable packaging is done responsibly and effectively.
The success of this study was made possible through the collaboration of various facilities, including: Ag Choice, Atlas Organics, Black Earth Compost, The Foodbank, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio, Happy Trash Can Curbside Composting, Napa Recycling, Specialized Environmental Technologies, Inc.'s Empire Facility, Veteran Compost, and Windham Solid Waste Management.
Additionally, the data collected will be donated to the Compostable Field Testing Program, an international nonprofit research platform that seeks to correlate composting conditions with the breakdown of common compostable products and packaging. This information will also support the development of the first ASTM field test standard for compostable packaging, helping improve composting infrastructure and practices globally.
The report is the result of a collaboration between Closed Loop Partners and key organizations in the composting industry, such as the United States Composting Council (USCC), the Compost Research and Education Foundation (CREF), and the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), alongside partners from various sustainability-focused brands.
In conclusion, food waste is an urgent problem, but with innovative solutions like compostable packaging, we can reduce its environmental impact. As the composting industry evolves, cross-sector collaboration is essential to ensure these solutions work in the real world and contribute to a more sustainable future. This report is a key step in that direction.
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