Certifications

ASTM

For us, the minimum is ASTM standards for compostability: ASTM D6400 for bioplastic and ASTM D6868 for fiber-based items (with or without bioplastic).

The only exception to our ASTM requirement are items that are considered “generally accepted as compostable.” This would be our wooden stir sticks and napkins – natural fiber items that most composters accept without question.

BPI

For items that are designed to meet BPI’s requirements for compostability, we are committed to earning BPI certification. This includes all of our cold, paper, and soup cups; PLA and fiber lids; PLA cutlery; liners; coffee sleeves; and Vanguard™ molded fiber.

Our standard, non-Vanguard molded-fiber products use FDA-approved compounds to achieve grease resistance that do not meet BPI requirements. Therefore, these molded fiber items are not BPI-certified compostable. However, they do meet ASTM standards, so we still consider them to be compostable.

CMA

We submit all of our BPI-certified items to the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) for field testing.

The CMA is a nationwide partnership of compost manufacturing facilities providing field disintegration testing for foodservice products across the country. CMA’s mission is to make compost manufacturing more sustainable by working proactively to field-test compostable products in real-world compost processing technologies. We were one of the first supporters of CMA as we see value in having composters test and confirm that our products break down successfully at their facilities. This is a valuable complement to the lab-based BPI certification, which we have long used as third-party validation of compostability.

USDA Biopreferred

The goal of the BioPreferred Program is to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. The Program's purpose is to spur economic development, create new jobs and provide new markets for farm commodities. The increased development, purchase, and use of biobased products reduces our nation's reliance on petroleum, increases the use of renewable agricultural resources, and contributes to reducing adverse environmental and health impacts.

FSC®

The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is a global, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide. FSC defines standards based on agreed principles for responsible forest stewardship that are supported by environmental, social, and economic stakeholders.