US Plastics Pact urges harmonized policy to scale compostable packaging
Key takeaways
- Expanding compostable infrastructure can reduce food-contaminated waste and support a circular economy, says a new USPP report.
- Harmonized policy, labeling standards, and investment are key to scaling compostable packaging.
- Successful adoption relies on robust collection systems, certification, and regional food waste mandates.
A recent US Plastics Pact (USPP) report has argued that expanding access to compostable infrastructure and packaging systems can help reduce food waste and complement the circular economy.
The report, Enabling Composting at Scale, outlines policy frameworks and investment opportunities for stakeholders to increase the longevity of compostable materials in the US.
Packaging Insights sits down with Megan O'Brien, program manager for Policy and Reporting at USPP, to discuss the implications of the report in an industry increasingly looking to mitigate food waste and find scalable alternatives to single-use plastics.
“Food waste is often generated alongside packaging, making separation from conventional plastics difficult — especially in settings like foodservice, takeout, and large events,” says O’Brien.
“Compostable packaging can help capture heavily food-contaminated materials that are not suitable for recycling by allowing food and packaging to be collected together.”
As a result, food-contaminated packaging items are diverted away from recycling streams. The report stresses that expanding access to composting infrastructure is “essential,” but it requires sustained investment, supportive policy, and designing for compostability from the beginning.
Integrating compostable policy
The report argues that policies such as food waste diversion mandates, funding systems, and procurement standards can accelerate industry and consumer acceptance of compostable packaging.
However, for all the potential that compostable packaging can offer the circular economy, fragmented policies and a lack of harmonized standards hinder its widespread adoption, adds O’Brien.
“That makes it harder to invest in and scale composting systems nationwide.”
Additionally, she explains that compostable packaging is not yet “consistently” recognized within many policy frameworks, including some EPR systems.
O’Brien stresses a knock-on effect, which limits support for infrastructure, consumer education, and compostable packaging acceptance.
The report urges policymakers to recognize compostables as a circular packaging solution, alongside recyclable and reusable options.
Consumer awareness
Alongside the push for policy adoption and harmonized compostable standards is the need for a consistent labeling framework, stresses the report.
“Clear labeling is critical to reducing contamination and consumer confusion,” notes O’Brien, highlighting the importance of identifying the difference in disposal pathways for compostable solutions and conventional plastics.
“This USPP report calls for national labeling standards that include clear compostable designations, third-party certification logos, standardized terminology, and penalties for misleading claims.”
O’Brien adds that labeling compostable packaging correctly could foster consumer awareness and education about the materials.
Compostable adoption
US adoption of compostables is marked by a variety of attitudes toward the material.
Recently, Sway, a company that develops seaweed-based compostable packaging, designated the Biodegradable Products Institute as a recipient of its 1% for the Planet initiative, which means it will donate 1% of the company’s annual sales to the organization.
Meanwhile, an advisory board of the US Department of Agriculture voted against adding synthetic compostable materials, such as those from biodegradable packaging, to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances due to potential PFAS and microplastics contamination.
For O’Brien, the root of success for compostable packaging adoption is in expanded infrastructure and investment.
“Robust collection systems, paired with clear acceptance criteria and recognized certification standards, help improve organics recovery, compost quality, and packaging circularity.”
Moreover, she points to how food waste diversion mandates and landfill restrictions in Vermont, California, and Massachusetts have increased composting capacity and food-scrap collection, “helping create the conditions for compostable packaging to scale responsibly.”
