Whether you're running a café, hotel, food truck, film set, stadium, wedding, farmer's market, or even a family reunion, composting can be second nature. It doesn't have to be complicated, expensive, or confusing. It just takes the right products and a little planning.
Here's how to make sure your disposables are both effective and environmentally responsible.
1. Choose Certified Compostable Products
Not all "compostable" products are created equal, and certification is what separates marketing claims from products that actually break down in real-world conditions.
Two certifications in North America matter most:
BPI Certified (Biodegradable Products Institute):
BPI lab-tests products to confirm they meet North American compostability standards, and critically, don't contain intentionally added PFAS, the "forever chemicals" that persist in the environment. Verifications label will state whether the product is compostable in commercial facilities or in your own backyard.
CMA Approval (Compost Manufacturing Alliance):
CMA rigorously field-tests compostable products under real-world industrial composting conditions. It reviews lab results for ASTM D6400/D6868 compliance and tests for total fluorine to pre-screen for PFAS. Because of its field disintegration testing, many North American composters specifically look for CMA certification.
Products carrying both BPI and CMA certification have been vetted in the lab and in the field giving you the strongest assurance they'll perform in industrial composting systems. TÜV AUSTRIA certification is also widely accepted across North America; note that TÜV Home Compostable or BPI Home Compostable certification requires more hands-on management (monitoring your pile, balancing carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, and maintaining proper temperature).
Learn more about the evolution of compostable products here.
2. Source Smart
Look for certified compostable bags, liners, and food service products that carry CMA and BPI certification, these are widely available through major suppliers, making it easy to stock up for your event or ongoing operations.
We have a handy Certification Guide with more helpful tips on our Resources page.
3. Verify Local Composting Infrastructure
Here's the catch: compostable products only work if they actually get composted. Before you invest, check that your area has composting infrastructure that accepts them.
Useful resources include:
• The CMA Partner Facility Map, to find compost facilities that accept CMA-approved products
• The U.S. Composting Facility Locator, to view composting infrastructure across the country
4. No Composting System Nearby? Help Build One.
If your region doesn't yet have an approved composting system, you can help change that. Check out the US Composting Council's Compost Action Center to get involved (it only takes a few minutes). Reach out to your waste hauler, municipal waste department, or local sustainability office to start the conversation about launching or expanding organics collection.
Why This Matters for Your Business
Institutions of every size are under growing pressure to reduce waste, cut costs, and improve sustainability.
Getting organics collection right helps you:
- Comply with EPR and waste diversion laws: avoiding penalties and meeting climate goals
- Improve operational efficiency: less mess, less contamination, easier staff training
- Boost brand reputation: guests and customers increasingly expect sustainability
- Save money: as landfill fees rise, composting becomes the more cost-effective choice
Composting is more than a waste stream decision. Done right, it's an operational upgrade, a compliance strategy, and a climate solution...all built into a bag.
Need help getting started? Our team of experts can help you launch or expand a compost collection program tailored to your operation.