May 2, 2022
This International Compost Awareness Week, get tools for understanding compostable packaging and composting
International Compost Awareness Week this year is May 1-7, and its theme is “Recipe for Regeneration: Compost!” As more companies begin to set goals to participate in regenerative agriculture or sourcing practices, many new faces are joining the decades-old composting conversation. That’s because finished compost is a well-known tool for regenerating soils, and compostable packaging plays an integral role in making sure more food scraps are turned into compost, instead of landfilled. Compost is a mixture of ingredients used to help fertilize and improve the soil, and can be made from food scraps, yard waste, plant trimmings, and certified compostable packaging.
With new faces and new ambitions around the table, now is a great time to get back to the basics, establishing the “what” and the “why” of composting and compostable packaging. This year, the SPC is developing a series of “Compostables 101” infographics that define and illustrate the key concepts of this space. These graphics provide a snapshot for new companies to quickly get up to speed, and brands with established portfolios or commitments to share foundational information with customers, supply chain partners, and stakeholders such as municipalities and institutions.
These graphics were developed with the feedback and support of the Compostable Packaging Collaborative, a group of SPC member companies who work to catalyze the growth of compostable packaging.
Check out the first three infographics below:
Biodegradable vs. Compostable
If you’re using the words “biodegradable” and “compostable” interchangeably, take a look at our Definitions infographic, which outlines the key differences between the two terms.
Types of Composting
How does home composting differ from commercial (aka industrial) composting? And where does community composting fit into the equation? Learn more about how the scale of a composting operation can have important advantages and limitations in the Types of Composting infographic:
Want to learn more about the availability of composting programs? Two GreenBlue resources can help – the Composting Facilities maps, which show where composting facilities are located and what material they accept, and the Composting Access maps, which show which US cities have composting collection programs, including both curbside and drop-off.
Fit for Compostable Packaging
Compostable packaging is not a good fit for all types of packaging, in part because it will not qualify for BPI certification if it does not help to divert food scraps or yard waste. Learn more in the SPC’s guide, Understanding the Role of Compostable Packaging. The latest guidance on when compostable packaging makes the most sense is offered in the new Fit for Compostable Packaging graphic:
These infographics can be found on the Compostable Packaging Collaborative’s resources page, and new companies that are interested in joining can reach out to Olga Kachook at olga.kachook@greenblue.org.
