Case Study
Developing data-driven composting policies

A toolkit to help decision-makers get ready for Extended Producer Responsibility laws

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The Challenge

Food waste accounts for nearly a quarter of all U.S. landfill waste and is responsible for 58% of unintentional methane emissions, making its reduction a key pathway to achieving local and state climate and zero waste goals. Compostable packaging has a critical role to play in reducing food waste by capturing food scraps and diverting them from landfill. But composting access across the nation is highly variable and acceptance of compostable packaging at composting facilities is mixed. In the race to meet waste reduction goals, many policymakers need guidance to create harmonized policies—and businesses need help responding to the shifting regulatory landscape.

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58%

of unintentional methane emissions come from food waste sent to landfills in the U.S.

4x

faster growth rate of compostable packaging compared to traditional packaging

+49%

increase in access of U.S. households to food waste collection since 2021

8%

growth in composting infrastructure between 2018-2023, highlighting a need for investment

The Solution

In response to these needs, the Composting Consortium developed a toolkit to guide brands, regulators and policymakers focused on three key policy areas: designing product labeling laws, strengthening compost end markets, and analyzing composting infrastructure in preparation for EPR. The Toolkit provides insights and guidance on how standardized labeling laws can improve consumer behavior, how to optimize Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs for composting, and how to strengthen compost end markets. To guide better labeling laws, we drew upon our groundbreaking 2022 study with BPI, one of the largest ever analyses of what U.S. consumers notice, understand and do with composable packaging.

Our team’s work has kept compostable packaging and composting infrastructure top of mind during EPR needs assessments—establishing recommendations that ensures these materials remain viable despite lower volumes compared to recyclables. To promote the purchase and use of compost to enhance soil health, we analyzed the impacts of various U.S. policies to boost compost production and its procurement.

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To promote the purchase and use of compost to enhance soil health, we analyzed the impacts of various U.S. policies to boost compost production and its procurement.

Impact

We delivered the findings in an easy-to-use Toolkit that distills the key facts and opportunities for decision-makers seeking to address questions on organics recovery and compostable packaging. The toolkit has been used by our partners while providing public testimony during legislative hearings, including by Eco-Cycle in Colorado, where it helped shape stakeholder discussions around labeling policy that ultimately passed. We’ve engaged directly with Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) and state regulators to shape how composting infrastructure and compostable packaging are considered in EPR program design—advancing thought leadership that spotlights the role of these materials in a successful circular economy system.

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Our Role

Research

  • Consumer perception survey
  • Policy analysis
  • Subject matter expert interviews
  • Comparative analysis of existing reports

Design

  • Definition of policy best practices
  • Toolkit design, development and launch

Build

Download and read the Policy Brief

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Related Content

Insights
Understanding how compostable packaging breaks down

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We are  part of Closed Loop Partners—which includes the largest privately held recycling company in the U.S. and one of the largest circular economy capital management groups in the world—we’re uniquely positioned to bring research, design, and real-world implementation together.