Why Third-Party Compostability Certification Matters
Sustainability is becoming a major issue for retailers and consumers alike, with compostability playing an important role in packaging plans. However, experts say compostable products need to be done right, and include proper certification from a third-party source.
Store Brands recently hosted its webinar “Certification: From Compostability to Recycling; What you Need to Know,” which aimed to inform retailers on compostable certification and why it matters for private label products.
The event was hosted by Executive Editor and Associate Publisher Greg Sleter, and featured presentations from Susan Thoman, Managing Director of the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA), and Arlene Blum, Executive Director of the Green Science Policy Institute and Research Associate in Cell and Molecular Biology and UC Berkeley.
Blum kicked off the webinar with a presentation on PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, that are used in food packaging.
“There are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market today, and the amount of chemicals and chemical production is increasing,” said Blum. “PFAS are used in folding cartons, liner boards, multi-wall bags, flexible packaging and support cards. PFAS can migrate into the food. There are studies showing that PFAS end up in fruits and vegetables from the soil, so compostability standards have been changing so that food packaging containing PFAS are no longer compostable."
Thoman, whose group is one of the major third-party certifiers for compostable material, spoke about how CMA helps retailers create cleaner, compostable packaging for products, including for own brand products.
“In the grocery/retail space, you have customers looking for compostable alternatives, and it’s very important that those alternatives are PFAS-free and that they actually break down well in composting facilities,” she said. “Our program is about creating a space where retailers and manufacturers can come together and co-create compostables, and a big part of that is making sure we don’t get chemicals into our systems.”
The full webinar can be viewed on-demand here.