Top: Illustration of the mesh bag field testing method, courtesy of Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy.
A new phase of the Compostable Field Testing Program (CFTP) — an initiative started by the Compost Research Education Foundation and BSIbio — is underway, thanks to an initial $68,000 funding commitment from the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and Eco-Products. This significant investment underscores a growing industry-wide effort to bridge the critical gap between theoretical lab-based compostability certifications and the practical, often more challenging, conditions found at real-world composting facilities. The CFTP aims to provide valuable, data-driven insights that benefit the entire composting and packaging sectors.
Since its inception in 2016, the CFTP has been a pioneer in collecting empirical data on the disintegration of certified compostable foodware and packaging. The CFTP is the only open-source database and program dedicated to this research, and its findings have been instrumental in establishing a more transparent and effective framework for the industry. The renewed funding, primarily from longtime supporters BPI and Eco-Products, signals strong confidence in the program’s methodology and its capacity to deliver impactful research. Their contributions are seen as a vote of confidence in the program’s data-driven approach and its vital role at the intersection of composting and compostable packaging innovation.
The CFTP’s commitment to transparency and collaboration has been a cornerstone of its success, culminating in the donation of its mesh bag and dose test methods to ASTM International. This collaboration led to the publication of the new ASTM D8618 and ASTM D8619 standards, which provide a foundational framework for standardized field testing. In its next phase of research, the CFTP plans to expand its testing to new geographical regions, incorporate a wider range of product types, and continue to refine its testing methods.
The ongoing work of the CFTP is vital for both product manufacturers and composters. For manufacturers, the data helps them understand how their products perform outside of a controlled lab setting. For composters, it provides valuable insights into the types of compostable materials they can confidently accept and process. The CFTP’s mission is rooted in collaboration, and it is actively seeking additional contributions to further its research.
