Top: The grant program aims to increase diversion of food scraps. Photo by Nora Goldstein

The Composting Consortium, managed by Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy (CCE), launched a grant program in early May to help U.S. composters and municipalities expand their ability to process certified compostable packaging and food scraps. “Funding can be used by composters and municipalities in various ways, such as offsetting the costs of installing new equipment to address contamination from conventional plastics, conducting trials for the inclusion of compostable packaging, or updating signage, stickers and other marketing and outreach materials that clearly communicate the acceptance of certified compostable packaging to help improve participation and reduce contamination,” explains Paula Luu, Senior Project Director at Closed Loop Partners’ CCE and Composting Consortium lead. “Composters, communities and nonprofits in the U.S. who are working on projects to increase food-contact compostable packaging recovery are eligible to apply for a grant. The grant program builds on the Composting Consortium’s ongoing work to strengthen composting infrastructure, validate best practices for processing compostable packaging, and advance policies that support the industry.”

The Composting Consortium’s grant program is a collaboration with the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and the US Composting Council (USCC). The grant application period is open, with a submission deadline of June 13, 2025. The maximum amount per grant is $50,000; 50% of the grant will be awarded up front, and 50% will be awarded upon project completion, with some exceptions. Preference will be given to projects that can begin before October 1, 2025. The review committee, including leadership from CCE, BPI and USCC, will score applications using the grant program’s selection criteria. All funded projects must be completed by March 1, 2026.

Examples of eligible applicants include:

• Companies and organizations who are willing to collaborate and share project details and results with the Composting Consortium and in public communications
• Composters who accept food scraps and yard trimmings, but do not currently accept certified, food-contact compostable packaging
• Composters who currently accept limited forms of compostable packaging (e.g., only paper/fiber or only food scrap bags) but wish to expand the materials they accept to other types of certified food-contact compostables
• Communities (towns, cities, counties, etc.) who wish to establish or expand food scraps pilot programs (drop-off or curbside) that include food-contact, certified compostable packaging
• Nonprofit organizations directly involved in establishing or expanding composting and food scraps collection that includes food-contact, certified compostable packaging