BPI Logo Program — FAQ

Who is the BPI and who are its members?
The BPI is short for Biodegradable Products Institute. It is a multi-stakeholder association of key individuals and groups from government, industry and academia, which promotes the use, and recovery of biodegradable polymeric materials. BPI will accomplish this goal through education, adoption of scientifically based standards and cooperative activities with other organizations in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan.

Its members include leading resin suppliers (such as BASF, Cargill Dow Polymers, DuPont and Novamont); biodegradable product manufacturers and distributors (such asBioBag Canada, BioGroup US, BIOTA Spring Water, BioSphere Industries, Farnell Packaging, NAT-UR Inc & Polargruppen A/S); governmental officials (Mass. Dept of Environmental Protection) and the scientific community (Ramani Narayan-Chairman of ASTM Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally Degradable Plastics).

For a complete membership list, click here for the Member Directory.

Why is the BPI involved in this program?
Ever since the introduction of "biodegradable plastics" fifteen years ago, confusion and skepticism about claims and product performance has prevailed. This situation stems largely from plastic products that did not biodegrade as expected, yet were able to make claims because no scientifically based test methods and standards existed.

Now that has changed. Specifications do exist. These are ASTM D6400 for films and ASTM D6868 for packaging which uses biodegradable coatings.

More importantly, technology has advanced to the point where there are plastics that have the functionality of existing products, yet will biodegrade completely and safely when composted, leaving no residues.

The Compostable Logo is designed to address the confusion that has existed by building credibility and recognition for products that meet the ASTM standards among consumers, composters, regulators and others. It is designed to be easily recognizable and able to be placed on the actual product as well as packaging materials and sales literature.

Why is the USCC involved in this program?
Non-degradable plastics cost the composting industry millions of dollars every year. They add to processing costs. They increase the percentage of material that is unsaleable and must be landfilled. The remaining plastic fragments reduce the value of the compost, creating lost revenue opportunities.

By working with the BPI, the USCC is able to capitalize on their scientific expertise to assure that products do in fact meet ASTM D6400 "Specifications for Compostable Plastics" or ASTM D6868 “Specification for Biodegradable Plastic Coatings on Paper and other Compostable Substrates”. An easy to identify symbol goes a long way to minimize the confusion that has existed in this area for the past 15 years.

What benefits will this program bring to the composting industry?
The program will save composters money by helping to eliminate the costs that plastics generate. Also, biodegradables will expand the feedstocks that composters can readily handle. For example, food scraps from special events and institutions often contain disposable plastic cutlery and straws. These are impossible to economically separate. By replacing ordinary plastics with biodegradables, now the entire wastestream can be composted, rather landfilled, as in the past.

How do you know that the products will compost satisfactorily?
The test methods and specifications found in ASTM D6400 and D6868 mimic what takes place in well-run municipal or commercial composting facilities. These tests were developed after 8 years of intensive work conducted at the request of the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). Participants in the study included the USCC, resin suppliers and the scientific community. The work identified 3 key criteria for materials and products to be compostable:

• They must biodegrade at a rate comparable to yard trimmings, food scraps and other compostable materials, such as kraft paper bags



• They must disintegrate, so that no large plastic fragments remain to be screened out.



• As important, products which meet these standards have been used in a variety of programs for a number of years. If you would like more information, contact Ramani Narayan, Chairman of ASTM Subcommittee D20.96-Environmentally Degradable Plastics. He can be reached via email Scientific Chairman. Dr. Narayan is also the head of the BPI’s Scientific Review Committee, which reviews product data to ensure that it meets ASTM D6400 or D6868.

Have any of these products been composted in "working facilities"?
Yes, many of these products have been in use for a few years and composted by USCC members.

A growing list of communities, including San Francisco, CA and Portland OR rely on the BPI to identify products that work will compost quickly and safely.

For example, biodegradable bin liners are used in a number of organic’s collection and composting programs in grocery stores, to minimize washing and keep bins cleaner. Also, food serviceware is in use today in colleges and cafeteria.

Are these products designed for composting at home, also?
No, the Compostable Logo identifies products that will perform satisfactorily in well managed municipal and commercial facilities-ones that meet the requirements found in the USCC’s Field Operator’s Guide. We will insist that producers use the appropriate language in the conjunction with the Logo to make this distinction clear.

While there are hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) of home composters, their piles or composting units typically do not generate the temperatures needed to assure rapid biodegradation of this new class of materials. For this reason, claims are limited to larger facilities.

What tests will be involved?
There are 3 key tests involved. All are referenced in the ASTM D6400 and D6868. The first measures the ability of the product or material to be converted to carbon dioxide by the organisms found in a compost pile at an acceptable rate. The second test measures the ability of the materials to fragment, so that products do not clog the screening equipment. The third test measures the ability of the resulting compost to support plant growth.

What products will be available and when?
While it is premature to discuss specific manufacturers at this time, interest in the Logo program has already been expressed by manufacturers of food serviceware, bags and bin liners and raw materials.

Depending on the prior testing that has been completed, the review process should take 30-60 days. Then it is a question as to how quickly graphic changes can be implemented by individual manufacturers. It is reasonable to expect products on the market carrying the Logo by the end of the year.

What products will be available and when?
The list of products is approved by the BPI is growing rapidly. Click on the links below for

Compostable Bags & Films
Food Service Items
Resins

Who are the scientists involved in the review process?
The head of the BPI’s Scientific Review Committee, Ramani Narayan Ph.D. Dr. Narayan is known around the world for his expertise in this area. He has assembled a list of well respected independent scientists to review the data generated by the approved labs. These scientists have excellent credentials, often have published on topics in this area and frequently are tenured professors of chemical engineering.

The Scientific Review Committee members are available upon request.

What testing labs can be used?
Here is a list of approved labs around the world. Their work is recognized by DIN Certco's in Europe and the Biodegradable Plastics Society in Japan. By using one of these labs, suppliers need to conduct one set of tests that can be used around the world.

How do I contact the BPI or the USCC for additional information?
The easiest way to contact either organization is to go to their websites:

For the BPI www.bpiworld.org
For the USCC www.compostingcouncil.org