Biodegradable Products Institute BPI News Library

NSF International to Administer BPI Certification Program

David S. Brooks — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:18:07 GMT

To handle a five-fold increase in compostable product certifications, the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) today announced that it’s successful “Compostable Logo” effort will be administered by NSF International (Ann Arbor, MI) beginning in January 2012.

The NSF is a global certification organization which will verify manufacturers’ claims of compostability in large-scale composting facilities. Companies submit products and testing data to substantiate the biodegradation, disintegration and absence of eco-toxicity of their products including compostable bags, foodservice items, packaging materials, and other consumer products. After certification, manufacturers, authorized distributors and resellers may then license the BPI’s “Compostable Logo” for marketing claims.

NSF International will now accept and review certification requests to ensure that all BPI-certified products continue to meet ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 standards for compostability. Actual licensing and market development efforts will remain the responsibility of the BPI.

NSF is a global leader in third-party, independent product certification and testing, and is actively involved in the development of global public health standards. NSF brings to the BPI’s certification program more than 65 years’ experience, including national and international accreditations, and global operations that today serve more than 10,000 certification customers in 150 countries worldwide.

The new service agreement is designed to bolster the credibility and capability of the 10-year old BPI “Compostable Logo” program, which has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. By partnering with NSF, the BPI certification program will also comply with the requirements of ISO Guide 65, the internationally recognized standard for third-party certification bodies.

“The BPI Compostable Logo is widely recognized by consumers, composters and municipal officials throughout North America as the preferred trademark to assure compostability in commercial facilities,” said Steven A. Mojo, BPI’s executive director. “As more companies recognize the importance and value of food waste diversion and composting, coupled with the increasing importance of responsible environmental marketing claims about compostability, we anticipate even more growth in the years ahead”.

“NSF International’s expertise and recognition in both product certification and sustainability will increase the credibility of the BPI’s effort,” stated Tom Bruursema, General Manager NSF Sustainability, a division of NSF International. “Our new partnership will create a strong foundation to support BPI’s anticipated growth.”

According to Mojo, this agreement will also enable the BPI to expand its educational and marketing activities for compostable products throughout North America. “While product certification is the foundation of BPI’s mission, our members look to us to act as a leading advocate for the key issues that face all manufacturers of compostable products in North America,” added Mojo. “This agreement allows BPI to handle more product certifications while expanding its reach to better serve the needs of our industry.”

The BPI awarded the first “Compostable Logo” in 2002 in an effort to distinguish compostable plastic applications from ones made of traditional non-degradable plastics. Since then more than 238 products have been certified by BPI by more than 130 global companies.

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Biodegradable Products are not major contributors to Methane Emissions from landfills, as claimed in 5/27 ES&T article.

David S. Brooks — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:04:39 GMT

A North Carolina State University study, published online in the May 27 issue of Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T), leaves the impression that “biobased biodegradable products” potentially generate large amounts of methane when they are landfilled. The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) believes that the headlines and conclusions of this work are inappropriate.

There are two fallacies in the article’s arguments.

First, the author, James Levis, leads the reader to believe that since a biobased material will quickly biodegrade under aerobic conditions, such as composting, that it will also do so under the anaerobic conditions found in landfills. This is not the case.

Composting is designed to promote rapid aerobic biodegradation by optimizing the moisture, temperature and feedstocks in the compost piles. Landfills are largely anaerobic and the microbial population in them differs significantly from that of a compost pile. We know that within a few months, products made from polylactic acid (PLA) will biodegrade rapidly and completely under composting conditions. However, research shows that this is not the case for PLA under anaerobic conditions. The chart below shows that very little biodegradation of PLA takes place under standardized testing.

Source: http://www.natureworksllc.com/the-ingeo-journey/end-of-life-options/landfill.aspx

Testing for other “compostable” resins shows much the same result-limited biodegradation under anaerobic conditions.

Second, biodegradable products make up a miniscule portion of the solid waste stream. Today, the projected annual market sales for all ‘compostable’ resins in North America are approximately 100,000 tons. By comparison, the EPA’s Solid Waste Characterization for 2009 shows US generated:

25.9 million tons of Paper and Board
33.4 million tons of Food Waste
13.3 million tons of Yard Trimmings.

Source: Table 3 Chap. 2: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/msw2009rpt.pdf

One can see that the volume of “compostable” resins is dwarfed by the millions of tons rapidly biodegrading paper, food and yard debris that the US continues to landfill every year.

Oddly, the ES&T article does not mention Dr. Barlaz’s prior work, Estimation of Waste Component-Specific Landfill Decay Rates Using Laboratory-Scale Decomposition Data, published in 2010.

In this study, Dr. Barlaz explored the kinetics of biodegradation of different feedstocks. One of the conclusions of his research: eliminating all food and yard waste can reduce the total landfill methane production by 30-35%.

The BPI believes that the May 2011 ES&T article should have focused on the key contributors to greenhouse gases and should been titled “Food Scraps and Paper: The Root Cause of Methane from Landfills.”

A More Logical Conclusion

Rather than maintaining the current status quo of solid waste handling, the BPI believes the real issue is to prevent putrescible materials from being landfilled in the first place. Communities should work to recycle food scraps and wet unrecyclable papers in managed compost facilities, where they will be converted aerobically into useful soil amendments, or send to anaerobic digesters, where the methane can be captured much more safely than in a landfill.

Maybe we can learn something from our neighbor’s to the north. Today 25% of Canada’s population has access to residential collection of food scraps. After only a few years of operation, today these organics recycling programs are diverting approximately 12-15% of Canadian food waste.

Finally, the BPI shares Dr. Barlaz’s concern for the growing number of “biodegradable” claims, for products that are typically landfilled. Many of these claims are spurred by additive suppliers that would like consumers to think that it is OK to throw products in the trash, as they will somehow magically disappear.

The National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau (NAD) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have repeatedly determined that these types of claims are misleading. Moreover, the BPI has conducted three anaerobic biodegradation tests on plastic products with “biodegradable additives”. At the end of 60 days, little or no biodegradation was evident. Further, the tests indicated that no biodegradation could be anticipated in the future. You can find these tests starting at the link below:

http://www.bpiworld.org/BPI-Public/News/Article.html

The BPI applauds those responsible marketers who are making efforts to convert packaging products and products so that they can be effectively diverted from landfills through composting and recycling, rather than following the Siren’s call of “biodegradable.”

Steven A. Mojo
BPI Executive Director

July 5, 2011

Additional Testing Data on Aquamantra Bottles

Steve Mojo — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:17:50 GMT

The BPI tested Aquamantra PET Bottles at a second lab, Organic Waste Systems, using ASTM D5511. After 45 days, the test was stopped, as no biodegradation was observed. Specifically, the positive control achieved 85% after 15 days and finished at 87.3% at the end of the test. The PET test sample showed no biodegradation during the entire 45 day test period.

The test report can be downloaded from the link below:
OWS Aquamantra Final Report Mar 11.pdf

The BPI has now tested PET bottles in 2 independent labs. The first test ran 60 days, the sample achieved 10% of the positive control and no further biodegradation was evident at the end of the period. The second test results were not as successful, with no biodegradation witnessed after 45 days.

Testing Results for Green Genius "Biodegradable" Bags

Steve Mojo — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:37:05 GMT

NSF conducted a test of biodegradable" polyethelyne bags sold by Green Genius, using ASTM D5511. This product used an "organic" biodegradable additive.

After 60 days, the bags achieved an overall biodegradation total of 0.16% or less than 1% of the positive control. Additionally. the biodegradation process has stopped, as the gas generation curve plateaued.

This marks the second 60 test showing that the overall level of biodegration stopped before the end of the test in products made from traditional resin that incorporate "organic" biodegradable additives.

Follow the link below for the entire test report:NSF PE Green Genius Final Report Mar 11.pdf

Update on Compostable Bag Activities in Canada

Steve Mojo — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:14:55 GMT

Below is a presentation covering the latest developments of compostable plastic bags in Canada. The BPI would like to thank the Canadian Plastics Industry Association and VisionQuest Environmental Strategies Corp. for supplying the information.

Canadian NTL Compostable Bag Final MAR 2011.pdf.

If you would like to use this data in your presentations, please contact the BPI at info@bpiworld.org

BPI Tests Aquamantra "Biodegradable" Bottle

Steve Mojo — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:13:04 GMT

NSF conducted a test of Aquamantra's "Biodegradable" PET bottle, using ASTM D5511. After 60 days, the bottle achieved an overall biodegradation total of 4.47% or 10% of the positive control. Moreover, the biodegradation process has stopped, as the gas generation curve has plateaued. Per ASTM D5511-11, the results of this test cannot be extrapolated to claim that the bottle will fully biodedgrade in the future.

You can download the entire NSF report from the link below: Aquamantra NSF PET D5511 Test Results J-00091962 Final Report.pdf

BPI Guidelines for Labeling "Compostable" Products

Steve Mojo — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:04:20 GMT

BPI has published guidelines for manufacturers wishing to market their products as "Compostable in large scale facilities." The guidelines call for adherence to ASTM specifications and labeling in compliance with FTC Guides, inorder to aid consumer recognition of these items.

For a complete Follow the link below for a copy of the guides

USCC Call for Papers; Abstract Submission Deadline: June 25, 2010

Steve Mojo — Wed, 19 May 2010 12:15:05 GMT

Join us at the US Composting Council's 19th Annual Conference & Trade Show

January 23-26, 2011 Santa Clara/San Jose, CA

The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste & Organics Recycling Industry

The Most Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical Sessions, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations.

USCC Call for Papers May 2010.pdf

Organic Waste Systems (Gent, Belgium) Evaluates a 20-micron Thick Goody Bag Under Aerobic Composting Conditions

David S. Brooks — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:34:23 GMT

The attached report (link below) from Organic Waste Systems (Gent, Belgium) evaluates a 20-micron thick Goody bag vs. two certified compostable bags and a paper bag under aerobic composting conditions. The report clearly shows that bags with additives from Goody Products in Australia are not compostable and will generate large amounts of plastic residues.

Report is republished with permission from BASF Corporation.

OWS Test Results on Goody Bags - Total report-GS-15-2-ed2r.pdf

“Biodegradable plastics” are not the Panacea to Solid Waste

Steve Mojo — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:48:23 GMT

Lately, the BPI and its members are seeing an increasing number of “biodegradable” claims, relating to plastic bags and other plastic items. Manufacturer claims include phrases like “biodegrades in landfills” or “reduces the impact of litter because they are biodegradable”. The BPI is increasingly concerned by these claims not only in the US but also in Canada.

Click here for BPI position on biodegradabilty.pdf

California Supermarket Chain Uses Composting to Achieve 60 percent Landfill Waste Diversion

David S. Brooks — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:14:34 GMT

The $3.5 billion Southern California supermarket chain Stater Bros. recently discussed their six-month old waste reduction/recycling program that is using food-waste composting to successfully divert more than 18 tons of biodegradable wastes from local landfills.

In an article by Cassie MacDuff of the Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise, Stater Brother’s regional vice president, Keith Thomas, was quoted as saying the 167-store chain is on track to divert almost 77% of in-store waste -- produce trimmings, blemished fruit, dairy products past their use-by dates – by the program’s April 22 anniversary.

“About 85 percent of what goes into Stater Bros. compost is produce,” said Thomas. “The rest is cottage cheese, yogurt, waxed cardboard and anything biodegradable except meat, milk or liquids.”

Read about Stater Brothers Supermarket Composting Program here.

BioEnvironmental Polymer Society Meeting Call for Papers

Steve Mojo — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:11:06 GMT

The 17^th Annual BEPS Meeting will be held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. The meeting will be co-sponsored by the BPI. Meeting attendees will enjoy a motivating plenary session followed by a variety of scientific and industrial presentations throughout the week. Attendees will receive an abstract book at the meeting; a CD containing the meeting presentations will be mailed to registered attendees following the meeting.

Presentations will cover Nanocomposites, Standards, Definitions and Methods, Biopolymer Blends, Composting and Anaerobic Digestion, Cellulose Polymers and Composites, PHA-Based Materials, Biobased Paper, Packaging, and Coating Technology, PLA-Based Materials, Processing of Biobased Polymers and Plastics, Natural Fiber Composites, Soybean Based Materials, Carbohydrate Based Materials and Synthetic Plastics and the Environment.

Click here to download for more details.

Black Plastic Leaf Bags are "Blacklisted" in Minnesota

David S. Brooks — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:51:42 GMT

For most of the seven-county Twin Cities (Minnesota) metropolitan area, 2009 will be the final season for those ubiquitous black plastic bags when collecting yard trimmings. Even those bags that are touted as "biodegradable" will be banned for grass clippings and leaves.

A new law goes into effect January 1, 2010 that will require yard waste bags be made of compostable materials, in an effort to create an organic waste stream free of black plastic and in turn higher quality compost. Residents are still free to use paper bags or reusable containers. They can even drop off plastic bags as long as they remove the yard trimmings and take the bags home. In 2010 homeowners and lawn services will be expected to switch to paper leaf bags or plastic ones made of corn resin or other natural products.

You can read the full story on the KARE11.com website.

The BPI has created a special webpage with Minnesota retailers that sell BPI-certified compostable bags that comply with the new regulations.

You can watch a KARE TV11 (Minneapolis) TV interview with the bill's author, Rep. Paul Gardner, at the KARE TV 11 Website.

Compostable Products Go Mainstream

BioCycle Magazine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:49:58 GMT

"With major companies like Solo Cup, Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart (in Canada), Whole Foods, International Paper, Glad and Dixie Cup offering branded compostable products, there is overwhelming evidence that this marketplace (biodegradable products) has gone mainstream."

This is the central conclusion of a feature article written by Rhodes Yepsen in the August issue of BioCycle Magazine.

According to the story, manufacturers, consumers and composters are also paying more attention to whether the products are actually compostable, seeking out the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) logo.

“The composting industry increasingly understands that BPI-approved products will compost appropriately, and that products with faulty claims stand out on the screens at the end,” says Steven A. Mojo, executive director of the BPI. “This is coupled with legislation in California and Minnesota allowing ASTM D6400 compliant compostable bags in municipal programs instead of ordinary plastic bags. And a number of major retailers like Wal-Mart and Shopper’s Drug Mart in Canada and Whole Foods are utilizing BPI-approved compostable products for their store brand, showing that a broader range of customers are paying attention.”

BPI’s website (bpiworld.org) currently features 25 bag manufacturers, 27 companies making foodservice items and packaging films, and 19 resin manufacturers. To put this in perspective, BioCycle’s July 2007 article on compostable products reported 12 bag manufacturers and 12 companies making foodservice products and film.

To read the entire story, click the link "Compostable Products Go Mainstream". (registration on 3rd party website is required to download the entire two-part story as a pdf)

BPI Response to Dr. Gerald Scott's Comments on ASTM D6954

David S. Brooks — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:31:44 GMT

This letter to the editor is in response to the article originally published in FoodProductionDaily.com on August 4, 2009 and reported in GreenerPackage.com, regarding Dr. Scott’s comments on ASTM D6954. While his comments are partially correct, Dr. Scott’s interpretation of the document is incorrect.

Complete letter to the editor of Food Packaging Production Aug 09.pdf

As background, I collaborated with Graham Swift (a former Board Member of EPI, an oxo additive supplier) to create this standard, along with other members of the ASTM sub-committee D20.96.

We worked for a 2-3 years to create this document, which is titled:

* “Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation”

What is important to recognize is that this document is a “Standard Guide” and not a “Standard Specification”. While this document is a recognized ASTM Standard, as a guide, ASTM D6954 does not contain any pass/fail criteria, as are found in specifications such as ASTM D6400 or the CEN Norm, EN 13432

BPI Evaluates Biodegradability Claims of 'oxo-biodegradable' Products

David S. Brooks — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:35:49 GMT

In 2003, using the Tier 1 tests in the proposed ASTM “Guide for Environmentally Oxo-biodegradable Plastics”, the Advanced Materials Center, Ottawa IL (AMC) studied the performance of oxo-degradable films at different temperatures and under high and low humidity conditions. For these tests, bags containing EPI’s TDPA (Totally Degradable Plastic Additives) were used. These were purchased from a distributor in the Northeast.

Tier 1 tests are designed to promote or accelerate oxidation of oxo-degradable materials prior to placing the materials in bio-meters to measure the rate of biodegradation. The loss of tensile strength is the signal that oxidation and chain scission are occurring. This step must take place prior to becoming able to be biodegraded.

Click here to read the BPI report on biodegradability claims of 'oxo-biodegradable' products.

BPI Logo Program Cited by Wall Street Journal as "Benchmark" for Environmental Certification

David S. Brooks — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:02:30 GMT

Recently the Wall Street Journal published a review about the confusing range of "eco-certification" programs and schemes facing consumers and packaged good providers.

The story cited the BPI’s Compostable Logo program as one of 15 green-label programs recognized by leading corporations and environmental groups as a good benchmark for accurate certification of environmental claims.

Company Director Convicted of False Biodegradability Claims

David S. Brooks — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:57:56 GMT

The Federal Court of Australia declared on March 30 that a director who approved her company’s advertising had been knowingly made false and misleading claims about biodegradability. Ms Charishma Seneviratne, while a director of SeNevens International Ltd, approved the company’s claim that the whole of its Safeties Nature Nappy product was biodegradable, when she knew that was not the case.

Justice Marshall has imposed a five-year injunction on Ms Seneviratne restraining her from being party to any nappy biodegradability claims without first having received independent scientific testing of the product being promoted.

ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel said: “This case serves to emphasise that directors cannot hide behind their companies. If a director or employee is knowingly concerned in their company’s misleading conduct, then those individuals also risk personal fines and injunctions.

The (Australian) Federal Court had previously declared that the company had engaged in false or misleading conduct by making representations that the Safeties Nature Nappy was ‘100% biodegradable’.

Justice Marshall had previously declared that the biodegradability claims were false and misleading because SeNevens’ Safeties Nature Nappy range contained plastic components that are not capable of being broken down by the biological activity of living organisms.

Senevens marketed its ‘100% biodegradable’ nappy and nappy disposal bag in Western Australia from November 2006 before expanding to all Australian States and the ACT in March 2007. SeNevens withdrew the product from sale in April 2008 after the ACCC’s investigation into the claims.

Justice Marshall found that in making the claims SeNevens contravened sections 52 and 53 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 by engaging in misleading conduct about the biodegradability of its Safeties Nature Nappy. Justice Marshall imposed injunctions on SeNevens restraining it from engaging in similar conduct and ordered that SeNevens publish a corrective advertisement and establish a trade practices compliance program.

“Consumers are actively choosing products that are environmentally friendly. If a business makes biodegradability claims then it must ensure the claims are supported by rigorous scientific evidence.”

NAD EXAMINES ADVERTISING FOR GP PLASTICS CORP. ‘POLYGREEN’ PLASTIC BAGS

David S. Brooks — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 11:51:06 GMT

NAD Recommends Marketer Modify, Discontinue Certain ‘Green’ Marketing Claims

New York, NY – Dec. 8, 2008 – The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus has recommended that GP Plastics Corp., the maker of PolyGreen plastic bags for the newspaper industry, modify or discontinue certain advertising claims for its PolyGreen plastic bags

The company has said it will appeal NAD’s findings to the National Advertising Review Board

The claims at issue were challenged before NAD, the advertising industry’s self-regulatory forum, by Mexico Plastic Company, doing business as Continental Products, a competing provider of plastic bags for the delivery of newspapers

Claims at issue included: • PolyGreen plastic bags are “100% oxo-biodegradable”

• PolyGreen plastic bags are “disposable through ordinary channels” and go “[f]rom front lawn, to waste bins to the landfill”

• “A greener tomorrow is in the bag.”

• “The result is obvious – bag it with PolyGreen and increase your margins while saving the planet.”

• “So why not deliver on what your customers and state and local governments are or will be demanding.”

• “You won’t notice any difference but the environment will.”

• “The greatest thing to ever hit the earth.”

• “Eco-Friendly Plastic Newspaper Bags”

• PolyGreen plastic bags are “environmentally friendly.”

• “We are very excited about the prospect of eliminating anything relative to our newspaper that could have a negative affect on our environment.”

• “Our bags are completely recyclable”

GP Plastics represented that its plastic bags are manufactured using “oxo-biodegradable” technology. Oxo-biodegradation refers to a two-step process. The first is oxidation, by which the plastic material’s polymers first start to break down into smaller molecular units under exposure to oxygen and heat. The second step involves the further breaking down of the molecular units into carbon dioxide, water and biomass through reaction with naturally occurring microorganisms

NAD noted that the proprietary additive and technology utilized by GP Plastics is designed to accelerate degradation of its plastic bag, thereby providing a plastic product that potentially offers a legitimate environmental benefit as compared to conventional polyethylene plastic bags. However, NAD observed that there was no evidence in the record that consumers understood “oxobiodegradable” to have a different meaning, or a different impact on the environment, than products that are “biodegradable.” NAD noted that the advertiser’s claim that PolyGreen bags “are disposable through ordinary channels” should similarly be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence that the entire plastic bag “will completely break down and return to nature … within a reasonably short period of time after customary disposal.” However, NAD determined that the evidence in the record did not support that claim

NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue the claim that PolyGreen bags are “100% oxobiodegradable” and otherwise modify its advertising to avoid conveying the message that PolyGreen bags will quickly or completely biodegrade when disposed of through “ordinary channels,” e.g., when placed in a landfill

NAD further recommended that the advertiser discontinue claims such as “eco-friendly” and “environmentally friendly” as well as the promise of a “green tomorrow” and “saving the planet” because the claims overstate the evidence with respect to the degradation of the plastic bags

Finally because there was no testing of the PolyGreen plastic bags or evidence demonstrating that product is compatible with the traditional plastic bag recycling stream, NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue its recyclable claims

The company, in its advertiser’s statement, said it is a strong supporter of truthful advertising and appreciated the opportunity to participate in the NAD’s self-regulatory process

However, the company said, it is “disappointed with the NAD’s conclusion that the evidence submitted by GP Plastics did not adequately support GP Plastic’s claims for the oxo-biodegradable and recyclable properties of its plastic bags and disagrees with the NAD’s decision. Accordingly, GP Plastics intends to appeal all findings adverse to GP Plastics in the NAD’s decision to the National Advertising Review Board … .” NAD's inquiry was conducted under NAD/CARU/NARB Procedures for the Voluntary Self-Regulation of National Advertising. Details of the initial inquiry, NAD's decision, and the advertiser's response will be included in the next NAD/CARU Case Report

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About Advertising Industry Self-Regulation: The National Advertising Review Council (NARC) was formed in 1971 by the Association of National Advertisers, Inc. (ANA), the American Association of Advertising Agencies, Inc. (AAAA), the American Advertising Federation, Inc. (AAF), and the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. (CBBB). Its purpose is to foster truth and accuracy in national advertising through voluntary self-regulation. NARC is the body that establishes the policies and procedures for the CBBB’s National Advertising Division (NAD) and Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU), as well as for the National Advertising Review Board (NARB) and the Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program (ERSP)

NAD and CARU are the investigative arms of the advertising industry’s voluntary self-regulation program. Their casework results from competitive challenges from other advertisers, and also from self-monitoring traditional and new media. The National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appeals body, is a peer group from which ad-hoc panels are selected to adjudicate those cases that are not resolved at the NAD/CARU level. This unique, self-regulatory system is funded entirely by the business community; CARU is financed by the children’s advertising industry, while NAD/NARC/NARB’s sole source of funding is derived from membership fees paid to the CBBB. ERSP’s funding is derived from membership in the Electronic Retailing Association. For more information about advertising self regulation, please visit www.narcpartners.org

The Compost Initiative

David S. Brooks — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:17:26 GMT

Rian Bedard at Me & Ollie's is working with Earthtenders to compost most of the bakery's trash - and he issues a challenge to other local businesses to do the same.

Rian Bedard, manger of the Me & Ollie's in downtown Portsmouth, is on a mission and is issuing a challenge to local businesses. To make it simple, call it rethinking waste.

More succinctly, call it thinking seriously about compost and what this means and how much money it can save the city and communities as well as the environment.

Me & Ollie's Café has launched a program with Earthtenders Organics Recycling.

"We are separating organic waste from our trash," said Bedard, "and sending it to Earthtenders' composting facility in Farmington, New Hampshire, where it will be made into organic compost."

...more.