

Authoritative interpretation: the U.S. BPI industrial composting logo

Jun 14 , 2024

It has been more than three years since the implementation of the new version of the Plastic Restriction Order in 2021, and the concept of biodegradable plastics has been widely popularized within the plastics industry, but awareness at the level of the average consumer is still weak, and it is difficult for them to distinguish what are truly biodegradable products. By comparing the labels of other environmentally friendly plastic products in China, the European sapling label, and the U.S. BPI label, we may be able to get some references from them.

1.1 U.S. BPI industrial composting logo

Author: Rheinland Technologies (Shanghai) Co.

Biodegradable product manufacturers exporting to the U.S. market should be no stranger to the U.S. BPI certification. As the copyright owner of the logo, BPI pays particular attention to the use of the certification logo on products applying for certification and will confirm with the companies applying for it one by one. BPI requires that all certified products and packages must display the certification logo unless an exemption has been granted in writing.

截屏2024-06-12_10.30.59.png

This is because the logo is important to distinguish compostable products from non-compostable products, as a visual reminder to consumers and end-users when deciding whether or not to place an item in the organics/compost bin, and for composters to be certain that the items they receive at their composting facility will not contaminate the composting process, and in connection with the realization of the BPI's vision to divert more products and packaging from the landfill that can be industrially composted. packaging are identified from landfills and diverted to organic waste for composting.BPI has prepared an extensive Certification Mark Use Requirements brochure that outlines current regulatory requirements for compostability messaging in the U.S. and Canada and shows examples of the use of the BPI Certification Mark. Regardless of which version of the logo is chosen for a product or package, the following five constituent elements are required.

截屏2024-06-12_10.31.43.png

1.2 American Biodegradable Products Institute

The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is a multi-stakeholder organization that includes key individuals and groups from government, industry, and academia.BPI is dedicated to promoting the use, recycling, and composting of biodegradable polymer materials. By providing a certification that is recognized by composters and waste management professionals, BPI helps to create and expand the market for industrially compostable products.BPI is known for its Industrial Composting Certification, which verifies that products and packaging materials are compostable in an industrial composting facility in accordance with one or more of the standards ASTM D6400, D6868, and D8410.BPI also conducts research on home composting and soil degradation. BPI is also studying the certification of biodegradable materials such as home composting and soil degradation, and TUV Rheinland's DINCERTCO (German Standards Institution Certification Center) is acting as a technical evaluation partner for the BPI certification to develop and update the certification program.

1.3 Certification Programs

The certification of a product depends on whether the product falls within the scope of application as defined by the BPI certification scheme.BPI assesses the applicability and gives examples of products for which industrial composting is and is not applicable based on the following basic principles:

● The item must be collected for composting with organic waste (e.g., food scraps and common organic trimmings from yards).

● The item (e.g., water bottles) cannot be a redesign that is more appropriate for recycled items based on existing demand, infrastructure, and consumer awareness.

● The item cannot have to be disassembled before it can be composted.

Packaging and products that typically come into contact with food and organic waste, or their raw materials, semi-finished products, and additives that meet the requirements of the certification program can be certified and authorized to use the BPI certification mark.

Our products are already BPI certified and we are direct factory, which gives you an advantage in terms of price. We look forward to working with you!

截屏2024-06-12_10.39.28.png