Sustainability-minded manufacturers and brands continue to pursue compostable versions of their packaging, even as composters report some challenges with processing these products.
This year, compostables further penetrated mainstream channels; Walmart, for example, began selling commercially compostable cutlery through its Great Value store brand. There are also new R&D efforts afoot to optimize compostable packaging, including by PepsiCo and Clemson University.
On the other hand, some composters are restricting acceptance of compostable packaging and food ware, citing contamination and processing issues; leading Colorado composter A1 Organics was a notable example this year. Additionally, compostability claims are getting fresh scrutiny amid a review of the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides.
We’ve rounded up some of Packaging Dive’s top reporting on compostable packaging in 2023.
