A Case for Moving Forward Now
August 26, 2025
We hear this question a lot: “Why should I switch to certified compostable products if there’s no commercial composting facility nearby to take them?" It’s a fair concern—and one that deserves a thoughtful response. Here’s the reality: compostables are part of a long-term solution, not a quick fix. And yes, composting infrastructure is still growing across the U.S.—but that doesn’t mean your actions today don’t matter.
Investing in compostable products now is like laying the tracks before the train arrives. If everyone waits for infrastructure to be fully built before making changes, it will never be built. Composting programs grow in response to demand—and that demand often starts with foodservice operators, municipalities, and consumers choosing compostable materials.
Between 2018 and 2023, the number of full-scale food waste composting facilities in the U.S. grew from 185 to 200—a modest 8% increase. But the bigger story is the surge of activity across the entire spectrum, from community-scale sites to large commercial operations. Progress is happening, and demand plays a key role in driving it.
Even if some certified compostable products end up in the landfill today, choosing them now sends a clear market signal: we want more sustainable packaging—soil-regenerative, circular alternatives—not conventional plastics. According to one of the most recent reports from McKinsey & Company on consumer trends in packaging, “sustainability [is] a top concern across the whole packaging value chain. Many consumers [are] becoming increasingly aware of the packaging sector’s environmental footprint.”
In many communities, compostables represent a symbol of future readiness—especially in places where reusables aren’t always practical. Food-soiled packaging and serviceware often can’t be recycled through traditional systems and reusables are not always an option. Compostable products offer the best available end-of-life option in these cases, even when access to composting is limited.
And let’s be clear: making the switch doesn’t cause harm. In fact, replacing non-compostable materials is a crucial step toward reducing contamination at composting facilities. Contamination is one of the biggest barriers to scaling composting infrastructure. We won’t solve it by keeping non-compostables in the system. For more information on contamination, this report by Composting Consortium’s Closed Loop Partners provides important insights.
We also need to stop seeing this as all-or-nothing. Perfect is the enemy of pursuing progress. Waiting for the system to be perfect before making change only keeps us stuck in a loop of inaction. Like recycling decades ago, composting is a journey—and early adopters play a critical role.
It’s not unlike saying, “I won’t recycle because my neighbor doesn’t.” That logic holds us back. We need to keep moving forward, even if access isn’t yet universal.
When BPI talks to stakeholders—from small cities to large foodservice brands—we emphasize this front-end value. By choosing certified compostables, you're supporting:
As innovation in compostable packaging scales, so does the body of evidence supporting its effectiveness. Recent research from the Composting Consortium at Closed Loop Partners and other independent studies confirms that certified compostables break down efficiently within the proper conditions as designed and intended in a compost pile, making it clear that they’re part of a broader movement to transform how we manage organic waste.
Don’t let the lack of local infrastructure stop you from being part of the solution. Every certified compostable item used today helps create the system we need tomorrow. Choosing compostables isn’t about being perfect—it’s about pushing the market toward a future where soil health, material recovery, and climate goals are actually within reach.
Learn more here:
SPC Maps: Mapping Composting Infrastructure and Supporting Legislation
ILSR Article: Proposed Federal Compost Act to Create $2 Billion in Funding over 10 Years
