As compostable packaging gains traction, there is a growing need for standardized testing methods that all stakeholders can rely on. In 2022, the Compostable Field Testing Program (CFTP) team joined a transdisciplinary initiative under the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International to standardize the methods to field test compostable products. The CFTP donated its field test protocols and co-authored the revisions to the documents over 3 years, and both test methods—mesh bag and dose—have now been published. This marks a major milestone in the evolution of field testing towards consistent, reliable, transparent methodologies producing reliable data on compostable item performance across diverse compost sites.
On August 8, ASTM International approved two new standards (D8618 and D8619) to evaluate the breakdown of certified compostable products in real-world facilities. D8618 measures disintegration of items added directly to compost piles, while D8619 uses contained items, such as mesh bags, for facilities with agitation or enclosed systems. Together, the methods provide clear, consistent frameworks for monitoring and reporting composting conditions, giving operators, policymakers, and manufacturers the tools to better understand how compostable packaging performs in practice.
Read More: https://compostfoundation.org/biocycle-new-astm-standards-for-field-testing-of-compostable-products/