We accept any compostable product with BPI, TÜV Austria, or CMA certifications. Read more on what these certifications mean below!

The ASTM Standards Explained

ASTM International develops technical standards that define how compostability is measured. National entities like BPI rely directly on these standards. Below is a general ranking of common ASTM compostability related standards from most biodegradable to least biodegradable in typical composting environments.

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1. ASTM D6400

Compostable Plastics for Industrial Composting

This is the primary standard for plastics designed to be composted in commercial facilities. Materials must biodegrade at least 90% within 180 days under controlled composting conditions, disintegrate during processing, and meet toxicity and heavy metal limits. Products meeting D6400 are designed to fully convert into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass in industrial compost systems.

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2. ASTM D6868

Compostable Coatings and Laminated Products

This standard applies to compostable coatings on paper and fiber products. The plastic portion must meet similar biodegradation criteria as D6400. Because it applies to composite products rather than standalone plastic items, performance can vary depending on the overall product design, but it is still intended for full industrial compostability.

 

3. ASTM D5338

Laboratory Test Method for Aerobic Biodegradation

This is not a certification standard on its own. It is a laboratory method used to measure how much carbon in a material converts to carbon dioxide under composting conditions. Materials tested under D5338 may show biodegradation performance, but this method alone does not confirm full compostability.

 

4. ASTM D5511 and D5526

Biodegradation in High Solids Anaerobic or Landfill Conditions

These standards measure breakdown in environments that are more similar to landfills than compost facilities. Results can vary widely, and degradation is often partial or slow. Claims based on these standards should be evaluated carefully. Biodegradable in landfill does not mean compostable.

 

5. ASTM D6954

Oxodegradable Plastics

This standard involves plastics that fragment after exposure to heat and light, then may biodegrade further. Fragmentation does not guarantee full microbial assimilation into compost. In practical composting environments, oxodegradable materials are generally considered the least compatible with high quality compost production.

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Why This Matters

Not all biodegradable materials are created the same. Likewise, not all compostable materials are suited for backyard systems, and not all certifications reflect real world performance at a compost site.

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If you are selecting products for compost programs, municipal contracts, or zero waste initiatives, look for clear certification marks, alignment with ASTM D6400 or D6868, and acceptance by your local compost facility. Understanding these standards helps reduce contamination, protect compost quality, and ensure that materials marketed as compostable actually perform as intended.