Toolkit

Literature Review on the Impacts to the Composting Value Chain When Introducing Compostable Foodservice Packaging

In 2016, the Foodservice Packaging Institute’s Paper Recovery Alliance/Plastics Recovery Group commissioned a study to review the existing literature regarding the impacts of compostable foodservice packaging (FSP) at different points in the composting value chain. Key Finding: there is a growing body of evidence that shows the use of compostable foodservice packaging can lead to an increase of food scrap diversion and a reduction in contamination. Available data suggest that compostable FSP use, in conjunction with a suite of programs that include outreach, education, new infrastructure, and models of the desired behavior, can increase food scrap diversion rates and reduce observed contamination rates.