Predicting The Lifecycle Environmental Impacts of Compostable Packaging and Food Service Ware

The adoption of compostable packaging and food service ware has been seen as a way to mitigate environmental impacts and conserve resources. However, recent research suggests that compostability alone is not a reliable indicator of environmental benefits and burdens associated with these items. While composting can be beneficial compared to landfilling, the broader set of trade-offs introduced by compostable materials raises concerns.

An analysis conducted by DEQ reviewed 18 years of environmental life cycle assessments and found that, in the majority of cases, compostable materials had higher environmental impacts compared to non-compostable alternatives or compostable materials treated through recycling, landfilling, or incineration. This can be attributed to the production of feedstocks for compostable packaging and the limitations of composting as a waste management method.

There are additional concerns with compostable packaging, including operational variations in compost facilities, contamination of compost with uncomposted waste, increased pollution from "look-alike" materials, and the use of toxic materials in some paper-based compostable food service ware. Furthermore, most compostable plastics do not degrade in marine environments.

DEQ recommends that compostability should not be the sole criterion for design or procurement decisions. Instead, a holistic evaluation using life cycle assessment should be employed, prioritizing materials with the lowest environmental impact and optimizing their end-of-life recovery. Recycling is suggested as a better option for packaging once it has been optimized for life cycle impacts. To advance the use of compostable packaging, businesses should focus on materials with lower environmental impacts and avoid contaminating finished compost, which can undermine the economic sustainability and environmental benefits of the compost industry.