New Standard ASTM Test Methods for Compostability

– This is part one of a three-part series addressing compostability. –

1. New Standard ASTM Test Methods

In August 2025, ASTM International officially released two groundbreaking standard test methods designed to field test materials for compostability: ASTM D8618 and ASTM D8619.  These new standards could support California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54) by integrating field testing of compostable material with laboratory performance. Under SB 54, all covered materials must be either recyclable or eligible to be labeled compostable by 2032; these new standards could play a role in how "compostable" is defined and enforced.

2. California Definitions of Compostability

Most states define industrial compostability by ASTM D6400 (plastics) or ASTM D6868 (plastic coatings) standards – which focus on percentage of biodegradation in a lab, disintegration timelines, heavy metals, and plant toxicity.  California, however, goes further by mandating additional standards to minimize PFAS and synthetic additives, while also requiring that material types are actually accepted by composting facilities.

3. Laboratory Tests for Compostability

While laboratory tests, including ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868, provide comparability and consistency, they often fail to replicate the "real-world" conditions of industrial composting facilities, which typically require compressed timelines for disintegration, have variable feedstock to start the process, and may reject materials that look like plastics (e.g., coated fibers) due to concerns about contamination. These factors may lead to compost facilities either rejecting food waste all together, or not accepting compostable materials.

4. Field Tests for Compostability

To bridge this gap, there are two main organizations that support performing the field tests of compostable materials: (1) the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA), and (2) United States Composting Council’s (USCC’s) Compost Research and Education Foundation (CREF) Compostable Field Testing Program (CFTP).

CMA verifies ASTM laboratory results and provides field tests at their facilities. CMA then certifies materials based on the laboratory standards and on how they perform in specific types of industrial composting systems (e.g., windrow vs. aerated static pile). CFTP is a research program that also tests materials in a compost facility rather than a laboratory. The CFTP is an open-source platform that provides data about real-world composting conditions to the industry.

The new ASTM standards for field testing provide official guidance on how field testing should occur. 

5. CMA Position on New Field Test Standards

According to Janet Thoman, Managing Director and General Counsel of CMA, “While laboratory standards are essential, field testing is a critical step to ensure that receiving facilities have a meaningful way to vet products for compatibility with their systems. Without this step, we risk wasting industry investment with products that are mismatched to modern composting facilities and are ultimately destined for the landfill.”

6. Integrating Compostability Into a Packaging Strategy

Integrating compostability into a packaging and food service ware strategy is particularly vital for materials that are likely to carry food (e.g., carryout food containers) or yard waste (e.g., bags for leafs) to a facility. As the legislation continues to be enacted, monitoring the development of applicable standards for what is considered eligible to be labeled compostable will be critical to maintaining market access in California for certain industry sectors – particularly bioplastics.

Subjects of Subsequent Blogs

Watch for parts two and three of this series that will dive deeper into the National Organics Program requirement of AB 1201 and the CMC list of materials that can be considered compostable under SB 54.

Dr. Stephen Taylor is an Executive Policy Advisor for EPR Group Consulting, Inc. Dr. Taylor previously served as a consultant for Compost Manufacturing Alliance and supported ASTM standard development for field testing compostables and Circular Product Design.