CMA Field Testing Program - Submit Your Compostable Products for Review

ALL CMA Approved Compostable Packaging is on a Temporary HOLD from being placed in A1 Organics Recycling Stream

PLEASE CONTACT - CLINTONSANDER@A1ORGANICS.COM - WITH ANY QUESTIONS

Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) Approved Packaging and Field Testing Program

Test Your Compostable Products

At A1 Organics, we strive to make sure that nothing goes to waste. Our closed-loop sustainability model diverts organic waste out of landfills to be repurposed for applications in agriculture, landscaping, infrastructure, and beyond.

As the world moves toward more sustainable practices, zero-waste alternatives for food service ware are gaining popularity with cities, companies, and individuals alike. A1 Organics is proud to help meet the growing demand for compostable products by partnering with members of the Composting Manufacturing Alliance (CMA), who supply field testing, substrate review, and product development programs to assess compostable products’ feasibility for use in food-related feedstock after being processed at fully permitted industrial composting facilities.

Together with the CMA and our other composting affiliates, we aim to support and develop products that will break down well with industrial composting technologies — working to maximize food waste diversion and minimize contamination of urban feedstocks.

Find out more:
customerservice@composterapproved.com
(206-771-3853)

Eligibility Requirements for CMA

Testing and Substrate Review

You must be the manufacturer of the product OR an authorized agent for the product manufacturer.

In order to prevent repeated testing of the same products and to ensure the accuracy of submission information, the CMA requires that only the product manufacturer completes the profile form. If you are a private label company and you would like to submit samples for testing, then you must also submit a letter from the product manufacturer that 1) states that all information provided on the electronic compostability profile is accurate, and 2) authorizes you to receive all testing information and results.

Products must be related to food service or yard waste collection.

Examples of items that are appropriate for CMA field testing include bags, utensils and silverware, plates and bowls, clamshells, wraps, and more. Some products may require testing prerequisites — please refer to guidelines below for more information.

You must follow all testing guidelines and meet prerequisite requirements.

FLUORINATED CHEMICAL POLICY

Effective January 1, 2020, CMA facilities do not accept products for field testing or substrate review that contain > 100 ppm total fluorine and/or intentionally added fluorine.

How to Submit Samples for Testing

Prepare three to five samples per testing process.

For example, if you are submitting an item for testing with both Mass Bed technology and Windrow technology, be sure to submit two sets of three to five samples each.

Fill out the CMA Compostability Profile,

reviewing and signing each section. Be sure to list each individual product for testing and include a unique identification number for every line item.

Email the completed profile to customerservice@composterapproved.com.

Make sure to include all required paperwork and detailed product descriptions (breaking down 100% of the product’s constituent pieces) for each item. If you are submitting on behalf of the product manufacturer, you must also include a letter from them stating that the information you’ve provided is accurate and that you are authorized to receive testing results.

Ship product samples to:

Compost Manufacturing Alliance, LLC
2501 SE Mile Hill Drive, Suite A-104
Port Orchard, WA 98366

Send three to five samples for each line item and label at least one of each with the identification number from the electronic profile so that it can be matched. Also include a signed copy of the profile and all related paperwork.

Pay testing fees.

Fee amounts vary based on type of product, testing process, and sample quantity. Send payments to:

Compost Manufacturing Alliance
P.O. Box 1063
Port Orchard, WA 98366

Submission Deadlines:

Generally speaking, all samples and required documentation must be received by the 5th business day of the month to be submitted for that month’s round of testing. Refer to the Composting Manufacturing Alliance’s current testing schedule for the most up-to-date information on submission deadlines.

Use of CMA Logo:

Please note that the testing and/or acceptance of an item does not authorize any use of any Composting Manufacturing Alliance logos, trademarks, letterhead, or company name on products, websites, packaging, or marketing materials.

Any such uses can be authorized only at our discretion and pursuant to a formal written license agreement through the Compost Manufacturing Alliance.

To learn more about logo use, please write to
customerservice@composterapproved.com

Guidelines by Product Type

Food Service Items

Prerequisites for testing:

All items must be BPI certified and/or meet the corresponding biodegradation standards:

Items with bioplastic, co-polymers, PLA-coated paperboard or paper, and other similar items must meet ASTM D6400 / EN13432 standards
Items with plastics used as coatings on compostable substrates and fibrous materials must meet ASTM D6868 standards

Please include BPI certifications and/or ASTM lab results on the finished product. ASTM results must include heavy metals analysis, spectral analysis, phytotoxicity, and biodegradation.

Cost:

$4,750 per test batch (up to 10 items)
$350 per each additional item
-$50 discount per item submitted with current BPI certification

Pre-ASTM Product Testing

If you have specific products that are currently pending ASTM results, CMA can offer expedited concurrent field testing. If the products meet the disintegration requirements at the end of the testing cycle, you may then submit BPI certification or ASTM results showing that you have met the additional compostability specifications.

CMA will provide profile results, but acceptance letters are only provided after other certifications are met.

Cost:

$4,950 per test batch (up to 5 items)
$895 per each additional item

Kitchen Buckets and Collection Container Liners

Prerequisites for testing:

All items must meet ASTM D6400 standards, with lab reports supplied to verify.

Cost:

$1,750 per test batch (up to 3 bags)
$350 per each additional bag <10 gallons
$575 per each additional bag >10 gallons

Paper and Wood Items

Prerequisites for testing:

All inks, treatments, coatings and available certifications and/or FDA documentation for food contact must be provided. Field testing may be required based upon sample and documentation review.

Cost:

$375 per test batch (3 items)
$100 per each additional item <20 items total
$75 per each additional item >20 items total

Testing Processes

The CMA starts new testing trials every month, or when enough samples are collected to warrant a new round of testing. Testing takes place at CMA-affiliated facilities at locations around the country. Note: the CMA only offers testing in aerobic compost manufacturing facilities. Anaerobic digestion is a distinct technology from composting, and is not available for the CMA’s testing services.

The CMA utilizes a variety of field testing technologies and processes including: