Passing Cedar Grove’s compostable testing or substrate review process is evidence that the material meets the FTC Green Guide on compostability (16 CFR § 260.7) for modern commercial composting facilities. Please ensure that your representations about your products comply with all aspects of the FTC guidelines.
As cities, businesses and residents strive for zero waste, the use of compostable food service ware is increasing. Cedar Grove works to support these programs while maintaining our high standard of compost quality. To accomplish both, Cedar Grove Composting offers a program of technical review and testing for compostable products to determine their feasibility in our commercial composting process. Items submitted for Cedar Grove approval include bags, utensils, plates, bowls, clamshells, wrap and more. As new products are developed to meet market demand, Cedar Grove provides the expertise to determine how well the products will break down in its state-of-the art composting system. To find out more, please contact: cgtesting@cgcompost.com
The testing on an item and an indication of acceptance does NOT authorize ANY use of any of our logos, trademarks, trade names, letterhead or company name on such item, on the packaging of such item, or in the marketing of such item. Any such uses can be authorized, at our discretion, only pursuant to a formal written license agreement through Cedar Grove Packaging ® LLC. Please see the Cedar Grove Trademark Use Categories.
- You must be the manufacturer*
- Items must be related to food service or yard waste
- Guidlines below must be followed
- Include three (3) to five (5) samples for each item submitted with a Identification Number written on at least one of the items
- A minimum fee of $2750.00 will be charged for up to ten (10) food service items submitted for testing.
- A minimum fee of $750.00 will be charged for up to three (3) compostable bag liner(s) submitted for testing.
- Please inquire for fees associated with food service items submitted for technical analysis.** (Items that are not required to meet criteria for ASTM D6400, D6868 or BPI certification due to substrate [ex: wood stir sticks, paper napkins, etc.])
Standard Testing:
Items that meet requirements for ASTM D6400 or EN 13432 testing: (EX. Bio-Plastics, Co-polymers)
- Fill out the attached profile for all groups of items submitted. Please print out profile and sign. Profiles can be sent via email in pdf file format to cgtesting@cgcompost.com.
- Include BPI certification or ASTM lab results on finished product***
- ASTM lab results must include:
- Heavy Metals Analysis
- Spectral Analysis
- Phytoxicity
- Degradation (where applicable)
- ASTM lab results must include:
Items that meet requirements for ASTM D6868 testing: (EX. Plastics used as coatings on compostable substrates, fibrous materials)
- Fill out the attached profile for all groups of items submitted. Please print out profile and sign. Profiles can be sent via email in pdf file format to cgtesting@cgcompost.com.
- Include BPI certification or ASTM lab results on finished product*3
- ASTM lab results must include:
- Heavy Metals Analysis
- Spectral Analysis
- Phytoxicity
- Degradation (where applicable)
- ASTM lab results must include:
Items that do not require ASTM testing
- Fill out the attached profile for all groups of items submitted. Please print out profile and sign. Profiles can be sent via email in pdf file format to cgtesting@cgcompost.com.
- Send MSDS on any inks, coatings, or treatments
- If MSDS reports show hazardous properties also send FDA approval for direct food contact.
Other Testing Services:
Pre-ASTM Product Testing
If you have specific products currently pending ASTM results, Cedar Grove is now offering expedited and concurrent field testing. If the product(s) meet the disintegration requirements at the end of the testing cycle, you may then submit ASTM results to Cedar Grove (when available) showing that you have met the additional compostability specifications. With confirmation of ASTM results and Cedar Grove’s disintegration testing, you would then receive Cedar Grove acceptance and inclusion on the published list.
Cost: $3,475.00 (up to 5 samples or protoypes; each addl., $695.00)
Note- All testing fees must be paid at time of submission.
Includes:
Field testing
Pass/fail report
Official confirmation/denial of Cedar Grove acceptance
General Product and Substrate Research Testing*
Research testing is designed to test a variety of products or prototypes that may have slight differences in composition. You can run up to five different substrates, components or specific items and product prototypes per testing batch.
Cost: $3,800.00 (up to 5 samples or protoypes; each addl., $760.00)
Includes:
Field testing
Detailed written report with information on the variable and comparative breakdown of each “recipe”/prototype sample
Optional one hour debrief/report review
*This test can also be done as a preliminary ASTM disintegration test.
All documentation from these test results must accompany samples and/or be tied by Identification Number and submitted electronically.
Send samples and all documentation to the following address:
Cedar Grove Composting
ATTN: Compostables Testing Department
7343 E. Marginal Way So.
Seattle, WA 98108
Testing trials will begin the third month of every quarter or when enough samples to constitute a testing round are received. (Cedar Grove reserves the right to exclude April and/or May if processing priorities warrant it). All required items and documentation must be received by the first business day of the third month of each quarter to be submitted in that quarter's testing round. Protocols and requirements may change at our discretion.
Please e-mail any questions or comments you may have to: cgtesting@cgcompost.com
We strive to answer all questions in a timely and professional manner.
* - To avoid repeated testing of the same products, and to ensure the accuracy of the information submitted, Cedar Grove Composting requires that the manufacturer completes the profile form. If a private label company would like to submit information for testing of products, the submission must be accompanied with a letter from the manufacturer stating that the information provided on the profile form is true and correct and gives authorization for all testing information to be provided to said company.
** - After technical review, items may need to be tested, and the fee of $2,750 dollars will apply. You will be contacted for authorization prior to testing.
*** - Some exceptions may apply. Contact cgtesting@cgcompost.com.
The testing on an item and an indication of acceptance does NOT authorize ANY use of any of our logos, trademarks, trade names, letterhead or company name on such item, on the packaging of such item, or in the marketing of such item. Any such uses can be authorized, at our discretion, only pursuant to a formal written license agreement through Cedar Grove Packaging LLC. Please see the Cedar Grove Trademark Use Categories.