BPI Certified Compostable Bags for the USA Market
Entering the USA market with compostable bags is not only a product decision. It is a compliance decision.
In the United States, the term “compostable” is strictly regulated. Claims, certifications, labeling, and even material formulation are closely reviewed by regulators, composting facilities, brand owners, and retailers. For B2B buyers, one compliance mistake can lead to product removal, legal risk, or loss of customer trust.
This page provides a clear overview of compostable bags for the USA market, including certification requirements, applicable standards, state regulations, and practical considerations for wholesale and OEM supply.
Why Compostable Bags for the USA Market Require Strict Compliance
In many countries, “biodegradable” and “compostable” are often used loosely. In the USA, this is not the case.
For compostable packaging, especially plastic and film bags, environmental claims must be supported by recognized standards and third-party certification. Most commercial composting systems in the United States rely on ASTM standards, and regulators actively monitor misleading environmental claims.
From our experience working with international buyers, the most common risks in the USA market include:
- Using “compostable” without a valid ASTM standard
- Mixing up biodegradable and compostable claims
- Ignoring state-level compostable packaging laws
- Assuming one certification guarantees nationwide acceptance
For this reason, BPI certified compostable bags for the USA market have become the baseline requirement for many distributors, brands, and municipal programs.
Compostable Bag Solutions for the USA Market
In the US market, compostable bags have a wide range of applications, including retail shopping, food waste collection, e-commerce packaging, apparel logistics, and pet waste disposal. Despite the diverse use cases, all compostable bags sold in the US must be evaluated against applicable ASTM standards, BPI certification requirements, state-level labeling regulations, and the acceptance criteria of actual composting facilities.
Specifically, shopping bags and garbage bags typically conform to ASTM D6400 standards, while some paper-based courier bags may conform to ASTM D6868 standards. Beyond certification, purchasers must also consider labeling regulations—especially in states like California—and understand that BPI certification only confirms product compliance with standards, but does not guarantee acceptance by all composting facilities. Therefore, compostable bag solutions for the US market should always be planned with a combination of compliance review, application assessment, and material performance considerations.
Compostable Shopping Bags for the USA
Retail & regulated plastic bag replacement programs
Compostable Trash & Food Waste Bags for the USA
Commercial and municipal composting systems.
Compostable Mailer Bags for the USA
E-commerce and logistics packaging applications.
USA State Regulations for Compostable Bags
Compostable bag compliance in the USA is not uniform across all states. While federal guidance exists, state-level regulations often define how environmental claims can be used.
California
California has some of the strictest compostable packaging laws in the USA. Regulations focus on:
- Truthful environmental marketing
- Clear differentiation between compostable and biodegradable
- Restrictions on unverified claims
For buyers selling into California, compliance review is not optional.
Washington State
Washington State requires compostable products, including bags, to meet recognized standards and often emphasizes third-party certification. Film-based compostable packaging is actively regulated.
Other States
New York and other states continue to strengthen oversight on environmental claims. While requirements may differ, the overall trend is clear: misleading compostable claims are increasingly challenged.
ASTM D6400 vs ASTM D6868: Which Standard Applies to Your Bags?
Engineered for Australian household and commercial use.
Understanding the difference between ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868 is essential for correct certification.
- ASTM D6400 applies mainly to plastic and film compostable bags, such as trash bags and shopping bags.
- ASTM D6868 applies to compostable coatings or laminations on paper or fiber-based products.
In practice, most BPI certified compostable bags for the USA market are tested against ASTM D6400. Selecting the wrong standard can delay certification and increase costs.
BPI Certification, Facility Acceptance, and Common Misunderstandings
Guidance based on council + EPA requirements.
One of the most common questions we hear from buyers is whether BPI certification guarantees acceptance everywhere in the USA.
The answer is no.
BPI certification confirms that a product meets ASTM compostability standards.
Facility acceptance depends on local composting infrastructure and processing conditions.
This distinction is often discussed in industry forums and operational discussions. A compliant product still needs to align with real-world composting systems
PFAS-Free and Material Safety Considerations for the USA Market
Material safety has become a growing concern in compostable packaging, especially in the USA.
Regulators, brands, and institutional buyers increasingly ask whether compostable bags are PFAS-free and suitable for sensitive applications, such as food contact.
Responsible compostable bag manufacturers now focus on:
- Material formulation transparency
- Chemical compliance documentation
- Supporting statements related to PFAS-free requirements, where applicable
Addressing material safety early helps reduce downstream risk for importers and brand owners.
Why Global Buyers ChooseORIZON for the USA Compostable Bags Market
We focus exclusively on B2B compostable bag manufacturing.
With over 16 years of manufacturing experience, a 20,000 m² production facility, and 16 fully automatic production lines, we support OEM and wholesale buyers supplying the USA market.
Our monthly capacity reaches 500 tons, and our products are exported to the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, South Korea, Peru, and other markets. We work with buyers who require compliance-ready compostable bags, not retail products.
Get a Compliance-Ready Quote for the USA Market
If you are sourcing BPI certified compostable bags for the USA market, compliance planning should come before volume planning.
We support buyers with technical guidance, documentation preparation, and manufacturing consistency for wholesale and OEM supply. For detailed product specifications, please refer to the individual application pages linked above.
FAQ
Biodegradable claims are highly restricted. Compostable claims supported by ASTM standards and third-party certification are preferred.
While not legally mandatory everywhere, BPI certification is widely required by buyers, composting facilities, and regulators.
BPI certification supports compliance, but state regulations and facility acceptance must still be considered.
