ASTM D6400 Compostable Bags
ASTM D6400 compostable bags for importers, distributors, food-waste programs and private-label B2B projects.
Custom sizes, thicknesses, printing and packaging are available, with compliance documentation reviewed against the final product specification.
What ASTM D6400 Means for Compostable Bags
ASTM D6400 is a technical standard specification for labeling plastics and products made from plastics that are designed to be aerobically composted in municipal or industrial composting facilities.
For buyers, ASTM D6400 should be considered at the finished-product level. The bag being purchased—including its material, thickness and other components—should match the applicable test or certification documentation.
ASTM D6400 is a technical standard. It is not itself a product certification program. The current active edition is ASTM D6400-26. Buyers should confirm which edition or certification scheme is required for their specific project.
For a detailed explanation of the standard and its technical requirements, see our ASTM D6400 compostable standard guide.
For the current published edition and official scope, refer to ASTM International.
Typical use cases include:
- commercial food waste collection
- municipal organics programs
- industrial composting facilities
- hotels, restaurants, and institutional kitchens
ORIZON manufactures compostable bags for ASTM D6400-related B2B projects, including commercial organics, distributor and private-label programs.
ORIZON focuses on B2B bulk, OEM and private-label manufacturing rather than direct-to-consumer retail sales.
ASTM D6400-26 Current Edition
ASTM D6400 was updated in 2026, and ASTM D6400-26 is the current active edition published by ASTM International.
Because standards and certification schemes may be updated over time, B2B buyers should confirm the edition, certification program and product-specific documentation required for their project rather than relying on an older specification reference.
ASTM D6400 Compostable Bag Options
ORIZON manufactures compostable bag formats for commercial organics, food-waste collection and B2B distribution programs.
The product categories below describe manufacturing options and should not be interpreted as confirmation that every configuration has been independently tested or certified to ASTM D6400.
Available ASTM D6400-related test documentation or third-party certification coverage depends on the actual finished-product configuration.
| Product Type | Typical B2B Application | Custom Options |
|---|---|---|
| Compostable bin liners | Commercial organic-waste collection | Size, thickness, roll count |
| Food-waste bags | Restaurants, hotels and commercial kitchens | Dimensions, thickness, packing |
| Kitchen caddy liners | Food-scrap collection programs | Bag size, roll format, printing |
| Large bin liners | Facilities and waste contractors | Capacity, thickness, carton packing |
| Yard & green-waste bags | Lawn, leaf and organic-waste programs | Size, thickness, printing |
| Custom compostable bags | Distributor and private-label programs | Specification and packaging |
Available ASTM D6400-related test documentation or third-party certification coverage depends on the final product configuration.
A bag should not be described as ASTM D6400 compliant only because the manufacturer uses a compostable raw material.
Compostability and Bag Performance Are Separate Requirements
ASTM D6400 addresses compostability under specified municipal or industrial composting conditions. It does not by itself define the bag’s puncture resistance, wet-load capacity, seal strength or suitability for a specific waste application.
For B2B procurement, buyers should evaluate two separate questions:
1. Does the finished product meet the required compostability standard or certification scope?
2. Does the bag specification provide enough strength for the intended waste, handling and collection conditions?
Thickness, film formulation, dimensions, seal design and bag construction should therefore be reviewed separately from compostability documentation.
ASTM D6400 vs BPI Commercial Compostability Certification
ASTM D6400 and BPI are closely related, but they are not the same thing.
| ASTM D6400 | BPI Commercial Certification | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Technical standard specification | Third-party certification program |
Main role | Defines commercial compostability requirements | Verifies eligible finished products |
| Used for | Plastics designed for municipal or industrial composting | Commercially compostable certified products |
| Public product listing | No ASTM-certified product catalog | BPI Online Product Catalog |
| Certification mark | No ASTM product certification mark | BPI certification mark |
BPI uses ASTM D6400 as the base standard for assessment for products evaluated under its Commercial Compostability Certification Program. BPI certification also includes program-specific eligibility, testing and certification requirements beyond simply referencing ASTM D6400.
BPI also operates a separate Home Compostability Certification program, so commercial and home-compostability claims should not be treated as interchangeable.
So when a buyer asks for an “ASTM D6400 certificate,” it is important to clarify what documentation is actually required:
- an ASTM D6400-related test report
- third-party BPI certification
- an official BPI product listing
- or another certification required by the receiving program
For BPI-specific projects, see our BPI certified compostable bags.
What to Verify Before Placing an Order
A compostable bag can look correct on a quotation while still creating problems later if the certification, finished specification and end-of-life requirements are not aligned.
Before issuing a purchase order, confirm the following.
1. Verify the Finished Bag
Check whether the documentation applies to the finished bag being quoted, rather than only to the resin or raw material.
2. Match the Specification
Confirm that the agreed dimensions, thickness, structure, color and printing match the reviewed product configuration.
Changes in thickness, formulation, color, printing, additives or bag construction may affect whether an existing test or certification scope applies to the final product.
3. Confirm the Required Certification
Some projects may require ASTM D6400 test documentation, while others specifically require BPI certification or additional acceptance programs.
Confirm this before product development.
4. Check the End-of-Life Program
Ask the receiving municipality, waste contractor or composting facility which compostable liners and certifications it accepts.
ASTM D6400 compliance should not be treated as automatic acceptance by every commercial composting facility.
5. Document the Approved Product
Keep a clear record of the approved bag specification, packaging and artwork so repeat orders can be manufactured against the same reference.
Will the Composting Facility Accept the Bag?
This is one of the most important questions for ASTM D6400 compostable bag projects.
Meeting a compostability standard and being accepted by a specific composting facility are related, but they are not identical.
Commercial composters may operate different systems and may have different policies for compostable plastics.
Some programs accept BPI-certified liners. Others may require additional product approval or field-testing programs. Some facilities do not accept compostable plastic bags at all.
For municipal, food-waste or institutional projects, confirm the receiving composting system before selecting the bag and certification route.
| Step | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| 1 | End-of-life program |
| 2 | Accepted certification |
| 3 | Bag specification |
| 4 | Testing / certification scope |
| 5 | Sample approval |
| 6 | Mass production |
This sequence reduces the risk of finalizing the bag and packaging before confirming the receiving program’s requirements.
Documentation B2B Buyers Should Request
The right documentation depends on the project rather than on a standard checklist supplied with every shipment.
For procurement review, buyers may need:
| Document | What It Helps Verify |
|---|---|
| ASTM D6400-related test documentation | Identify the tested product or product configuration |
| BPI certification / listing | Third-party certification status |
| Third-party certificate / product listing number | Traceable certification reference, where applicable |
| Finished-product specification | Size, thickness and construction |
| TDS | Technical product information |
| Artwork approval | Final printed configuration |
| Batch information | Production traceability |
| Packing specification | Roll, carton and pallet configuration |
The information on the quotation, approved sample and compliance documents should describe the same product.
If they do not, ask the supplier to clarify the difference before placing the order.
From Sample Approval to Repeat Supply
Certification is only one part of a successful B2B program.
Importers and distributors also need future orders to match the product they originally approved.
For new projects, samples can be used to confirm:
- dimensions
- thickness
- film feel
- bag construction
- roll format
- printing
- packaging
After approval, the confirmed specification can become the production reference for repeat orders.
Standard customized production typically starts from approximately 500 kg per specification or design. The equivalent number of bags, rolls or packs varies according to bag dimensions, thickness, structure, colour, printing, roll configuration and packaging requirements. Product-specific trial quantities may differ.
B2B Compostable Bag Manufacturing
ORIZON manufactures compostable bags for importers, distributors, private-label brands and commercial waste programs.
Our manufacturing base includes:
- Manufacturing compostable bags since 2009
- Approx. 20,000 m² total manufacturing site in Qufu, Shandong, China
- 16 production lines
- Approx. 500 metric tons/month production capacity
- OEM, private-label and custom B2B production
For ASTM D6400-related projects, we can develop the bag around the required dimensions, thickness, material formulation, printing, roll format and packaging.
Standard customized production typically starts from approximately 500 kg per specification or design , depending on the final product configuration.
Compliance documentation should be reviewed against the final approved specification before mass production.
For production details and factory information, visit our compostable bag factory.
FAQ
No.
ASTM D6400 is a technical standard specification, while BPI operates a third-party compostability certification program.
BPI uses ASTM D6400 as the base standard for assessment under its Commercial Compostability Certification Program, but ASTM D6400 test documentation or a claim of conformity alone does not mean that a finished product is BPI certified.
Where BPI certification is required, buyers should verify the actual finished product or SKU in BPI’s current certification documentation and Online Product Catalog.
Compare the finished bag specification with the applicable test or certification documentation.
Check:
- Product type
- Material formulation
- Film thickness
- Bag construction
- Color
- Printing
- Relevant additives
- Certificate or listing number, where applicable
A raw-material certificate alone should not automatically be treated as proof that every finished bag made from that material meets the same ASTM D6400 or certification scope.
For custom projects, the final approved specification should be reviewed before mass production.
Yes, compostable bags can be customized, but the compliance impact should be reviewed before production.
Changes to thickness, material formulation, color, printing, additives or product construction may affect whether the new finished product still matches an existing tested or certified configuration.
Confirm the final bag specification before mass production rather than assuming that every customized version has the same compliance status.
No. ASTM D6400 defines requirements for plastics and plastic products intended for aerobic composting in municipal or industrial facilities, but individual composting facilities and organics programs decide which products they accept.
Acceptance may depend on the facility, collection program, certification requirements and local operating conditions.
For commercial organics projects, confirm the receiving facility's requirements before selecting the bag and certification route.
ASTM D6400 is intended for aerobic municipal and industrial composting conditions, not as a home-compostability standard.
If home compostability is required, buyers should request documentation or certification specifically intended for home-composting conditions rather than assuming that ASTM D6400 provides the same claim.
It depends on the buyer, market, composting program and receiving facility.
ASTM D6400 defines technical requirements for plastics and plastic products intended for municipal or industrial aerobic composting. Some projects may also require third-party product certification, an official product listing or additional acceptance by the receiving composting program.
For example, BPI provides third-party commercial compostability certification using ASTM D6400 as its base standard for eligible products. Other programs may have additional testing or acceptance requirements.
Before product development, ask the customer or receiving facility exactly what documentation, certification or listing is required.
Discuss Your ASTM D6400 Compostable Bag Project
Send us your bag type, dimensions, thickness, quantity, packaging and destination market.
If ASTM D6400 test documentation, BPI certification or a specific composting-program approval is required, include this before sampling. We can review the proposed specification and available compliance documentation before quotation.
B2B, OEM and private-label supply available.
