CMA’s Plastic Elimination Strategy
Addition of Paper Produce Stickers CMA strives to create a lane for innovation while acknowledging practical realities of the state of product development and the market. In this spirit, CMA accepts some compostable products that do not fit the laboratory definition of compostable. These products are those that composters have traditionally accepted (like paper napkins) […]
Why CMA is Seen as a Disruptor
Janet L. Thoman, Compliance Director USCC’s Compost 2023 was full of excellent information, innovation, old friends and new. But my favorite moment, by far, was A1 Organics’ Bob Yost, upon receiving the Hi Kellogg Award, closing his remarks with, “It is not about you.” He’s right. It’s not about me. Or you. Or any individual […]
Washington Legislative Update
Washington’s 2023 Legislative session is racing to the finish line. With less than 6 weeks until the end of the session, many compost and recycling focused bills have faltered, but several significant bills are still in play. The deadline for all bills to pass out of their house of origin was March 8, 2023. Any […]
Food Waste + Compostables
There’s nothing more comforting than the smell of a 3-hour roast warming first the house as it cooks, then the family table, and then your belly. Food holds one of the most unique placeholders in society; we need it to survive, to thrive; we share it with others in difficult times and moments of celebration; […]
PFAS: The Importance of Testing Methods
Kelvin Okamoto, Ph.D. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a broad class of chemicals of which many have been found to have adverse human health effects and/or to be environmentally persistent. Common materials such as Teflon™ polymers and coatings, Gore-Tex fabric and Scotchgard stain resistant chemicals are PFAS. In packaging, PFAS have many uses including in pulp […]
The Upstream Challenge to Make Compostables Work at Public Events
By Susan Thoman Certified compostable product options can significantly drive increases in food waste diversion within large venues and events when employed properly and within a well- developed system of procurement, education, and collection. However, more compost manufacturers are refusing loads from venues due to the overall contamination of non-compostable look-alikes, a lack of scrutiny […]
Sustainable Holidays
Holiday season is upon us in all its wonder, family tidings, and larger-than-normal consumption habits. It has been estimated that household waste increases over 25% during the holidays. Looking to maximize the joy and minimize your impact? Here are some tips to try out to have a more sustainable and eco-friendlier holiday season. Get full use out of your foods. Use leftovers for new and creative dishes. Share extras […]
The Evolution of Compost Manufacturing and Compostables
I grew up in a large family, and for us, composting in our backyard was part of daily life. My mother was raised on seven acres, and the family lived off the land, grew their own food, and composted all the valuable twigs, leaves, food scraps and eggshells they accumulated. The compost went to mulch the garden, feed […]
CMA Completes Cedar Grove’s 100th Field Test!
In August 2021, CMA concluded an historic 100th field test at Cedar Grove Composting’s Seattle area facility. Cedar Grove initiated field testing in 2007 when food scrap collection programs launched residentially and commercially throughout western Washington. After approving certified compostable food service items into their program, Cedar Grove found that a significant volume (meeting ASTM […]
CMA Team Member wins ASTM Scholarship
Alex Thomas, field and special projects lead for the Compost Manufacturing Alliance, and Graduate Research Fellow at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, was just awarded the American Standards and Testing Methods (ASTM) International Graduate Scholarship award. In his work at Stevens Point and CMA, Alex has been actively involved in ASTM, and he chairs […]
