The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is an organization that promotes the use of biodegradable paper and plastics via composting. BPI certifies products that will biodegrade swiftly, safely and completely in large professionally managed composting facilities according to the standards set by ASTM International. BPI certification has become a de facto industry standard.  It is recognized by the leading North American commercial and municipal composters in the country including those in San Francisco, Seattle and Prince Edward Island.

Today, StalkMarket announced that its entire line of Ingeo PLA- and sugarcane-based products received BPI certification. You can read the official news release here. Our goal is to have every single one of our products BPI certified and we have already come very close to making that a reality. As a company that is committed to helping promote an environmentally responsible lifestyle, we have an obligation to our customers to provide them with the information they need to make an informed decision about the products they use.

The Biodegradable Products Institute is committed to helping ensure words like "biodegradable" and "compostable" maintain their meaning and value. This is something that is becoming harder and harder to do at a time when marketeers seem intent on exploiting words like these to the fullest.

Recently, BPI provided strong support for California state assemblypersons DeSaulier’s and Karnette’s labeling legislation to minimize misleading use of words like “biodegradable” and “degradable” on plastic bags and food service items. Testimony and letters written by BPI members became a critical component in the successful passage of two new state laws. 

The new laws, AB 1972 and AB 2071, place strict requirements on plastic products that may be labeled "compostable" and "biodegradable" and give local governments the authority to fine companies that do not comply with these guidelines.

We applaud the efforts of the BPI, the California legislature and all of the other groups and supporters that helped make these regulations a reality.

Buzz Chandler