Compostable Packaging Resources & Guides
Welcome to the Pure Compostables resource library — a working set of in-depth guides written for the people who actually procure, evaluate, and switch to compostable packaging. You’ll find detailed certification breakdowns (BPI, TUV, EN 13432, ASTM D6400 and beyond), step-by-step playbooks for transitioning a business away from conventional plastics, and product selection guides covering bag sizes, materials, and use cases. Every article is written from the perspective of a manufacturer with thirteen years of operating experience — not a marketing team. Use the categories below to navigate by topic, or browse the most recent guides directly. If your question isn’t answered here, our team is happy to help — start with our wholesale page or send us a note via the contact page.
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How to Run a Staff Sustainability Survey That Actually Changes Operations
A field-tested playbook for running a staff sustainability survey at a foodservice or hospitality operation — question design, sampling, anonymity, the analysis pass, and turning answers into purchasing and ops decisions.
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Are Wax-Coated Papers Compostable?
Wax-coated papers — butcher paper, cheese wrapping, candy wrappers, some baking papers — are partially compostable depending on the wax. Natural wax coatings (beeswax, carnauba wax, soy wax) compost cleanly along with the paper. Petroleum-based paraffin wax doesn’t compost well; the paper portion breaks down but the wax persists as residue. Synthetic plastic coatings on…
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What’s the Hottest Temperature My Compost Should Reach?
The maximum useful compost temperature is around 160°F (71°C). Above this, the beneficial microbes that drive decomposition begin to die, and the pile loses biological activity. The optimal range is 130-160°F for fastest decomposition. Some piles reach 170°F or higher under specific conditions, which is too hot — the pile may go anaerobic, develop odors,…
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How to Read a Compostability Certification (And Spot Fakes): A Procurement Checklist for B2B Buyers in 2026
How to read BPI, TÜV, and EN 13432 compostability certifications, verify them in registries, spot the common fakes and misrepresentations, and document the verification per SKU for B2B compliance procurement files.
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Can I Compost Used Cat Litter?
Used cat litter is one of the most common questions in home composting — and one of the most carefully answered. The short answer: not for vegetable garden compost, and generally only for ornamental garden compost with specific precautions. The reason is Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite present in some cat feces that can survive standard…
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How a Tea Bag Spawned a Microplastic Lawsuit
A 2019 McGill University study found that single-use plastic tea bags release billions of microplastic particles into hot water during brewing — far more than other sources of microplastic exposure for typical tea drinkers. The findings sparked consumer concern, media coverage, and subsequent legal action against tea brands using plastic-mesh bags. Several class action lawsuits…
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A Compostable Mulch Mat for Strawberry Beds
Compostable mulch mats made from natural fibers — coir, jute, hemp, wool felt — are an alternative to plastic mulch for strawberry beds. They suppress weeds, retain moisture, warm soil, and compost into the bed as they break down. The mats last 1-3 seasons depending on material; by then strawberry plants are established and self-mulching…
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A Buyer’s Guide to Compostable Champagne Flutes for Picnics
Compostable champagne flutes for picnics solve a real problem: glass flutes break easily outdoors, plastic flutes look cheap and persist in landfills, and mason jars don’t capture the celebratory aesthetic. The compostable champagne flute category includes PLA clear flutes that look like crystal, bagasse molded flutes with natural appearance, and specialty bamboo flutes for premium…
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What Is Hot Compost and How Hot Should It Be?
Hot compost is the term for compost piles that reach thermophilic temperatures — 130°F (54°C) and above — during active decomposition. The heat comes from concentrated microbial activity in piles with the right materials, moisture, and size. Hot compost finishes faster than cold pile composting (14-30 days vs 6-12 months), kills weed seeds and most…
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Earth Day Yard Cleanups: Compostable Bag Brands
Earth Day yard cleanups across communities and households generate substantial green waste — fallen branches, accumulated leaves, weeds, and garden debris from neglected corners. A typical household Earth Day cleanup produces 100-300 lbs of organic material; community park cleanups can produce tons. Compostable yard waste bags handle this volume while ensuring the bags themselves don’t…
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Labor Day BBQ: Compostable Plate and Cup Coordination
Labor Day BBQs generate substantial single-use foodware waste — plates, cups, napkins, cutlery, condiment containers — across millions of American households. A typical 20-person Labor Day cookout produces 4-8 lbs of foodware waste. Compostable alternatives exist across the entire foodware mix, with cost premium of $5-25 over conventional plastic. Coordinating plates with cups and cutlery…
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8 Best Compostable Bags for Grocery Stores
Grocery stores use compostable bags for produce sections, deli pickups, bulk bin transfers, bakery purchases, and checkout. Different uses require different bag types: produce bags need to handle moist vegetables; deli bags need to handle hot or warm foods; bulk bags need durability for grain and dried goods; bakery bags need clean visual appearance. The…