Quick answer: BPI certification means a product passed independent lab testing to ASTM D6400 (compostable plastics) or ASTM D6868 (compostable coatings on paper and fiber), verified by the Biodegradable Products Institute. It shows the item breaks down in commercial or municipal composting, not in a backyard pile or landfill. Use it to back up claims, and qualify them when composting isn't available locally.
Key takeaways
- BPI = third-party verification, not a supplier's own claim.
- The underlying standards are ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868.
- Certified items need commercial composting to deliver their benefit.
- Keep certificates on file and word claims carefully.
What BPI is
The Biodegradable Products Institute runs North America's best-known compostable products certification program. Its mark on a cup, lid, bag or container tells composters and customers that the item has been tested, not just marketed as "eco-friendly."
The standards behind the logo
According to BPI's program materials, certification requires that products be tested at independent labs against ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868:
| Standard | Covers | Coffee shop examples |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM D6400 | Plastics designed to compost in municipal or industrial facilities | PLA cold cups, PLA lids, compostable straws |
| ASTM D6868 | Compostable plastic coatings or layers on paper or fiber | PLA-lined hot cups, coated pastry boxes |
These are pass/fail standards designed to mimic well-run commercial composting conditions.
What BPI certification does not mean
- It doesn't mean home compostable. Backyard piles rarely reach the heat and consistency of commercial facilities.
- It doesn't mean recyclable. Compostable plastics can contaminate recycling.
- It doesn't mean every composter accepts it. Some facilities don't take packaging at all.
- It doesn't make broad "green" claims safe. The FTC's Green Guides still expect you to qualify compostable claims when facilities aren't available to most of your customers.
How to verify a product's certification
- Ask your supplier for the BPI certificate or listing for the exact product (size, color and lid included).
- Check the product itself for the BPI mark and certification number.
- Confirm local acceptance. Use a directory like FindAComposter.com or call your hauler to see whether certified packaging is accepted.
- Keep records. If an inspector, customer or reporter asks, you have the paperwork.
How to talk about certified products
| Instead of | Say |
|---|---|
| "Compostable cups!" | "Certified compostable (BPI) in commercial facilities. Not for home composting." |
| "Eco-friendly packaging" | "Our cold cups are BPI certified; please use our compost bin." |
For the bigger picture, including when recyclable cups may be the better choice, read our compostable vs. recyclable guide.
Choose certified packaging with confidence
Affogato Bean can supply branded cups, lids and pastry packaging with documented certifications where you need them, and help you word your message accurately. See products or talk to us.
General information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does BPI certified compostable mean?
It means the Biodegradable Products Institute verified that the product passed independent lab testing to ASTM D6400 (for plastics) or ASTM D6868 (for compostable coatings on paper or fiber), the standards for breaking down in commercial or municipal composting facilities.
Can BPI certified cups be composted at home?
Not necessarily. BPI certification is designed around commercial or municipal composting conditions, which are hotter and more controlled than most backyard piles. Don't describe a commercially compostable cup as home compostable.
Are BPI certified cups recyclable?
Generally no. Compostable cups and lids are designed for composting, and compostable plastics like PLA can contaminate recycling streams.
Sources
- Biodegradable Products Institute / NSF, “BPI Compostable Products Certification Program (white paper).”
- BPI, “Biodegradable Products Institute.”
- eCFR / Federal Trade Commission, “16 CFR Part 260 — Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims.”
- BioCycle, “Find A Composter Is Live Again.”
Sources checked October 2026. Statistics are reported as published by each source.