Tell the NOSB to Vote No on Synthetic Compostable Products
This fall, the National Organic Standards Board will be voting on a proposal to allow synthetic compostable products (e.g. bioplastic packaging materials, utensils, plates, bags, etc.) to be used as a feedstock in organic compost.
NOC urges the organic community to oppose the inclusion of these materials as a feedstock in organic compost. NOC supports the NOSB Crops Subcommittee recommendation and urges NOSB members to reject the petition to allow synthetic compostable polymers in organic compost.
Please submit comments to the NOSB on this topic using the talking points below. You can submit your comments via the federal register here: https://www.regulations.gov/document/AMS-NOP-25-0034-0001
Voting no on these materials is essential to protect the integrity of organic food and farming. Here’s why:
· Human health risks: Compostable plastics introduce microplastics, PFAS, and undisclosed additives that persist, accumulate in soils, move into food chains, and are linked to inflammatory, cardiovascular, and microbiome effects.
· PFAS reality: Compost streams that include compostable food packaging show significantly higher PFAS levels; limits (where they exist) are voluntary and inconsistently met.
· Soil & ecosystem harm: Micro/nanoplastics alter soil microbial communities, weaken soil aggregation, and carry hazardous chemicals—contrary to organic’s requirement to maintain or improve soil health.
· Not essential: High-quality organic compost is already produced from plant/animal inputs and currently listed materials; there’s no demonstrated need to add synthetics.
· Operationally unworkable: Composters cannot reliably distinguish “compostable” plastics from prohibited plastics; many report they already remove all plastics to keep feedstocks clean.
· ASTM standards can’t assure safety: The cited ASTM “compostability” specs measure disintegration, not full biodegradation, allow up to 10% >2 mm residues and ≤5% unproven constituents, and include no contaminant controls; they’re voluntary and revised outside the organic process.
· Protect organic integrity: Outsourcing assurance to third-party labels or external standards conflicts with NOP practice and risks back-door changes beyond OFPA/NOP oversight.
· Net effect: Adds contamination risk, complicates enforcement, erodes consumer trust, and offers no clear benefit to organic producers.
NOC’s Recommendation: Uphold the Crops Subcommittee finding and reject the petition to allow synthetic compostable polymers in organic compost.
Process point: NOC strongly concurs with the NOSB’s position that all synthetic materials proposed for inclusion in organic must be added to the National List via a 2/3 vote by the NOSB, followed by notice and comment rulemaking by USDA prior to being included in compost used on organic farms.
Synthetic compostable products should not be allowed in organic compost.
Please submit comments to the NOSB on this topic using the above talking points. You can submit your comments via the federal register here: https://www.regulations.gov/document/AMS-NOP-25-0034-0001
**NOTE: the government shutdown may impact the fall National Organic Standards Board meeting and the public comment period. See below for some information about the status of the meeting based on when the government shutdown ends. Despite this uncertainty, it is still very important for you to submit comments on this topic via the federal register. Once the NOSB work resumes, the NOSB will be reviewing and taking those public comments into account when they vote on this issue. As of now, the federal register is still open for public comments.
National Organic Standards Board
Fall 2025 Meeting Update
The USDA Lapse in Appropriations Plan lists the National Organic Program (NOP) as an activity that does not operate during a shutdown. As such, NOP staff are currently furloughed.
The National Organic Standards Board (Board) Fall meeting is scheduled for November 4-6, 2025, in Omaha, NE. For planning purposes, please note the following:
· If NOP staff return by opening of business (9 am Eastern) on October 16, 2025, the Board meeting will take place in-person in Omaha, NE. The meeting and the public comment webinars will also be livestreamed.
· If NOP staff return after opening of business October 16 and before opening of business (9 am Eastern) October 22, 2025, the meeting and public comment webinars will take place virtually.
· If NOP staff do not return by opening of business (9 am Eastern) October 22, 2025, the NOSB Fall meeting and public comment webinars will be canceled.
Information about the meeting is on the NOSB Fall 2025 Meeting webpage.