Grants from Closed Loop Partners to accelerate recovery of compostable packaging across the U.S.

The Composting Consortium, managed by Closed Loop Partners' Center for the Circular Economy, has selected municipal and compost producer-led projects across the U.S. that will receive grant funding to advance composting infrastructure and the recovery of food-contact compostable packaging.​

This project has been made possible through the Consortium's leadership and funding partnership with Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), North America's leading authority on compostability, with technical support from the US Composting Council (USCC), which is dedicated to the development, expansion, and promotion of the compost manufacturing industry. Together, the organizations are working to scale circular outcomes for certified compostable packaging and food scraps across the country, amidst growing industry and consumer demand to reduce food and packaging waste sent to disposal.

A diverse set of eight projects was selected for the funding opportunity — from municipal efforts expanding composting access and education, to infrastructure upgrades at compost facilities that increase regional processing capacity. The grants arrive at a pivotal moment, driving continued momentum for food waste diversion.

​Scalable models for compost packaging recovery and community engagement

1. Expanding access to organic collections across the U.S.

These projects focus on increasing equitable access to composting infrastructure and services, particularly focused on areas or populations that have historically lacked them.

• Washtenaw County, MI - Piloting 2-3 drop-off sites to serve households without access to curbside food waste collection, with the potential to divert up to 45,000 pounds of food waste and compostable packaging.
• City of Takoma Park, MD - Installing organics collection infrastructure in low-income multifamily housing, paired with outreach and data collection to inform citywide expansion.
• Rubber City Reuse (Northeast Ohio) - Launching 15 organics drop-off sites across four counties, serving up to 1.2 million residents.

2. Increasing circular outcomes of compostable packaging

These projects are increasing the ability of compost facilities to accept and process certified compostable packaging, a critical step in keeping materials out of landfill and transitioning to a more circular economy.

• Compost Colorado (Denver, CO) - Doubles processing capacity at the only front-range compost producer in Colorado that accepts compostable packaging.
• Veteran Compost (Alexandria, VA) - Installs new infrastructure to double processing capacity to 2 million pounds per year.
• Bennett Compost (Philadelphia, PA) - Updates site to begin accepting certified food-contact compostable packaging for the first time at their Lawncrest facility, serving as a model for other smaller-scale facilities in the region.
• Skagit Soils (Mount Vernon, WA) - Adds new equipment to prepare for increased volumes of food waste and compostable packaging in response to upcoming state legislation.

3. Strengthening Composting Programs Through Improved Education and Community Engagement

This grant project emphasizes education, storytelling, and community engagement to maximize certified compostable packaging diversion and create high-quality finished compost that can be used to enhance local soils.

• City of Modesto, CA - Updates and enhances the City's educational, outreach, and marketing materials to bring clarity and consistency to the community—highlighting certified compostable packaging as a key part of successful composting programs.

​Scaling solutions with collaborative efforts ​

Following the deployment of these grants, the Composting Consortium will continue to test, validate, and scale solutions across the compostable packaging value chain, from field testing and labeling to infrastructure development and end-market engagement. Together with BPI and USCC, the Consortium is accelerating the transition to a circular economy for organics, where compostable materials are recovered on a large scale and returned to the soil as valuable resources.

"The deployment of these grant dollars is a critical part of Closed Loop Partners' Center for the Circular Economy's broader work to develop local circular systems," said Kate Daly, managing partner and head of Closed Loop Partners' Center for the Circular Economy. "Our partnership with BPI and USCC on this inaugural grant program showcases the power of industry leadership and collaboration to deliver outsized impact, accelerate infrastructure upgrades, and advance food waste and compostable packaging diversion goals."​

"This grant program is more than just funding. It's about building a foundation for a circular bioeconomy that works in practice and eventually at scale," said Rhodes Yepsen, executive director of BPI. "Each project helps fulfill the value proposition of compostable packaging, transforming food scraps and food-contact compostables from everyday waste into a valuable soil amendment, creating good green jobs, and fostering resilient, thriving communities."

"USCC is excited to have provided technical support to a grant program that delivers real, on-the-ground impact and infrastructure building for the small businesses and local governments powering circular organics systems across the U.S.," said Linda Norris-Waldt, executive director of USCC. "The innovation and ingenuity we saw in the applications and selected projects make one thing clear: the composting industry is ready to grow—and targeted funding can unlock transformative change."