What Is BPI Certified Compostable?
BPI — the Biodegradable Products Institute — is North America's leading certifier of commercially compostable products. When you see the BPI logo on a cup, plate, or bag, it means an independent lab has verified that the product fully breaks down in a commercial composting facility within a defined timeframe, with no toxic residue.
Why BPI certification matters
"Biodegradable" and "eco-friendly" are unregulated marketing terms — a plastic bag labeled "biodegradable" might take 20 years to break down and leave microplastics behind. BPI's certification is based on ASTM D6400 and D6868, the strictest scientific standards for compostability in commercial facilities. Products carrying the BPI logo:
- Disintegrate within 84 days in industrial composting conditions
- Biodegrade within 180 days into water, CO₂, and biomass
- Leave no heavy metals or PFAS contamination behind
- Support healthy plant growth in the resulting compost
BPI is not the same as "home compostable"
BPI-certified products are designed for commercial composting facilities — large-scale operations that maintain high temperatures, moisture, and microbial activity. They will not break down properly in a backyard pile. If your area lacks commercial composting access, look for products labeled specifically as "home compostable."
Brands Zwai carries with BPI certification
Every product in the Zwai catalog is BPI-certified. Our top brands:
- Eco-Products — full range of compostable cups, cutlery, and containers
- Forever Free — CompostitALL's house brand of bamboo & bagasse products
- Fabri-Kal — Greenware® PLA clear cold cups & lids
- Natur-Bag — certified compostable can liners
- Better Earth — single-wall hot cups & lids
