Field Notes
Sustainable Foodservice Packaging Articles
Practical writing on compostable foodservice — standards, sourcing, and how real kitchens run low-waste programs.
Read the compostable packaging buyer's guide →
Standards
What Does ASTM D6400 Actually Mean for Compostable Packaging?
If a product is labeled compostable, ASTM D6400 is usually the reason. Here is what the standard tests, why BPI certification matters, and how to spot greenwashing.
Apr 12, 2026 · 6 min read
Sustainability
PFAS Free Foodservice Packaging: Why It Is Now the Baseline
By 2026, more than a dozen U.S. states restrict PFAS in foodware. Here is what changed, what to swap out, and how to verify a supplier's claims.
Mar 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Operations
How to Run a Zero Waste Event: A Practical Checklist
Zero waste does not happen because you bought compostable cups. It happens because your bins, signage, and hauler agreement all line up. Here is the playbook.
Feb 18, 2026 · 7 min read
Standards
Compostable vs Biodegradable vs Recyclable: The Real Differences
Compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable are not synonyms. Here is what each word promises, what it does not, and how to choose the right packaging for your program.
Jan 22, 2026 · 6 min read
Materials
Sugarcane Bagasse: How a Sugar Mill Byproduct Became Better Packaging
Bagasse plates and bowls are made from what used to be waste. Here is how the material is produced, why it holds up to hot food, and where it composts.
Jan 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Materials
PLA Cold Cups: Plant Based Plastic Without the Petroleum
PLA is the clear compostable plastic behind most eco branded iced coffee cups. Here is what it is made from, how it composts, and its temperature limits.
Dec 14, 2025 · 5 min read
Operations
The Real Cost of Compostable Packaging: A Buyer's Breakdown
Sticker price is not the same as landed cost. Here is how to model waste hauling, brand value, and compliance risk into a real switching decision.
Nov 19, 2025 · 6 min read
Operations
A Restaurant Owner's Guide to Switching to Compostable Packaging
You do not need to swap every SKU overnight. Here is a phased 30 day plan restaurants can follow to make the switch without stockouts, cost surprises, or staff confusion.
Oct 30, 2025 · 7 min read
Marketing
SEO Fundamentals for Sustainable Brands
Search engines reward specificity. If your homepage says you are eco friendly, so does every competitor. Here is how to write for search without sounding like a robot.
Oct 5, 2025 · 6 min read
Operations
Compostable Packaging for School Cafeterias: What Actually Works
School lunch is the toughest test for any disposable. High volume, low margin, and thousands of little critics. Here is what tends to hold up.
Sep 16, 2025 · 6 min read
Operations
The Coffee Shop Owner's Guide to Eco Packaging
Coffee is the most packaging heavy category in food. Every drink is a cup, a lid, sometimes a sleeve, and sometimes a stirrer. Here is how to make each piece count.
Aug 27, 2025 · 6 min read
Sustainability
How Commercial Composting Facilities Actually Work
Compostable packaging only matters if a real facility processes it. Here is how modern commercial composting works and why it takes 60 to 180 days.
Aug 4, 2025 · 6 min read
Wholesale
A Wholesale Buyer's Guide to Compostable Packaging
Buying compostable packaging at wholesale is a different sport than buying a single case. Here is the checklist we send to every new wholesale account.
Jul 11, 2025 · 6 min read
Standards
Compostable vs Recyclable Cups: Which Should Your Cafe Choose?
Both compostable and recyclable cups can be the right answer. The decision depends on what your local hauler will actually accept.
Jun 24, 2025 · 5 min read
Wholesale
10 Questions to Ask a Compostable Packaging Supplier
Not every distributor selling eco packaging actually knows the supply chain behind it. Here are ten questions that surface the real answers.
May 30, 2025 · 5 min read