Session Details

Description

• The Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) is a compost manufacturer owned and operated third party certifier of compostable food service products. Since 2017, CMA has rapidly grown to be North America’s premier compostable products field research experts. This session will address the incorporation of compostables from a facility perspective, covering programs in New York City, Phoenix, Chicago, Seattle, Denver, and other major cities. A growing number of CMA affiliates field test and process compostable products that meet both lab and field disintegration standards. Learn about the genesis of field testing, the operational process steps for field trials, how to identify the best compostables for varying technologies, and CMA’s experience

• Susan Thoman, Managing Director, CMA - The genesis of the program, and how CMA connects the generators, haulers and processing facilities to field vetted compostables, Washington state labelling laws to address contamination that CMA supports and promotes, and trends/products we are seeing that will emerge in the marketplace. 
• Alex Thomas, Special Projects and Field Lead, CMA - The CMA testing process, field experiences, studies funded by packaging manufacturers, brands and large restaurant chains to address gaps between ASTM standards and field realities.
• Michael Nicholson, Senior Vice President, WeCare Denali - A composter’s perspective on compostables across multiple sites, challenges, and opportunities, WeCare tours and outreach activities to educate the supply chain on the realities of composting processes.

• Session