Chair, Business-NGO Working Group
Research Director, Clean Production Action
P.O. Box 153
Spring Brook, NY 14140
781.391.6743
mark@cleanproduction.org
In 2009, the Business-NGO Working Group and the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative (SBC) released the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Specifications for Compostable Biobased Food Service Ware -- or "BioSpecs." The BioSpecs provides a framework for buyers
to assess the sustainability of compostable biobased food service ware
products during three stages of their life cycle: (1) biomass
production, (2) manufacturing, and (3) end of product life. By
achieving selected criteria in each stage of the cycle, manufacturers
can claim recognition for their products at the Bronze, Silver and Gold
levels. The Gold level is reserved for the highest level of
performance.
The BioSpecs evolved from the SBC’s Sustainable Bioplastic Guidelines, HCWH’s Choosing Environmentally Preferable Food Service Ware (.pdf) factsheet, and the Business-NGO Working Group’s cover letter and survey, which was sent to over 30 producers of manufacturers of biobased food service ware products.
The BioSpecs are available on the SBC website,
www.SustainableBiomaterials.org.