Composting Next-Generation Compostables: Designing for Decomposition

Designing for decomposition is not just a design philosophy, it is also a systems solution. It is how we move from compliance to circularity, and from good intentions to measurable environmental progress.

Michelle Horneff-Cohen

Across the country, composting programs are expanding at a pace never seen before. Cities large and small, from San Francisco to Denver to New York, are embracing organics diversion as a cornerstone of waste reduction and climate action. But while infrastructure and mandates get the spotlight, a quieter revolution is underway in design: how we build the tools and materials that make composting possible in everyday life.

At the heart of this movement is a simple idea: design for decomposition. This means creating products and packaging that truly belong in compost systems, items that will break down completely and safely, supporting circular economies instead of complicating them. It is about more than labeling something “compostable.” It is about rethinking how materials, form, and function interact from the kitchen counter to the compost facility.

Rethinking the System: Why Design Matters

Composting does not start at the truck or the facility, it starts at the source. The tools residents use every day determine whether organics programs succeed or fail. If a collection container leaks, smells, or confuses residents, participation drops. If packaging includes mixed materials, plastic coatings, or synthetic labels, composters must remove contaminants, driving up costs and reducing output quality. The consequences ripple through the entire system.

Design, therefore, is not cosmetic. It is foundational. It determines how cleanly we can collect organics, how well those organics break down, and whether compost remains a trusted, marketable product. When compostable packaging or bins are designed as part of the system, not as an afterthought, they support everything downstream: collection, processing, and contamination control.

From Label-Less to Limitless Innovation

One of the most promising developments in sustainable packaging is the rise of label-less compostable containers. Labels, adhesives, and inks might seem insignificant, but they frequently introduce non-compostable elements that disrupt decomposition and degrade compost quality.

Forward-thinking manufacturers are reimagining how to communicate brand identity and disposal information without traditional labels. Some notable strategies include:

• Laser Etching and Embossing: These allow information like brand names or composting certifications, to be permanently marked into the surface of the material. No adhesives, no ink, and nothing left behind in the compost pile.
• Direct Compostable Printing: Using soy-based or water-based inks printed directly onto pulp or bioplastic surfaces ensures everything remains compostable.
• Color and Texture Branding: Companies can leverage the natural characteristics of their materials, matte finishes, fiber texture, or tinted hues, to establish brand recognition without added components.

This movement is not just about aesthetics, it is also about integrity. Every unnecessary element removed from packaging reduces contamination risk and improves system performance.

Designing with Policy in Mind

Legislation is catching up to design innovation. Policies like California’s SB 1383, Maine’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, and PFAS bans across multiple states are forcing producers to rethink material use and waste accountability. Designing for decomposition aligns perfectly with these evolving frameworks:

• SB 1383 mandates organics diversion at scale, demanding clean, compostable inputs. Label-less and PFAS-free materials help cities meet contamination thresholds more easily.
• PFAS restrictions push packaging away from “forever chemicals,” encouraging bio-based and pre-consumer pulp alternatives that are naturally safer.
• EPR laws make manufacturers financially responsible for end-of-life outcomes, rewarding designs that minimize waste and maximize recyclability or compostability.

By anticipating regulation through better design, companies position themselves ahead of compliance curves. And for municipalities, these designs mean cleaner streams and reduced processing costs, turning legislation into opportunity.

Material Integrity: The Foundation of Compostable Design

Every compostable product begins with a material decision. The goal is simple: create something durable enough for use, but decomposable enough for life after use. Examples include:

• Bio-based Plastics (PLA, PHA): Derived from renewable feedstocks like corn or sugarcane, these materials are compostable under industrial conditions. PHA’s growing advantage is its biodegradability in both soil and marine environments.
• Paper and Pulp: Naturally compostable, PFAS-free pulp has become the leading alternative for rigid, leak-resistant containers. It supports direct printing and laser etching, enabling clear communication without contaminating finishes.
• Cellulose Films: These transparent, wood-based films are compostable and ideal for flexible packaging. Their use eliminates the plastic layers commonly used to preserve freshness. 

Material innovation is also happening upstream. Researchers are exploring agricultural byproducts like almond hulls, rice bran, and sugarcane fiber as renewable fillers for bioplastics. Each innovation moves us closer to a world where what we make never becomes waste.

Bridging Design and Behavior

Even the best infrastructure fails without public participation. Composting succeeds when residents understand the “why” and “how,” and when the tools make it easy to do the right thing. Design plays a psychological role here. Clean, well-fitting containers remove the “ick factor.” Clear, label-free messaging removes confusion. And minimalist, attractive designs encourage daily use in kitchens rather than garages or patios.

In property management, we have seen this firsthand: the more user-friendly and intuitive the system, the higher the participation and the cleaner the bins. Composting stops being a chore and becomes a habit. That behavioral link between design and success is why “designing for decomposition” is more than an environmental principle, it is a human-centered strategy.

The Circular Economy Connection

Designing for decomposition is inherently circular. When a compostable container breaks down cleanly, it closes a natural loop:

1. Raw material becomes a product
2. The product carries food or waste
3. Both product and contents return to the soil as nutrients

Each cycle restores what it took, replacing extraction with regeneration. Cities adopting composting as part of their climate action plans can benefit from this circular design thinking. Cleaner compost means stronger soil health, reduced methane emissions, and a more resilient local food system.

The Future of Compostable Design

The next decade will redefine what “compostable” means. It will no longer be enough for materials to pass lab tests; they will need to perform in real municipal systems, under real community behavior.

Innovation will continue to center on simplicity, transparency, and compatibility, from products like PFAS-free paper pulp containers with lids, to large-scale packaging redesigns that eliminate labels, plastics, and PFAS entirely.

Ultimately, designing for decomposition is not just a design philosophy, it is also a systems solution. It is how we move from compliance to circularity, and from good intentions to measurable environmental progress.

Michelle Horneff-Cohen is the Founder of Clean Composting Company and Creator of The Compost Collector®. With a passion for sustainable living and over 25 years of experience in residential property management, Michelle saw, first-hand, the need to tackle inefficiencies in organic waste management. Driven by her vision for a cleaner, greener future, she leads the company in developing innovative, sustainable solutions that empower communities to compost with ease and confidence. For more information or bulk pricing options, contact Michelle at (415) 269-8803 or e-mail michelle@cleancomposting.com. To order The Compost Collector®, visit www.cleancomposting.com.

References 

·       Clean Composting Company | Home of The Compost Collector®. (n.d.). Clean Composting Company. https://cleancomposting.com/

·       Agrinextcon. (2024, July 3). 10 Groundbreaking Sustainable Packaging Innovations revealed! AgriNext Awards & Conference. https://agrinextcon.com/10-groundbreaking-sustainable-packaging-innovation/

·       Printing for Less. (2022, October 31). What is Embossing and Debossing? | Printing for Less. https://www.printingforless.com/resources/what-is-embossing-or-debossing/

·       Grounded Packaging | Composting & Compostable Packaging: An Overview. (n.d.). https://www.groundedpackaging.co/blog/composting-compostable-packaging-an-overview

·       Hadjiosif, S. (2023, December 29). Eco-Friendly Labels and Inks: Enhancing sustainable packaging. Terra Movement. https://www.terramovement.com/eco-friendly-labels-and-inks-enhancing-sustainable-packaging/

·       Joseph A Schlossberg, VP of global sales for Sourcing Solutions International. (2023, November 8). The evolution of clean packaging. https://www.designnews.com/automation/the-evolution-of-clean-packaging

·       Pinkerton, D. (2020, October 21). Labeling guidelines for compostable products and packaging | BioCycle. BioCycle. https://www.biocycle.net/labeling-guidelines-for-compostable-products-and-packaging/

A Case Study in Simplicity: The Compost Collector®

At Clean Composting Company, they wanted to solve a practical problem: composting felt messy, confusing, and unappealing for many households, especially in multifamily settings.

The result was The Compost Collector®, a 100 percent pre-consumer, PFAS-free paper pulp container with lid. Designed to fit seamlessly on the counter, it makes composting as natural as taking out the trash, without leaks, liners, or plastic.

Every element of The Compost Collector® was designed for decomposition. Its structure, printing, and finishes are all compostable, ensuring that when it is full, it can go directly into the green bin with food scraps.

By designing with simplicity and system compatibility in mind, The Compost Collector® helps bridge the gap between household convenience and municipal efficiency.