To reduce contamination at compost facilities and increase consumer knowledge, Minnesota’s compostable product labeling law (Minn. Stat. § 325E.046) requires all covered products that are labeled as “compostable” and sold in Minnesota to meet certain requirements. Covered products include bags, packaging, and food and beverage products such as plates, bowls, cups, lids, trays, straws, utensils, and hinged or lidded containers. If these products are labeled as "compostable," they must be certified compostable and comply with labeling requirements. The law also places requirements on products labeled “biodegradable,” “degradable,” “decomposable,” and any form of those words.
Certification required
As of Jan. 1, 2026, bags, packaging, and food and beverage products labeled as “compostable” must be certified as meeting one of two compostability standard specifications: ASTM D6868 or ASTM D6400, unless they are comprised of wood or paper with no additives or coatings. Products must be certified by an entity that meets all these criteria:
- is a nonprofit corporation
- as its primary focus of operation, promotes the production, use, and appropriate end of life for materials and products that are designed to fully biodegrade in specific biologically active environments such as industrial composting
- is technically capable of and willing to perform analysis necessary to determine a product's compliance
The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is an example of a certifier that meets the law's requirements for certifiers.
Labeling and restriction of misleading terms
Bags, packaging, and food and beverage items that are labeled “compostable” and meet the required compostability standard specifications must also meet the following labeling requirements:
- Products must be labeled to reflect that they meet the applicable ASTM standard, unless they are made entirely of wood or paper without any additives or coatings. A certification mark from an approved certifier can fulfill this requirement.
- Products must be clearly and prominently labeled on the product, or the product’s smallest unit of sale, to reflect that they are intended for composting at an industrial or commercial compost facility. This label must be in a legible text size and font.
Bags, packaging, and food and beverage products may not be labeled “biodegradable,” “degradable,” “decomposable,” or any form of those terms unless an ASTM standard specification is adopted for the term claimed and the product is certified as meeting the specification. This applies to all covered products whether or not they are labeled “compostable.”
Who does this law apply to?
The law regulates the sale of products in Minnesota. Bags, packaging, and food and beverage products cannot be sold or offered for sale in Minnesota unless they meet the requirements above. Any person selling bags, packaging or food and beverage products is responsible for making sure the products that they sell are compliant with the law. This includes manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and any other person selling these products. This also includes anyone selling covered products into Minnesota from outside the state.
This law does not regulate what compost sites can accept. Compost sites can determine what, if any, compostable products they will accept at their facility, in accordance with their permit or other requirements. Residents and consumers should continue to follow guidance from their county, city and local compost sites on which compostable products are acceptable for organics recycling.
How is this law enforced?
The MPCA investigates potential instances of noncompliance as we become aware of them. If you come across someone selling a product that you think violates the requirements described above, please submit a complaint using the MPCA online environmental complaint form.
Why is this law important?
Contamination is one of the biggest challenges facing organics recycling programs. Much of this contamination is from food service products with misleading labels. Clear and consistent labeling will make it easier for consumers to recognize when a product is truly compostable.
Food scraps and compostable materials make up approximately one-third of residential waste. Diverting these materials from the trash is necessary to meet the state’s recycling and composting goals (Minn. Stat. § 115A.551, subd. 2a). Counties, cities, and Tribal Nations are continuing to develop composting facilities and organics recycling programs. The success of these programs depends on reducing contamination. Less contamination means less time and money spent on contamination removal. Less contamination also leads to cleaner compost that is easier to sell and better for the environment.