On 22nd October 2025, the Compostable by Design Platform (CbDP) published its Compostable by Design Guidelines. 

This comprehensive reference is designed to help businesses, manufacturers and policymakers understand when and how compostable
packaging and products make sense in a circular economy.  Developed through cross-sector collaboration between leading organisations in materials science, packaging, bio-waste management and certification, the guidelines provide a science-based framework for designing, testing and introducing compostable packaging and products that support bio-waste recycling.

The guidelines provide;

• clear design recommendations for compostable packaging and products,
• a practical decision tree to guide when compostability makes sense,
• up-to-date information on EU legislation, standards and certification,
• best practice examples and case studies from across the value chain, and
• guidance on material selection, labelling and consumer education.

Decision tree

The guidelines’ decision tree is available as an interactive resource (both on-line and inside the guidelines document) and as a further, static page in the guidelines document.  This tree guides stakeholders through the design of items and helps identify the most appropriate end-of-life option.

Press release

This is available via the same area of the CbDP’s website.

About the CbDP

The Compostable by Design Platform (CbDP) brings together leaders from all segments of the compostable materials value chain, its goal being to ensure compostables are accepted for organic recycling at scale in Europe.  See their website for more info.

REA’s contribution

The REA is very pleased to have contributed to the guidelines’ content and encourages all who are interested in compostables to read them and explore the decision tree.