Roastar’s ASTM-Compliant Products

ASTM stands for American Society for Testing and Materials, which sounds very official— because it is. This international organization develops science-backed standards that set the bar for product quality, safety, and performance. In the world of compostable packaging, ASTM standards ensure that biodegradable materials break down as intended, rather than sitting in a landfill where they’ll do more harm than good.

For packaging like ours, the ASTM D6868 standard is the gold standard. It confirms that our materials will fully degrade under industrial composting conditions without leaving behind harmful residues. Think of it like a strict compostability report card—and we passed with flying colors.

If you’re not familiar with industrial composting, here’s the scoop: it’s a process where a facility breaks down organic material by controlling factors like temperature, moisture, oxygen levels, and pH. This creates the perfect environment for microbes to do their job. The result? Rich, high-quality compost that gives nutrients back to the earth and keeps waste out of landfills.

The world of compostable packaging is full of confusing claims. Some brands slap a green leaf on their bag and call it a day. Others say their packaging is "60% compostable" (your guess is as good as ours). We witnessed these customers struggling to make sense of the eco-jargon and fine print, and we set out to do better.

Our goal was simple: eliminate the guesswork. We wanted our customers to have clear assurance, backed by scientific testing, that Roastar’s compostable packaging does what it says it does. By meeting ASTM standards, we’re making sure that:

• We’re making truthful claims. No vague statements—just the facts, ma’am.

• Composters can count on us. Industrial composting facilities can process our packaging with confidence, knowing it will break down properly.

• Customers can trust their packaging is sustainable. When we say compostable, we mean compostable. No fine print needed.

Currently, our ASTM compliance only applies to our White Compostable bags, including Flat Bottom, Gusset, Stand Up Pouches, and Flat Pouches. But rest assured that we’re not stopping there. We’re actively working to expand testing to more of our compostable products, and our brown compostable bags are next in line.

Getting products verified as ASTM-compliant isn’t as simple as sending in a sample and getting a thumbs-up. This is a months-long process that puts our packaging through the wringer (figuratively) to make sure it degrades as promised.

Here’s what it takes:

Step 1: Biodegradation Testing

This test measures how much of our packaging breaks down in a composting environment. To pass, at least 90% of the material’s carbon content must be converted into CO₂ within 180 days—which proves that microbes are happily munching away at it, just like they would with food scraps or leaves.

(Did we pass? You betcha!)

Step 2: Disintegration Testing

Even if something biodegrades, it’s no good if big chunks of material are left behind. Disintegration testing ensures that at least 90% of the material breaks down into tiny, soil-like particles within 12 weeks. This prevents contamination and ensures that the compost remains clean and usable.

(We crushed this one too. Our material achieved an impressive 92% disintegration rate.)

Step 3: Ecotoxicity Testing

No one wants compost that’s secretly filled with toxic junk. That’s why our packaging was tested for regulated metals and plant safety. To pass, our material had to:

Contain less than 50% of the maximum allowable heavy metal concentrations.

Support the germination of two different plant species at 90% or higher compared to a control sample.

(The verdict? Our packaging isn’t just compostable—it’s compost-safe.)

As you may have guessed after reading about that lengthy process, meeting ASTM standards is a serious commitment—one that takes time, money, and continuous effort.

Here are some of the challenges:

1. It’s Costly

To be real, having your materials ASTM tested isn’t cheap. The testing process itself, as well as related lab work and regulatory approvals, all add up. Businesses willing to take on these costs are making a real investment in transparency. For the right project, grants and funding opportunities can help offset the expense.

2. Compliance Has an Expiration Date

ASTM test results don’t last forever. They’re only valid for about three years, which means businesses must retest their products regularly to maintain them. This ensures that compostable materials remain up to standard, but it also means that testing has to be an ongoing commitment.

3. Continuous Material Improvements Mean Continuous Testing

The world of sustainable packaging is constantly evolving. New materials are being developed that break down faster, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency. But here’s the catch: if a material’s composition changes, it needs to be retested. That means if one of our suppliers tweaks a formula even slightly, the testing process starts over.

4. Testing Takes Time—A Lot of It

ASTM testing isn’t a quick process. Depending on lab technology and testing phases, it can take anywhere from 9 to 12 months to complete. Planning ahead is critical for any company looking to launch an ASTM-compliant compostable product.

5. Ingredient Transparency Adds Complexity

Material suppliers often mark key ingredients as proprietary, making verification a time- consuming process. But while it adds challenges, it also forces the entire supply chain to have critical conversations about sustainability and customer needs. At the end of the day, that’s a good thing.

6. Brands Are Legally Responsible for Their Claims

Saying your packaging is “compostable” without proof? That’s a legal risk. In the U.S., producers and brands are directly accountable for the environmental claims they make on their packaging. If a product is falsely advertised as compostable, companies can face legal consequences under consumer protection laws—especially the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Green Guides, which regulate environmental marketing claims.

The problem? There’s no single, centralized regulatory body enforcing these rules consistently. Some brands might get away with misleading claims, while others face fines or legal action. TÜV AUSTRIA, a quality and standards organization that helps businesses back up their environmental claims with credible certifications, monitors any misuse of their labels and even publishes a public blacklist of companies that misuse them.

Purchasing ASTM-tested products and materials protects brands from potential legal trouble by ensuring that their compostability claims are backed by science, not just marketing buzzwords.

Why Roastar Takes on the Challenge

Yes, ASTM testing is time-consuming, expensive, and demanding—but it’s worth it. That’s why we go through this rigorous process. We want our customers to get real, tested, and verified compostable packaging without any greenwashing. At Roastar, cutting corners isn’t an option.

So, why even bother jumping through all those hoops? Beyond giving our packaging a compostability seal of approval, ASTM testing plays a critical role in building trust, ensuring quality, and advancing sustainability.

Here are a few benefits:

•  It helps consumers, manufacturers, and regulators better understand biodegradable plastics.

• Products labeled as compostable meet their environmental claims and perform as expected in real-world composting conditions, which is essential for preventing misinformation and fostering transparency in the industry.

• Roastar customers have a clear benchmark to evaluate how our packaging stacks up against others in terms of compostability and environmental performance. This helps brands make informed decisions and position themselves as responsible players in the growing eco-friendly market.

• It helps us educate customers about the realities of compostable materials and waste infrastructure. We can guide consumers on proper disposal in their region, contributing to the broader effort of making composting more accessible and efficient.

At the end of the day, this kind of transparency helps build trust, supports circular economies, and keeps brands accountable for their sustainability claims.

When you choose Roastar’s ASTM-compliant compostable packaging, you can be sure that:

Every claim is backed by science. No misleading language, no greenwashing—just real, tested, and verified sustainability.

Your packaging will break down properly. Our compostable bags meet the strictest industrial composting standards, meaning they won’t just “kind of” degrade. They will degrade.

We’re committed to continuous testing. Not all of our compostable products have been ASTM tested yet, but weare actively working on it. Because ASTM testing is both time-intensive and expensive, we’re rolling out certification bit by bit to ensure that each product meets our strict sustainability standards.

Additionally, as we develop new packaging solutions, we make sure the formulation is final before testing—otherwise, any adjustments to the materials would require us to start the certification process all over again.

Sustainability is only meaningful when it’s transparent and honest. At Roastar, we believe that compostable packaging shouldn’t be a guessing game—and with ASTM certification, it isn’t.

Ready to package your product in compostable materials you can trust? We can’t wait to work with you! Read up on more of our sustainability initiatives or dive in with a free quote.