An unprecedented agreement has been reached between the fresh produce industry and composting organizations to accelerate the transition to certified compostable Price Look Up (PLU) stickers.

This intent was reached at a first-ever worldwide meeting in Niagara Falls, Canada, on October 1st, with leaders agreeing to develop a multi-phase framework to support this transition through the development and adoption of a global standard for compostable PLUs. The planned transition to certified compostable PLUs in the European Union (EU) by 2028 provides the added momentum to accelerate a worldwide adoption to this collective goal. Additional meetings within the fresh produce and composting sectors are planned in the coming months to expand engagement and finalize the action plan by the end of 2024.

“Moving to a certified compostable format for PLUs is a priority for organics recycling facilities,” said Susan Antler, executive director, Compost Council of Canada and member of the International Compost Alliance (ICA). “The current plasticized format is not compatible with producing quality compost nor can the stickers be easily removed during the organics recycling process and can result in the collected organics being sent to landfill or incineration, contributing to climate change and diminishing an important resource to build soil health. Because of the global sourcing network for produce, the members of the International Compost Alliance applaud the produce industry in recognizing the importance of this transition and its timeliness to ensure both our industries can positively contribute to food production and supply as well as take care of the health and well-being of our soils.”

“CPMA is delighted to see the fresh produce and composting industries work together towards a global standard for compostable PLU stickers. Given PLUs are an integral part of global fresh produce supply chains, this global dialogue is a must,” said CPMA president Ron Lemaire. “Accelerating the adoption of compostable PLUs is a global priority given the risk that compostable PLU requirements will increasingly diverge from country to country. The coming together of fresh produce and composting industries will help reduce the burden on complex fresh produce supply chains, while also ensuring that food waste is increasingly recycled into value-added products.”

The meeting was jointly organized by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and the Compost Council of Canada, with the support of the Government of Canada. In-person and virtual attendance included representatives of the fresh produce industry, including members of the International Federation of Produce.

Next steps include broader engagement of industry representatives with their respective regional and global counterparts to disseminate the meeting’s key findings. This will include broader engagement with fresh produce stakeholders in the EU and other key markets where PLU requirements are rapidly evolving. A Compostable PLU Standard Action Plan will be developed and launched by industry stakeholders before the end of 2024.

Source: Canadian Produce Marketing Association October 8, 2024 news release