Eco-Products® has announced a new program, called Controls Intended to Remove Contamination (CIRC), to support foodservice operators in preventing non-compostable items from entering their organics streams. This free program is open to all and aims to ensure that restaurants and other operators are taking necessary steps to avoid sending non-compostable materials to composting facilities. Contamination from such materials poses a significant challenge for composters, who have limited capacity to deal with it once it enters their facilities. Wendell Simonson, Director of Marketing at Eco-Products, emphasized the importance of implementing controls to prevent contamination from reaching composters.
With the CIRC program, foodservice operators can adopt measures to prevent contamination and showcase these efforts to gain the confidence of composters and haulers. The program utilizes scorecards divided into four sections – Procurement, Operations, Communications, and Hauler Engagement – which outline required and encouraged criteria and conditions. These scorecards and supporting materials are available for anyone to use, without any fees charged by Eco-Products. Composting facilities can determine their own passing scores and decide which conditions are mandatory or encouraged. Among the criteria to be evaluated are the presence of approved ordering guides for compostable products, agreements with distributors to stock all items listed in the guides, active employee engagement in waste management, clear instructions for guests on the disposal of compostable and non-compostable foodservice items, and messaging provided through labeling and venue communication. Additionally, the on-site sorting process is assessed to ensure inspection of all organics streams before pick-up by haulers.
The launch of the CIRC program follows a 2022 study, known as the CompostAble Chicago study. This study examined four foodservice venues in Chicago and found that the adoption of compostable packaging, in addition to other operational measures, can significantly increase the diversion of food scraps and reduce contamination in waste streams. Eco-Products is committed to promoting an operator-driven systems approach to contamination mitigation, supported by the willingness of composters to accept and process post-consumer food scraps and certified packaging.
Eco-Products is introducing the CIRC program through its nationwide team of waste diversion experts, called “Product & Zero Waste Specialists.” Foodservice operators can access further information about the program at www.ecoproducts.com/circ. For more information about Eco-Products and its sustainable food and drink packaging solutions, visit www.ecoproducts.com.
