Produce, compost industries to develop global standard for compostable produce stickers
Leaders in the global fresh produce and composting industries have agreed to transition to compostable stickers.
Following a meeting in Niagara Falls, Ont. earlier this month, the sectors announced plans Tuesday (Oct. 8) to develop and adopt a single global standard for compostable PLU (Price Look Up) stickers.
The meeting was organized by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and the Compost Council of Canada, with the support of the government of Canada.
Attendees included members of the International Federation of Produce Standards, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the International Compost Alliance, as well as technical experts from global PLU manufacturers.
Government representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture and Environment and Climate Change Canada were also present.
Additional meetings are planned for the coming months. An action plan is expected to be finalized by the end of 2024 with development and adoption starting in 2025.
READ: Canadian Grocer’s 2024 Produce Operations Survey reveals pain points, opportunities
“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 in a release. “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.”
PLUs play a critical role in identifying fresh produce for traceability, inventory control and pricing at retail. However, discarded PLU stickers on fresh produce waste can contaminate the organics recycling process and adversely impact the compost quality and value.
The European Union is currently in the process of transitioning to compostable PLUs by 2028.
