Paper Bags

Can paper green waste collection bags printed with colored ink be used as a compost feedstock?

By Daniel Nguyen

Paper green waste collection bags are available for residential use, and many of these paper bags are printed with colored inks. These paper green waste collection bags are often destined for the compost pile and, if not removed, these bags with colored ink become feedstocks in the resulting compost. The bags and the green waste contained therein are evaluated for compliance against the National Organic Program regulations when used in the production of composts intended for use in organic production.

As a synthetic material, paper requires a specific allowance on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances starting at §205.600. Paper green waste bags are specifically allowed as synthetic compost feedstock materials at §205.601(c). The annotation reads, “As compost feedstocks – Newspaper or other recycled paper, without glossy or colored inks.” Initial reading of this annotation appears to exclude the colored inks that are present on many commercially available green waste collection bags.

In spring 2017, OMRI’s Crop Review Panel considered the compliance of colored inks on paper green waste collection bags. As part of their consideration, the Crop Review Panel considered the 2017 Technical Report for Newspaper or Other Recycled Paper. Ultimately, the panel determined that the colored ink material does not require review and can be allowed under the National List entry for “Newspaper and other recycled paper.” The amount of ink compared to the total composted green waste material is miniscule. The Crops Review Panel determined that paper green waste bags, regardless of the colored inks, are allowed materials per §205.601(c). Removal of these green waste bags prior to composting is not required.

At this time, it is OMRI’s review policy to not separately review ink on paper green waste collection bags. OMRI therefore considers paper green waste collection bags printed with colored ink to be allowed compost feedstocks under §205.601(c). This policy is subject to further consideration and may be clarified or revised in the future. 

This article was originally published in the winter 2018 edition of the OMRI Materials Review newsletter and was revised in April 2021 by Technical Director Doug Currier.