Insights

Plastic produce stickers add microplastics to Washington’s compost, and no system can remove them effectively. For the Department of Ecology, we assessed compostable stickers, laser etching, and ink-based printing. Our findings informed Ecology’s recommendation to the Legislature: wait for global compostable-sticker standards before a ban.

Organic material collected for composting in Washington will nearly quadruple by 2035. For the Department of Ecology, we identified state- and county-level gaps in collection, processing, and markets so local governments and compost facilities can plan infrastructure and cut greenhouse gas emissions.