"Depackaging at a Crossroads: Promise, Risk, and the Path Forward"

Depackaging is a fast growing part of the organics recycling infrastructure, helping to quickly and conveniently divert food waste from landfill. But as the technology adoption scales, so do the questions. What do we actually know about how depackaging impacts compost quality, digestate, and microplastics contamination? Where is the data still lacking? And how should policymakers and practitioners respond in the absence of clear standards? This session creates space for a candid conversation across perspectives—from regulators to environmental advocates to organics recyclers on the ground. Together, panelists will explore what must be true for depackaging to play a responsible role in organics diversion, what guardrails may be needed, and how the industry can move forward without compromising long-term system integrity.