Beyond the Bag participants can access an ever-growing collection of resources linked on this page. From data to tools to exercises, use these resources to help your team research and develop your solutions.
Resources Overview – Bag Types
SUP Bag
- Plastic Film Recycling (link)
Plastic Reusable
- California standards for reusables (link)
Biobased
Paper
- EPA paperboard and packaging sourcing standards (link)
- FSC principles and standards (link) and certification
- SFI responsibly sourced fiber (link)
Tote
- California standards for reusables (link)
Resources Overview – Value Chain
Full Value Chain
- Highest performance standards for reusable bags in the US
- US EPA FAQ on Plastic Recycling, Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics
- US EPA Sustainable Materials Management basics
- ISO 14021: Environmental labels and declarations
- SPC Recycled Content Guide
- FTC Environmental Marketing Claims
Sourcing and Manufacturing
- Recycled Content Certification (also available in Mandarin)
- Responsibly sourced fiber certification: SFI from the U.S. and Canada only
- Responsibly sourced fiber certification: PEFC from Anguilla, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, or the UK
- Plastic Bag Material Types
- Obtaining an FDA No Objection Letter
- SPC Recycled Content Guide
- Chemical Footprint Program
- GreenScreen List
- EPA Chemicals and Toxics Topics
Health and Safety:
- Obtaining no objection letter from FDA
- CDC guidance for grocery workers
- GreenScreen List
- EPA Chemicals and Toxics Topics
- PFAS Laws and Regulations
End of Life
- ASTM D6400: Compostable Product Test – Composting
- EN 13432: Composting test for E.U
- EN 14995: Plastics - Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme and specifications from the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
- EN 13432: Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - from the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
- ASTM D6691: Marine biodegradability test
- Composting test for Canada: CAN/BNQ 0017-088
- BPI Certification for compostability
- Home composting Certification: TUV
- Association of Plastics Recyclers: Guide for plastics recyclability
- Ellen MacArthur, The New Plastics Economy, Rethinking the Future of Plastics (describes type of recycling and innovations in recycling)
- EPA plastic recycling, biodegradable and compostable plastics
- SPC’s How2Recycle
- SPC’s How2Compost
- Plastic Film Recycling
- California Degradable Plastic Labeling Requirements: Biobased and Degradable Plastics