Compostable Packaging Info Packet

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport made a bold sustainability statement with its new concessionaire contract, the largest such contract executed to date in North America.  Atlanta Airport food vendors signed contracts with the following provision:

“Concessionaire shall use compostable serviceware along with consumer facing packaging and source separate all food service wastes for direct transport to off airport composting facilities.”

The ZWA Blog post, Atlanta Airport Makes a Bold Sustainable Statement, details the actions leading to the Atlanta Airport's groundbreaking contract provision.

SFCI Team Meeting

As the Sustainable Food Court Initiative Airport Pilot, the Atlanta Airport is supported by the SFCI Team's Sustainable Packaging Committee to assist concessionaires meet the contract provision.  The first committee task was preparation of the HJAIA Compostable Foodservice Ware Packet consisting of a introduction, fact sheet and frequently asked question section.

After the introduction, which gives an overview of document and the contract provision language, the fact sheet explains WHY the contract provision is important followed by WHAT are compostable packages.  HOW to meet the provision is the final copy in the fact sheet.  A resources section lists industry non-profits and trade associations along with contact information and website links. For those with further interest, the frequently asked question document dives deeper into industry practices and answers queries commonly expressed by operators.

THANK YOU to Brenda Platt, Institute for Local Self Reliance co-director, for taking the lead on developing this important resource for Atlanta Airport concessionaires and the industry.  Along with Brenda, Foodservice Packaging Institute President Lynn Dyer was a valuable contributor along with SFCI industry experts from the private sector.  

Elemental Impact program director Susan Montgomery used her excellent organizational skills to bring the document to completion.  Michael Cheyne, ATL Airport director of asset management and sustainability, gave the airport's perspective and overall document direction.

The document may be downloaded on the Ei website page Atlanta Airport Compostable Foodservice Ware Packet and on the ILSR site at this link.  For additional information on the magnitude of Atlanta Airport's compostable packaging contract provision, visit Brenda's post  Atlanta Launches Compostable Foodservice Ware Program.

Collaborative effort was in full-force with creating and completing the document. The SFCI Team is excited to complete first step in supporting airport concessionaires meet the compostable packaging contract provision.  The FUN is in motion!