How can we improve the circularity of compost and compostables?

CMA intends to find out.

At the end of September, we attended a unique three-day event, in Denver hosted by the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) and facilitated by Future Search – an open-source strategic planning methodology that is highly structured and designed to create an environment where action-based strategies around complex issues and systems are possible.

What is this all about?

Initiated by CMA, the Improving the Circularity of Compostables + Compost initiative is ‘a 2-year whole system strategic planning and systems change effort focused on engaging pioneers from all parts of the system to come together to create a shared vision and a collective road map toward optimizing the circularity of compostables and compost’. 

The official launch was in January of 2024, with work on the initiative continuing through the end of 2025. Our Sustainability Maven, Megan Jorgensen, serves on the Steering Committee for this initiative and event, along with 25 organizations representing stakeholders across the U.S. composting industry and compostable products value chain.

Tour of A1 Organics

With about 50 of our closest friends, we took a bus out to the main manufacturing facility for A1 Organics in Keenseburg, Colorado. A1 Organics is the largest compost manufacturer in the state of Colorado. They currently only accept food scraps, yard waste, and select compostable liners from the majority of their customers.

The group enjoyed touring the facility, discussing challenges and opportunities with contamination and the processing of different feedstocks, and was even able to see a pre-approved load of compostable products and food scraps from one of our longest-standing Waste Diverting Operators – Folsom Field at CU Boulder. We appreciated the tour and insights from A1 Organics.

Key Takeaways

There were 140 attendees at the Future Search event, and no one was sure what to expect. Throughout the 3 days together it became clear that attendees were impressed by the process, happy they attended, and inspired to work together at addressing challenges facing the US compost industry. Here are some of our favorite takeaways:

• The Future Search Process: The event was thoughtfully organized to ensure we were able to learn from the past and the present, identify desired future scenarios, and create an action plan for how to build the future we want to see. By strategically planning interactive groups of stakeholders, topics of discussion, and sharing of knowledge – the facilitation team effectively guided this large group through the process.


• Old and New Friends: This event brought together key stakeholders from across the compostables value chain. Some were old friends, and many new relationships were formed. This was a unique environment in which all stakeholders were able to share their viewpoints, but also hear from others with whom they may not normally interact.


• The Proud and Sorry Session: Different stakeholder groups (i.e. compost manufacturers, compostable products manufacturers, policy-makers, generators) convened to identify their contributions to the current state of the US compost industry. Each then presented their top 3 proudest contributions, along with their top 3 “I’m sorry about this” contributions to the group. This was a therapeutic moment, during which all stakeholders were able to be seen, heard, and understood.


• Initiatives for the Future: The result of the 3-days together was identifying strategic initiatives required to build the future we would like to see for the US compost industry and the circularity of compostables. Initiatives were voted on, and a handful were approved to move into the next planning phases.

Next Steps

This event was not the end! It is our sincere hope that meaningful progress occurs within the strategic initiative working groups. We hope to see some of you in those conversations!