Monadnock Paper Mills has announced that its Compostable Card product has received TÜV OK Home Compost certification, verifying that the material safely decomposes in home composting conditions. The certification marks a development for brands seeking alternatives to single use plastics using fiber based materials.

The New Hampshire based manufacturer said the certification confirms that the engineered paper board meets established standards for safe breakdown outside of industrial composting systems. The company positions the product as a durable paper solution intended for applications that traditionally rely on plastic components.

Monadnock Paper Mills, founded in 1819, is the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States. The company has built its reputation around specialty papers and fiber based materials used in packaging, printing, and consumer applications.

Compostable Card was developed as a bright white engineered paper board made from 100 percent post consumer recycled fiber and materials compliant with FDA food contact requirements. According to the company, the material maintains durability and moisture resistance while remaining capable of breaking down in home compost environments when disposed of correctly.

“Compostable Card represents a breakthrough in technical design and performance for applications where paper replaces plastic and must deliver durability and humidity resistance,” said Rajan Iyer, Vice President of Research Development & Technical Services. “Achieving TÜV OK Home Compostable certification reflects forward-thinking engineering that expands what fiber-based materials can deliver while still meeting sustainability goals.”

The TÜV OK Home Compost certification is issued by the international testing organisation TÜV Austria. It confirms that products meet defined criteria for decomposition under typical household composting conditions, including requirements for biodegradation and disintegration within a specified timeframe.

This distinction has become increasingly relevant as companies search for materials that address both performance requirements and waste management concerns. Many packaging and product components marketed as compostable can only break down in industrial facilities, which remain limited in availability across many markets.

Monadnock says its Compostable Card was designed for uses where paper alternatives must remain durable in humid or variable environments. Potential applications include bakery bag closures, gift and loyalty cards, and signage that requires both print quality and structural stability.

“Industry estimates suggest that billions of plastic bakery bag closure clips are produced annually in the United States. Even modest reductions in that volume could prevent millions of pounds of plastic from entering the waste stream,” said Molly Rosenthal, Director of Strategic Business Development. “We’re demonstrating that paper-based alternatives can meet performance expectations while helping brands meaningfully reduce plastic use.”

The development reflects broader changes across the packaging and materials sectors, where manufacturers are responding to regulatory pressure and shifting corporate commitments around plastic reduction. Fiber based packaging and molded paper products have gained attention as companies reassess materials used in everyday items.

Durability has historically presented a challenge for paper substitutes intended to replace plastic. Products used in humid environments, food packaging, or reusable applications often require coatings or additives that can complicate recycling or composting.

Monadnock says its approach was to engineer the board so that it retains strength and moisture resistance while maintaining compostability at end of life. The company describes the material as suitable for applications that require both performance and environmental compatibility.

The certification also arrives during a period of continued recognition for the company’s environmental management programs. Monadnock recently received an EcoVadis Platinum rating for the second consecutive year, placing it among the highest ranked companies assessed by the sustainability ratings provider.

In addition, the company’s gift card products received certification through the Mastercard Card Eco Certification program last year. The certification evaluates environmental performance across card manufacturing and material sourcing.

Monadnock states that all of its products are manufactured under a third party certified ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. The company is also Forest Stewardship Council certified through Preferred by Nature.

Manufacturing operations are supported by Green-e certified renewable electricity through renewable energy certificates. The company also states that its products are manufactured carbon neutral through investments in emission reduction projects certified under the GHG Clean Projects Protocol.

“These certifications demonstrate that brands no longer have to compromise durability to meet sustainability goals,” said Julie Brannen, Director of Sales and Sustainable Solutions. “It demonstrates that companies can transition away from plastics without compromising functionality.”

Paper based alternatives continue to gain traction as companies reconsider the materials used in packaging, retail products, and food service items. As regulators introduce restrictions on certain plastic products and brands set their own reduction targets, manufacturers are developing new fiber based options designed to meet those needs.

Monadnock says the TÜV OK Home Compost certification for Compostable Card supports wider industry efforts to create materials that combine performance with responsible end of life options. The company expects the product to support brands working to reduce plastic use across a range of consumer applications.

For more information about Monadnock Paper Mills’ Compostable Card and environmental programs, visit www.mpm.com/compostable-card/.