Develop Environmental Protection (DEP) Products Earn the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label

Develop Environmental Protection (DEP) is proud to announce that a selection of products from our foodservice line has earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product label through the USDA BioPreferred® Program.

For our customers, this certification provides more than another symbol on the packaging. It offers independently verified information about the renewable biological content of qualifying DEP products, helping restaurants, distributors, caterers, and institutional buyers make more informed purchasing decisions.

What Does USDA Certified Biobased Mean?

Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the USDA BioPreferred® Program promotes the development, purchase, and use of biobased products.

Biobased products are made wholly or partly from renewable biological resources, including agricultural, plant, marine, and forestry materials. These materials can provide alternatives to ingredients traditionally derived from petroleum.

To qualify for the USDA Certified Biobased Product label, a product’s biobased content must be tested by an independent laboratory and reviewed through the USDA certification process.

The percentage displayed on the label represents the product’s verified biobased content, measured using the ASTM D6866 testing method.

Simply put, the label turns a broad statement such as “made with renewable materials” into a specific and independently verified product attribute.

Why Does Third-Party Verification Matter?

Terms such as “eco-friendly,” “plant-based,” and “sustainable” are now used across many products. However, these terms do not always explain how a product is made or how its environmental claims have been verified.

Third-party certification gives buyers information supported by an established testing process. Customers do not have to rely solely on a manufacturer’s marketing language.

At DEP, we believe sustainability information should be:

• Clear and easy to understand
• Specific to the individual product
• Supported by credible verification

This level of transparency helps businesses evaluate products more effectively and communicate their purchasing decisions with greater confidence.

What Does This Mean for DEP Customers?

When customers choose a DEP product carrying the USDA Certified Biobased Product label, they can clearly identify its verified biobased content.

This information can help foodservice buyers:

• Confirm that the stated biobased content has been independently tested
• Better understand the renewable materials used in a product
• Compare products using a measurable attribute
• Support company or institutional sustainable purchasing goals
• Access clearer documentation for product reviews and procurement requirements

This can be especially useful for restaurants, distributors, schools, corporate dining programs, government-related purchasers, and other organizations with formal purchasing standards.

The certification does not mean that one product is automatically the best option for every application. Performance, intended use, cost, and local waste infrastructure still need to be considered. Instead, the label provides another reliable piece of information for evaluating the complete product.

Biobased Does Not Automatically Mean Compostable

Although “biobased” and “compostable” are often used together, they describe two different product characteristics.

Biobased describes where a product’s materials come from.

It indicates that some or all of the product’s organic carbon comes from renewable biological resources rather than fossil-based sources.

Compostable describes how a product is designed to break down.

It refers to whether the product can disintegrate and biodegrade under specific composting standards, conditions, and timeframes.

A biobased product is not automatically compostable. Likewise, a compostable product is not necessarily made entirely from biobased materials.

Compostable products may also require access to an appropriate commercial composting facility. Availability and acceptance requirements vary by location, so customers should review each product’s individual certifications and follow applicable local disposal guidance.

When evaluating a DEP product, customers should consider each attribute separately:

• The USDA Certified Biobased Product label verifies the product’s stated biobased content.
• A separate compostability certification, when applicable, addresses the product’s ability to break down under specified composting standards and conditions.
• Product-specific disposal instructions explain the appropriate end-of-life pathway.

Keeping these claims separate helps customers avoid confusion and make decisions based on accurate product information.

Our Commitment to Clearer Product Information

At Develop Environmental Protection (DEP), we believe responsible purchasing begins with transparent information.

Third-party certifications make it easier for customers to understand what a product claim means, how it was verified, and how the product may support their purchasing goals.

The USDA Certified Biobased Product label is one part of that commitment. By identifying verified biobased content, it gives foodservice buyers a clearer understanding of the renewable materials used in qualifying DEP products—without relying on vague environmental claims.

Look for the USDA Certified Biobased Product label on qualifying DEP products and review the percentage shown on each label. For additional certifications, product specifications, and disposal guidance, please refer to the individual product information.

To learn more about DEP’s USDA Certified Biobased products, product specifications, or wholesale purchasing options, contact our team.

Contact us for Product Specifications and Wholesale Information.