Our Journey to a Future Free of Plastic Pollution
Welcome to The Compost Bag Company, where sustainabilty drives innovation. Our biobased and certified compostable products bring solutions to specific needs. In four decades of customer dedication, we grew into a market leader, providing bioplastic products and shaping a green tomorrow altogether – one compostable bag at a time.
Our History
Rooted in a plastic converting enterprise from the 1960s, Jemaco emerged in 1982 under Gaston Vanderlinden’s leadership. Under his forward-thinking leadership, the company transformed from a straightforward traditional plastic products manufacturer into a beacon of innovation.
In 1996, his son Erik Vanderlinden drove the company to excellence with ISO9000 (1997) and ISO14000 (2000) certifications. Already then, the company strongly cared for its environmental impact and looked for alternatives to traditional plastics, digging into compostable materials in 1999. From 2008 on, the focus was redirected to certified compostable products, a commitment reinforced with a rebrand in 2012.
Today, we stand proud as The Compost Bag Company, celebrating four decades as a trailblazing market leader in certified compostable and biobased products across Europe. Our long journey speaks volumes about our enduring commitment to sustainability through constant innovation, driven by our strong belief in a green future.
UNITAR ‘Sustainable Development Goals Champion’ Charter
At The Compost Bag Company, our commitment to sustainability is more than just a promise, it’s a journey we have woven into our very fabric. For 3 years now, we’ve actively pursued the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, shaping company-wide policies that fuel meaningful change towards higher sustainability.
From detailed crafted action plans to impactful results, our efforts resonate in every corner of our community, leaving a positive impact on both the environment and society. Explore the details in our latest yearly sustainability report, a testament to our ongoing dedication.
This relentless pursuit of sustainability, audited by VOKA, will soon earn us the prestigious UNITAR SDG Champion Charter, an international recognition of our commitment to creating a green world.
Biobased & Certified Compostable Materials
Since 2008, our partnership with a leading innovator in sustainable materials has positioned us as pioneer in Bioplastic solutions. Through this collaboration, we’ve found a plant-based material that stands out as our premier choice for crafting our biobased and certified compostable products. With more then 60% of the materials being renewable.
Our chosen material is derived from various renewable sources, including the cardoon thistle, a resilient weed indigenous to the arid lands of the Mediterranean. Cultivating this plant requires no additional water or fertilizers, providing employment opportunities for local farmers and factory workers at the nearby biorefinery, where every part of the plant is utilized efficiently. In addition, starch and waste from sugar beet refineries are added as the foundation of our material.
Furthermore, our dedication to using renewable basematerials is integral to our mission of reducing our carbon footprint. Implementing a multimodal transportation approach, primarily by train to Belgium, we contribute significantly to emissions reduction efforts. While exact figures may vary, our commitment to sustainability ensures a substantial decrease in CO2 emissions annually.
Eco-Friendly Manufacturing
The Compost Bag Company proudly operates a cutting-edge factory staffed by a dedicated and diverse team of green comitted professionals.
Our production processes prioritize environmental responsibility and exceptional quality, always considering the wellbeing of our team and community. We follow stringent protocols and hold certifications for “zero discharge of industrial wastewater,” ensuring minimal environmental impact. What sets us apart is our commitment to waste-free manufacturing, carefully repurposing every production scrap onsite.
Powered entirely by renewable energy sources like the sun, wind and water, our factory underscores our dedication to environmental stewardship. On top of it we diligently collect and recycle over 20 waste streams.
Our Mission
The Compost Bag Company strives to positively and sustainably contribute to the necessary transition to a new world where humanity and nature live in harmony. We will do so in supporting the valorisation of (organic) waste streams into soil amendments like compost, and in focusing on renewable material and energy sources.
In particular, we will contribute to the prevention of soil pollution by persistent microplastics in compost or digestate, by offering compostable alternatives for items that end up in organic waste streams. These compostable alternatives will equally prevent disruption of organic recycling processes like composting and anaerobic digestion by plastic pollution.
Our Vision
The Compost Bag Company stands both feet in today’s world with its concerns on climate and environment, and understands its own roll and responsibility in addressing these issues.
In our vision, the future of humanity on this planet will strongly depend on how humanity will deal with environmental challenges, such as waste, over the next decades. There is no time to waste. Technological innovation will help us find solutions. But, we all have a responsibility to change our previous careless behaviour and engage in participating in more clever approaches on using our natural resources and our technology. That may require an ethical change.
Our company adheres to an environmentally and socially sustainable ethos, placing utmost respect for both people and the environment at the forefront of our operations.
Going for a Climate-Neutral Future
At The Compost Bag Company, we’re not just bystanders in the quest for a climate-neutral future – we’re active participants. With the EU’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 in mind, we’re taking proactive steps to reduce our carbon footprint and make meaningful contributions to the environment.
From implementing energy-efficient practices in our operations to investing in renewable energy sources, we’re committed to doing our part in the fight against climate change. By embracing sustainable initiatives and innovative solutions, we’re paving the way towards a greener, more sustainable future for all.
Join us on our journey towards climate neutrality. Together, we can make a difference and create a world where environmental responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do.
Combatting Plastic Pollution
Uncover the hidden crisis beneath our feet: plastic contamination in our soil. The Compost Bag Company sheds light on this often overlooked issue. Microplastics silently infiltrate the soil, disrupting ecosystems and threatening nature’s delicate balance.
The severity of the situation is often underestimated. Traditional plastics linger in the soil for centuries, releasing harmful chemicals and impacting plant life. Our compostable bags provide a sustainable solution, breaking down naturally and enriching the soil instead.
Join us in taking a stand against soil pollution by choosing compostable. Every purchase from The Compost Bag Company supports a healthier, more resilient Earth. Together, let’s transform the soil beneath our feet into a symbol of regeneration.
A Sustainable Approach
At The Compost Bag Company, we’re proud to embrace a cradle to cradle approach to sustainability. Our focus is on creating products that are not only environmentally friendly but also fully recyclable and biodegradable.
From sourcing raw materials to the end of a product’s lifecycle, sustainability is our priority. Every product we create is designed to be reused, repurposed, or returned to the natural environment without harm.
By embracing cradle to cradle principles, we’re not just minimizing our environmental impact – we’re actively contributing to a circular economy. Join us in building a sustainable future where every product makes a positive impact on the planet.
Exploring Partnership Possibilities?
Exploring Partnership Possibilities?
Join us on this eco-friendly odyssey as we reinvent convenience without compromise. Every bag you use becomes a seed for a clean & green planet. With innovation as our compass and sustainability as our guide, we are navigating towards a better world for our offspring.
Thank you for being part of our journey to a future free of plastic pollution.