Upcycled Certified Standard Revision

Help Shape the Future of Upcycled Certified®: Standard Revision Feedback

In this form you will find specific topics for your feedback and engagement, in addition to free-form space where you can comment on any component of the current Standard.

Thank you again for taking the time to engage in this process and be a part of the evolution of Upcycled Certified®!

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* Topic 1: Ineligible Goods
Currently Section 1.2 of the Standard defines goods ineligible for Certification as:
1). Inputs derived from wood and forestry products.
2). Cigarettes, tobacco, vaping, or nicotine products.
3). Controlled substances or similarly restricted ingredients or products according to local, state, federal, or other laws which might supersede this Standard.
4). Goods for sale within countries for which an application for the certification trademark has not yet been submitted.
5). Durable Goods.

Section 1.2, 1). Inputs derived from wood and forestry products.

Question 1: There are numerous examples of legitimate, edible food ingredients derived from wood and forestry products, such as cellulose. Wood products are also used as flavoring components in certain types of foods and beverages. What are the benefits or risks of adjusting this prohibition to limit wood and forestry products while allowing those with proper food uses that meet Standard requirements?

Section 1.2, 4). Goods for sale within countries for which an application for the certification trademark has not yet been submitted.

Question 2: If changes to Section 1.2 of Version 2 (V2) of the Standard happen, and the removal of regional restrictions for enrollment due to trademark use occurs, what negative impacts, if any, do you think will be prominent?

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* Topic 2: Impact Reporting
The central purpose of the Upcycled Certified® Standard is to recognize, validate, and quantify food diverted from waste streams and, instead, retain for human consumption. As such, the focus of compliance has historically been specific to proof of diversion from waste and the annual tonnage of waste captured at that original point of diversion. Additionally, as noted in the Introduction of Version 2 (V2), the intent of the Standard is to continue to enhance the scope of this measurement to achieve a net impact metric for food waste diverted per Certified item.

To achieve this, the requirements for food waste reporting would adjust to include numerical reporting for the annual tonnage of waste captured at the original point of diversion from waste (current numerical reporting required) minus any additional annual tonnage of food waste incurred during the production of the item intended for Certification (currently no numerical reporting on this amount is required).

Question 1: What barriers do you see to achieving net food waste impact tonnage for an individual ingredient through to a finished, Certified item?

Question 2: Should extenuating circumstances, such as food safety recalls or natural disasters, that may create short term, single occurrence, or temporary food waste, be considered in this calculation, and if so, how?

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* Topic 3: Livestock and Livestock Products
The Upcycled Certified Standard Version 2 (V2) recognizes livestock feed singularly as a waste stream, as per the Food Loss and Waste Accounting and Reporting Standard Version 1 (V1) published in 2016. However, there is a desire to better understand the possibilities of recognizing instances of intentional diversion of food waste to livestock feed as the highest and best use of that waste, and the subsequent products produced as eligible for Certification. As per the 2023 EPA Wasted Food Scale and research from Environment Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the practice of feeding animals (including insects) food waste is deemed more desirable than destinations like industrial use, composting, landfilling, or incineration (Environment Climate Change Canada (ECCC), 2019; US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2023).

Additionally, food certification claims that are specific to the feedstuffs livestock consume are well established and recognized by consumers today. Examples of these include grass-fed, vegetarian fed, and non-GMO fed claims present on meat, dairy, and various animal-derived products. As such, there are numerous viable models in the marketplace today a feed-based scope could mirror within Upcycled Certified.

There is no doubt that expanding Upcycled Certified to include a livestock feed scope would be extensive. With that in mind, it is most likely that a pilot program would be initiated in 2025 to better understand the risks and opportunities with this expansion, to better inform a future Standard revision.

Question 1: Assuming a pilot is initiated, what considerations do you feel are imperative to include in the research, development, and application of the Standard in a pilot for products derived from livestock fed food waste?

If you are interested in supporting and/or possibly participating in a pilot with Upcycled Certified, please submit your information here (contact name, company name, phone number, email, text field for additional context)

Question 2: As per common industry practice, insect products are considered livestock models given intentional housing and feeding parameters to achieve consistent production of their subsequent human food products (flour, food dye, protein ingredients, etc.). As such, these products would not be eligible for consideration within the Standard until such a time when a pathway to recognize feedstuffs through to product Certification is in place. With this in mind:

Do you feel there should be an attempt to carve out a compliance pathway for insect-derived human food products based on feedstuffs consumed in Version 3 (V3) of the Standard while the broader livestock category is pursued only in pilot?

Question 3: Determining the “highest and best use” of food waste could include a variety of considerations and parameters. What metrics do you feel would be critical to evaluate in an assessment of food waste’s highest and best use?

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* Topic 4: Food Service
The current Standard is not readily available to the food service industry for engagement. There are certainly valid uses of Upcycled Certified items in food service, but a broader scope recognizing upcycling activities at food service locations does not exist.

Question 1: A pilot is likely to be initiated in 2025 to better understand the application of Upcycled Certified in the broader food service space. What do you think should be considered, valued, and of importance in a pilot?

Question 2: What barriers do you see, if any, regarding food service being included in the Upcycled Certified program?

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* Topic 5: Certified Participants
Please only complete this section if you have been or are currently a Participant in the Upcycled Certified program.

Question 1: What is the number one pain point you have experienced in the Upcycled Certified process?

Question 2: From your perspective, how well aligned are the purpose and intent of the Standard to the requirements to achieve Certification?

Question 3: What are the top 3 benefits Upcycled Certified brings to your brand?

Question 4: What do you feel is the most critical component to change or add to the next version of the Standard to retain integrity and ensure value in the marketplace?

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* Open Comment:
Please provide your feedback and comments on any component of the Standard. If possible, please include the Section of the Standard you are referencing if your comments are specific to a component or compliance element.

Upcycled Certified Standard Revision

Help Shape the Future of Upcycled Certified®: Standard Revision Feedback

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* Topic 4: Food Service The current Standard is not readily available to the food service industry for engagement. There are certainly valid uses of Upcycled Certified items in food service, but a broader scope recognizing upcycling activities at food service locations does not exist.

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* Topic 5: Certified Participants Please only complete this section if you have been or are currently a Participant in the Upcycled Certified program.

Question Title

* Open Comment: Please provide your feedback and comments on any component of the Standard. If possible, please include the Section of the Standard you are referencing if your comments are specific to a component or compliance element.

* Topic 4: Food Service
The current Standard is not readily available to the food service industry for engagement. There are certainly valid uses of Upcycled Certified items in food service, but a broader scope recognizing upcycling activities at food service locations does not exist.

* Topic 5: Certified Participants
Please only complete this section if you have been or are currently a Participant in the Upcycled Certified program.

* Open Comment:
Please provide your feedback and comments on any component of the Standard. If possible, please include the Section of the Standard you are referencing if your comments are specific to a component or compliance element.