Get Your Products LFGTE Certified Today
Ensure your products meet top landfill gas-to-energy standards and drive meaningful impact.
Our Step-by-Step Certification Process
Material Composition Groups & Certification Overview
LFGTE Certification applies to Material Composition Groups, meaning materials with the same base formulation (e.g., polymer type, additives, and biodegradability properties) are evaluated as a group rather than individual product variations.
-
If your company produces multiple products using the same material composition (e.g., different sizes or thicknesses of the same plastic blend), they can be certified under one Material Composition Group.
-
One representative product from the group must be tested to validate biodegradation and methane recovery performance.
-
If the material formulation changes, retesting may be required to maintain certification.
Step 1: Complete the Confidentiality Agreement & Submit Pre-Assessment Form
Before submitting your Material Composition Group for certification, both parties must sign a Confidentiality Agreement to ensure that all product details, test data, and proprietary information remain protected.
How to Complete the CDA & Inquiry Form
-
Download and sign the Confidentiality Agreement (CDA).
-
Fill out the Pre-Assessment Form with your company details.
Step 2: Application & Submission
-
Once your signed CDA and Inquiry Form are received, LFGTE Certified will review and countersign the CDA within 1-2 business days.
-
After the CDA is fully executed, you will receive the LFGTE Certification Submission Form via email.
-
To start the certification process, applicants must check the eligibility checklist and submit the required documentation, including details on their Material Composition Group.
Step 3: Pay Application Fee & Sign Certification Agreement
-
Once your submission is reviewed and approved for further processing, you will receive an invoice for payment.
-
Payment must be completed before the certification review proceeds to the next stage.
-
Submit payment based on the Material Composition Group you are certifying
-
Sign the LFGTE Certification Agreement, acknowledging adherence to testing requirements and compliance guidelines.
Step 4: Submit Product for Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) Test
-
One product sample from your Material Composition Group must be submitted for Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) testing.
-
LFGTE Certified will facilitate testing through its partnered laboratories.
-
The BMP Test evaluates the anaerobic biodegradation potential and methane recovery performance of your material under landfill conditions.
Notes:
-
Certification applies to all products within the Material Composition Group, meaning variations in size, thickness, or minor format differences do not require separate testing.
-
If the formulation changes, retesting may be required.
Step 5: Review Period
-
The certification team will review all submitted documents and BMP test results.
-
Estimated turnaround time: 90 days.
-
Additional information may be requested if the submission is incomplete.
Approval:
-
Approved Material Composition Groups receive a unique certification number and licensing rights for the LFGTE Certification Mark.
-
Companies gain rights to use the certification mark on packaging and promotional materials for all products within the certified material group.
Rejection:
-
Applicants receive detailed feedback with actionable recommendations for resubmission.
Step 6: ​Approval & Certification Issuance
-
Once approved, the Material Composition Group will receive official LFGTE Certification.
-
The company will be issued a certificate of compliance.
-
The company may only use the LFGTE Certified seal, stamp, and label if the annual licensing fee is paid and the certification remains active.
​Certification remains valid for three years, subject to:
-
Annual licensing fee to maintain active status.
-
Material Composition Group renewal fee
-
Retesting if the product formulation changes to ensure continued compliance with biodegradability and methane recovery benchmarks.
*Certification is based on submitted data and specific testing standards. Refer to our full disclaimer for details.
Are Your Products Eligible?
To qualify for LFGTE Certification, products must have undergone third-party testing to demonstrate compatibility with landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) systems. We recognize two primary testing standards:
ASTM D5526 – Standard Test for Evaluating Anaerobic Biodegradation in Landfills
​
-
Measures the rate and extent of plastic biodegradation under realistic landfill conditions with limited oxygen.
-
Simulates long-term waste management environments, providing the most accurate representation of how materials break down in an actively managed landfill.
-
Results indicate how much of the material degrades and how quickly, making this the gold standard for LFGTE compatibility.
ASTM D5511 – Standard Test for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation Under High-Solids Conditions
​
-
ASTM D5511 measures biodegradation in idealized, accelerated anaerobic conditions, which differ from standard landfill environments.
-
A Biomethane Potential (BMP) test must accompany ASTM D5511 to confirm that the material generates methane output, ensuring it contributes to landfill gas-to-energy recovery. If BMP testing is required, we can facilitate this process through our partnered laboratories.
ISO 15985 – Landfill Gas-to-Energy Compatibility Testing
-
ISO 15985 is an internationally recognized test method that evaluates the anaerobic breakdown of plastics under high-solids digestion conditions, simulating real-world landfill environments where waste is converted into energy.
-
This test measures:
-
Material degradation in anaerobic conditions similar to those found in landfill gas recovery systems.
-
Methane and carbon dioxide production, verifying the material’s ability to contribute to landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) systems.
-
-
ISO 15985 is particularly relevant for plastics designed to function within existing landfill infrastructure, ensuring they decompose in a way that supports methane generation and energy recovery.
Certification & Licensing Package Includes:
-
Compliance Verification – Ensures the products meet ASTM D5526, ASTM D5511, or ISO 15985 standards.
-
Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) Testing
-
Use of the LFGTE Certified Mark on marketing & packaging
-
Listing on LFGTECertified.org to increase visibility as an industry leader
-
Marketing & consulting support to position certified products effectively
-
Regulatory compliance & documentation assistance for certification claims
-
Industry advocacy & legislative support to align products with landfill gas-to-energy initiatives
-
Exclusive access to LFGTE-certified networks
Begin the Certification Process
Before we begin the certification process, we require a signed Confidentiality Agreement (CDA) to ensure that all product details, test data, and proprietary information remain protected. Along with the CDA, please submit the Pre-Assessment Form to provide initial details about your company and product(s).
Next Steps
Once you have completed the Pre-Assessment & Confidentiality Submission Form, our team will review your information and follow up via email with the LFGTE Certification Application.
-
Your Confidentiality Agreement (CDA) will be reviewed and countersigned within 1-2 business days.
-
Once finalized, you will receive the LFGTE Certification Application to provide detailed product and testing information.
-
Our team will be available to assist with any questions during the application process.
We're Here to Help
Whether you’re looking to start the certification process, learn more about LFGTE compatibility, or explore partnership opportunities, our team is ready to assist.