As biodegradable materials gain traction in construction — from packaging to insulation to temporary barriers — distributors need to go beyond just stocking them. Success depends on creating internal policies that guide sourcing, stocking, sales, and disposal of these eco-forward products.
A well-documented, ERP-supported policy ensures your team knows:
Which products are biodegradable
How to handle them in the yard
What information to share with customers
How to measure their impact
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to build internal policies around biodegradable construction products and track availability across your operation.
📚 WHY POLICIES MATTER FOR BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS
Biodegradable products behave differently from traditional construction materials:
They may have shorter shelf lives
They require special handling
They’re often used in specific project types (LEED, low-impact development)
Policies ensure your team is aligned, and your ERP system reflects accurate inventory, compliance info, and education tools.
📋 KEY ELEMENTS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR POLICY
✅ 1. Product Qualification Criteria
Define what qualifies as “biodegradable” in your catalog:
Meets ASTM D6400 / D6866
Compostable within X timeframe
Made from renewable or organic materials
Vendor provides biodegradability certification
📦 Tag these attributes in your ERP system per SKU.
✅ 2. Vendor Requirements
Only stock biodegradable products from suppliers who:
Provide disposal instructions
Offer compliance documentation
Are certified through known programs (OK Compost, USDA BioPreferred, etc.)
📲 Store vendor certs in their ERP profile and attach to related SKUs.
✅ 3. Storage and Handling Procedures
Outline how biodegradable materials should be:
Stored (away from moisture, UV, or extreme temps)
Labeled in the warehouse
Protected from premature breakdown
🏷️ Include bin location and handling notes in your ERP warehouse module.
✅ 4. Sales and Education Workflow
Train sales staff to:
Recommend biodegradable alternatives for eligible projects
Explain how products break down and what the benefits are
Provide disposal guidance
🧠 Use your ERP to add talking points to SKUs and quotes.
✅ 5. Availability and Inventory Strategy
Define:
Which yards will stock these items
Minimum stocking levels
Auto-replenishment or seasonal demand patterns
📊 Track inventory turnover and adoption rates inside your ERP.
📈 POLICY IN ACTION: ERP INTEGRATION TIPS
Add a “Biodegradable” toggle or tag to applicable SKUs
Use automated alerts when biodegradable stock is nearing expiration
Create custom fields for certification status and breakdown time
Run quarterly reports to measure adoption, usage, and sales performance
🏁 FINAL THOUGHTS
Biodegradable products are great — but only when you build the structure to support them. With clear internal policies and the right ERP tools, you can offer a cleaner, smarter, more sustainable product lineup that fits both jobsite goals and customer expectations.
📞 Want help setting up biodegradable tracking and storage workflows in your ERP? Let’s build it together.
