The present invention provides solvent-based compostable cold seal release lacquers for use in packaging structures. The lacquers of the invention comprise resins, such as polyamide resins, comprising greater than 90% biobased carbon, generally prepared from renewable sources, e.g., plants such as rice. The present invention also provides the use of the inventive compostable lacquers as cold seal release lacquers in cold seal packaging, along with eco-friendly packaging film, etc., and has the potential to make the cold seal packaging fully compostable.