Dec. 16, 2024
Plastic packaging materials like parcels, stickers, and polythene bags account for 42% of all plastic produced worldwide.
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Unfortunately, it has a very short usability lifetime (typically around 6 months or less). This is where businesses can take advantage of alternative solutions, like compostable packaging.
In fact, compostable packaging has the potential to extend the end-of-life performance of packaging materials.
Compostable packaging is a form of packaging made from various natural materials such as sugar cane, corn starch, potato starch, and wood pulp.
It is a popular sustainable packaging option because microorganisms can break down compostable materials into compost, a valuable fertilizer that enriches plants and soil. This helps reduce a large portion of plastic pollution by driving it away from waterways and landfills.
With home composting, the decomposition of organic waste into compost may take up to 180 days, but industrial composting facilities can decrease this time to 3 months.
In this article, we&#;ll cover everything you need to know about compostable packaging.
Traditional packaging options can be extremely wasteful and harm ecosystems. For that reason, it&#;s important to invest in compostable packaging options that are right for your product and logistics.
Fortunately, several packaging solutions are compostable. These include:
Cardboard and paper: Cardboard made from organic materials can be composted by simply putting it into a compost pile. Only add clean cardboard to compost bins because cardboard treated with chemicals can contaminate the compost and decrease its value.
A compostable cardboard box from EcoEnclose costs between $0.62 and $3.17, depending on the box dimensions.
DimensionsPrice 4" x 4" x 4"$0.62 8" x 8" x 4"$1.89 12" x 10" x 5"$3.17
Bubble wrap: Plant-based bubble wrap rolls are more eco-friendly than the traditional PE plastic ones. Compostable bubble wraps are made up of cornstarch polylactic acid polymers (PLA), and they can be completely degraded within 90 to 180 days.
A 50cm x 50cm roll compostable bubble wrap roll costs around $49.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch packaging materials are a viable alternative to styrofoam and plastics. They are developed from bio-based plastics, like PLA, that can be turned into nutrient-rich biomass through composting.
A compostable cornstarch bag costs between $0.10 to $0.40.
In addition, other eco-friendly packaging options are available for parcel shipping, such as Kraft paper rolls, postal tubes, tissue paper, and compostable mailers and envelopes.
You may have heard more about biodegradable materials in the past few years, and how we should all be looking to reduce our use of traditional plastics and instead seek to use biodegradable materials when possible. But, what exactly does biodegradable mean? What are the benefits of biodegradable bags? Should your business switch to biodegradable bags? This article explains everything about biodegradable bags and their advantages for the environment.
The strict definition of a biodegradable material according to the Cambridge Dictionary is a substance or object that is &#;able to decay naturally and in a way that is not harmful.&#;
In other words, if something is biodegradable, then eventually it will break down into smaller pieces by microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi.
It can be a little confusing though since there is no time limit on how long it must take before a biodegradable material needs to break down by. That is the main difference between compostable and biodegradable plastics. And an important consideration to take into account when choosing biodegradable bags for your business.
Find out more about the differences between biodegradable, compostable and recyclable materials.
Are you interested in learning more about Biodegradable Takeaway Bags Supplier? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Through continued research, development, and field trials, Polystar is proud to be one of the key independent specialist UK manufacturers able to produce this product which is a 100% compostable material made from a blend of co-polyester and PLA (sugar cane).
Our fully biodegradable, compostable bags and film are 100% compostable, as well as this Polystar&#;s biodegradable bags&#; key features, include the following:
Fully recyclable
Equivalent strength and weight compared to traditional plastic
Leakproof
Degrades on land or sea
As you can see, there is no compromise in quality when it comes to using biodegradable bags, but what further advantages are there? There are multiple benefits to choosing biodegradable bags, here we&#;ve created a list of the top seven reasons why you should choose biodegradable packaging products for your business.
Polystar&#;s unique biodegradable material is made from PLA bioplastic. As this is plant-based, the manufacturing process produces far fewer carbon emissions than traditional plastic. While traditional plastic releases four tons of emissions, biodegradable plastics emit only 0.8 tons of carbon &#; a 500% reduction!
Currently, the UK generates over 30 million tonnes of household waste every year, approximately 35% of which is garden and kitchen waste. As biodegradable plastics break down over time, this means there is a large reduction in the volume of waste being created which means less waste ending up in landfill. With less wastage taking up space in landfills, the outcome is less overall waste to manage. Saving land for other purposes and preserving the beauty of our planet.
The oils that come from plants make bioplastics far superior materials compared to traditional plastic types. The oils make the surface of bioplastics more malleable and less brittle so that it&#;s easier to form new shapes and textures.
They are just as moldable as traditional plastics and can be turned into various appealing ways to suit your requirements. In addition to this, they can also be recycled and repurposed multiple times in their life cycle.
Compare this to some non-biodegradable plastics, they are not safe for repurposing because some materials can leak toxic, dangerous chemicals that may leak after the first use. Since biodegradable bags and packaging come from natural materials found in nature, there are no dangerous chemicals or toxins in these items.
As biodegradable products break down naturally, they eventually decompose and are consumed by soil and other natural components. This natural process means no forced chemical reaction needs to take place to kickstart the process and less pollution will happen as a result.
Given that they take a lot less time to decompose than traditional plastics, they are easy to recycle, that&#;s too without releasing toxic elements.
Biodegradable bags are made from natural materials which means that they are safer for users.
Traditional plastics are made with harmful by-products and chemicals which are a threat to the environment and life as well. They are likely to emit these harmful substances during the breakdown process. What&#;s more, the plastic used for most standard water bottles, PET, can attract harmful bacteria or even leak chemicals.
But this is not a case with biodegradable plastic, further supporting the case for biodegradable plastics. They are safe and don&#;t release toxins during their breakdown process. They are absorbed by the soil.
Biodegradable plastics also minimises the use of petroleum supplies. Traditional plastic is manufactured by oil molecules being heated and treated to convert into polymers.
Nearly 2.7 per cent of a country&#;s petroleum is used in the traditional plastic manufacturing processes.
Biodegradable plastics, on the other hand, are made using natural materials such as sugar cane, corn, orange peels, starch, and plants. This process requires far less energy and usually does not involve the burning of fossil fuels.
Therefore, this means that the amount of biodegradable plastics that can be manufactured is much higher while simultaneously using far less energy. So, as well as using less precious resources, there is less pollution being produced. By reducing the production of traditional plastics and making more biodegradable plastics instead, we can reallocate oil resources to other causes like heating and transport.
Another benefit of biodegradable bags is the positive effect it can have for your brand. Major corporations such as Coca-Cola are using bioplastic products due to its sustainable reputation. Choosing greener options can have a positive impact on your brand alongside helping the environment.
So as demonstrated, there are many benefits of using biodegradable products. They are safe for the environment and their use should be encouraged. However, the need for plastic usage awareness and education regarding their repurposing is necessary as wise use can make a difference.
If you are interested in sourcing, greener packaging alternatives we&#;d love to hear from you. Please call us on or contact us online to take advantage of our free consultation service and see how much you could save.
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