Biodegradable and Compostable Packaging solutions

With a lot of people looking for alternatives to relying on normal recycling and lowering their environmental impact, some people wonder where they can go.

One way is biodegradable, or compostable packaging. Biodegradable is a type of packaging where it naturally breaks down.   This can be bioplastics and other items that might not be compostable due to how it interacts with the soil, but it is able to be disposed of accordingly.

In contrast, compostable packaging means that it can be thrown into the compost, and when it breaks down, a lot of times it offers unique nutrients to the soil.   When it exudes this, it then, in turn, will help the soil by providing critical nutrients. Some people have compost piles in their backyard, or in their community. Some go to an industrial compost, tossing all of that and from there allowing them to handle the composting matters. 

This is a new type of packaging, and it’s become super popular because of how useful it is to customers, and offers a unique way to be eco-friendly with the items that they toss. 

Materials and elements of Biodegradable Packaging 

The main factors here are that you use natural and plant-based materials for this.   elements such as cellulose, cornstarch, even bamboo are quite common. These are made with plant materials that are able to naturally break down, and won’t need any chemical coatings.

The packaging is then designed to be composted or decomposed. With this, there’s no additives or chemicals treated on this. Patrol inks are not recommended, because that gets in the soil and adds toxic chemicals. The same goes for lamination, as this is not used either.   The materials may also be a natural plastic that’s been manufactured, but is safe for the ground.

Reduction of Waste in Many Ways 

This type of packaging does reduce the water in many regards. With the ocean filling up and having a lot of added chemicals and extras, it can definitely pose a problem.   Using this type of packaging keeps your waste out of the ocean, and also adds more peace of mind.

It also is good for brands as well. if you mention you’re biodegradable, you’ll be able to naturally break all of these down, and you have a focus on sustainability, people flock to that. a lot of times, people will choose your brand over others, simply because of your dedication to being sustainable and biodegradable. 

The Challenges 

The biggest challenge with this is that you’re going to run into the issue that some of these items may not be as sustainable to source. This is especially the case if you’re struggling to make your packaging biodegradable.

The other thing is addressing the misconceptions about items that are compostable and biodegradable, and also making sure that customers do dispose of this accordingly. Remember, your packaging can be as great as can be, but if people aren’t tossing it away accordingly, it’s going to just be a waste of time.

Finally, there is also the disposal systems, which also does play a part in the overall way to address misconceptions. Not all products like this can just be easily tossed away. it requires more complex systems, and if you don’t know this, you can’t get the most benefits of this.

But compostable and biodegradable packaging do work, and some brands have effectively adopted it, especially in food service and consumer goods. Through this, the materials broke down, and the performance was better, provided they appropriately labeled the way to dispose of all of these items in their own way.