What is Biodegradable Packaging? Essential Guide

Biodegradable packaging is considered an important way to solve the problem of plastic pollution, but to say that it can “save the planet” may be overstated. However, it is indisputable that it does provide a good solution for reducing environmental pollution.

Definition of Biodegradable Packaging

Biodegradable packaging generally refers to all plastics that microorganisms can degrade into harmless materials like water or carbon dioxide under natural environmental conditions, such as soil, water, and air. Such biodegradable packaging bags decompose over a relatively shorter time than normal ones, preventing their prolonged retention and accumulation in the environment and reducing pollution.

Furthermore, by using biodegradable packaging, people may be able to challenge themselves to improve their awareness about environmental protection so that they will pay more attention to issues surrounding plastic pollution and, therefore, become proactive in ways to help participate in environmental protection, such as reducing plastic consumption or increasing its utilization.

Classification of Biodegradable Packaging

Bio-based degradable materials

• Source: Mainly from plant extracts, such as corn starch, cassava, cellulose, etc.
• Characteristics: It can be rapidly degraded under industrial composting conditions. Some can even be completely degraded in home composting, with good biocompatibility and degradability.
• Applications: Food packaging, daily chemical product packaging, agricultural film, disposable tableware, etc.

Petroleum-based degradable materials

• Source: Raw materials are processed by special chemical techniques and decomposed by natural microorganisms under certain conditions.
• Properties: polylactic acid can be completely degraded into water and carbon dioxide under certain conditions.

Photodegradable materials

• Properties: It can make organic compounds decompose into carbon dioxide, water, and other small molecules under the action of light, but it may take a longer time to decompose.

Water-soluble materials:

• Properties: some packaging materials can dissolve automatically in water.
• Uses: capsule shell of medicines, outer packing of detergent beads for washing clothes, etc.

Advantages of Biodegradable Packaging

Sustainable environment

Biodegradable packaging bags can be disposed of to form organic matter, carbon dioxide, and water in natural environments, there these substances would not only pollute the environment but also relieve environmental pressure.

Recyclable resources

Plant fiber, one of the renewable sources of many biodegradable materials, will help reduce dependence on fossil fuels as well as encourage the sustainable use of resources.

Less landfill waste:

Biodegradable materials can eventually end up being composted, which automatically reduces the pressure on landfills.

Enhances the corporate brand image:

Adoption of environmentally friendly packaging by the corporation can boost their brand image, increase consumer loyalty, and most importantly, trust by the consumers.

Application of Biodegradable Packaging

• Biodegradable envasado de alimentos: In the field of biodegradable packaging materials, biodegradable packaging bags, and biodegradable pouches can be reflected in fruit and vegetable bags, disposable tableware, and beverage bottles. For instance, beverage cups and straws made from PLA material become the first choice for a lot of high-end catering companies.
• Consumer goods: packaging for personal care products, cleaning products, etc.
• Logistics and transportation: It is also possible to use biodegradable materials in the packaging of express packaging and cushioning materials, which reduces plastic pollutants and increases logistics efficiency.

The Prospect of Biodegradable Packaging in The Future

With the advance of material science, its application prospects will be quite broad.

• Technological innovation: Reduce the cost and improve performance by improving the production process and the formulations of biodegradable material so that they can be applied on a large scale.
• Policy support: The government can support enterprises that use biodegradable materials through the formulation of relevant policies and standards and increase investment in research and development.
• Consumer education: Enhance consumers’ knowledge about the effect of biodegradable packaging on environmental protection, and increase their awareness and acceptance, so that consumers consciously choose products with biodegradable packaging when purchasing any product.
• Recycling system: A perfect recycling and treatment system can ensure that biodegradable packaging is handled to avoid secondary pollution.

As a new environmentally friendly packaging solution, the biodegradable packaging material in life gradually changes our lifestyles. With continuous social progress the rapid development of material science and the gradual increase in people’s awareness of environmental protection, biodegradable packaging will bid farewell to traditional packaging methods and be applied to our lives widely.

View the difference between biodegradable and recyclable packaging.