What is Biodegradable Packaging – Detail Guide

Posted May 18, 2023 Biodegradable Packaging

Did you know biodegradability is a packaging material feature that can change the environment forever? The thing is, this feature ensures packaging materials do not become a problem for the environment forever. So, the better you can use this material, the more it will improve our surroundings and the planet.

This is why people in developed countries like the United States are increasingly concerned about this packaging material feature. In this article, we will discuss packaging materials that offer such features. Also, you can read about the future of such materials and what innovations will come.

At the same time, you learn the pros of such materials, why people care about them, and how their market is bound to grow bigger and bigger.

What Is Biodegradable Packaging?

The biodegradability of a packaging product is the feature that ensures the eco-friendliness of the material. This feature means that the packaging will decompose and degenerate in natural conditions. The faster your packaging material dissolves and degenerates in a natural condition, the better its quality will be.

Some facts about biodegradable material:

  • Biodegradable packaging material can be compostable too.
  • Compostable material can be disposed of in compost bins which may not apply to every biodegradable material.
  • Bacteria and other factors decompose such material.
  • Temperature and oxygen are two other factors affecting the speed of packaging materials’ biodegradability.

These facts make such materials a great choice for packaging owing to their eco-friendly solutions.

What Are Biodegradable Materials in Packaging?

Biodegradable products are materials that do not stay in the environment long and decompose sooner. The benefit of this decomposition is that it saves the earth from waste that can harm beings like sea creatures. So, any packaging material that breaks down easily in a natural environment comes under the umbrella term of biodegradable.

At the same time, such products take little space for a long when disposed of. So they will not stay in a landfill or any other place you waste them for years.

Next, we will discuss what biodegradable packaging is made of and the best choices you can use.

Common Benefits of Biodegradable Materials

The main benefit of such products is their ability to replace plastic production and help the environment. These materials also work well for multiple products, including food, which makes it a great choice.

Types of Biodegradable Packaging Materials

There is a large range of products that contain this feature, and so we have a long list you can find:

  • Cardboard
  • Paper
  • Recycled cardboard
  • Corrugated bubble wrap
  • Corn Starch
  • Hemp
  • Bio-plastics
  • Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
  • Water-Soluble Plastic
  • Organic Fabric
  • Fossil-Based Polymer
  • Bamboo
  • Seaweed packaging
  • Mushroom packaging
  • Acid-Free Tissue Paper
  • Kraft Paper

Top Biodegradable Packaging Materials

Biodegradability is a major thing we are looking for in the materials we will discuss. So, we will discuss materials that can bring you more results:

Cardboard Biodegradability And Features

So, here is some features cardboard carries when it comes to biodegradability. Also, we will discuss other relevant points:

  • It is one of the few 100% recyclable and biodegradable materials.
  • The material would minimally take a year to completely fade away in a natural condition.
  • When it comes to cardboard, you can also recycle it.
  • At the same time, cardboard is great for recycled material. So, the product’s quality stays amazing even if you recycle it.
  • When we decompose the material, it leaves no harmful toxins. It even can be disposed of as a compost material.
  • At the same time, the material comes from a plant, which means it may not be that harmful.
  • Moreover, it is a material that only takes a little energy when you recycle it.
  • The material also comes from grass, reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
  • At the same time, products made of cardboard can offer better printing results.
  • If you create cardboard from grass, it can be allergy-free as well.

We know that cardboard packaging can make a great difference and improve the environment.

Cornstarch Packaging Features

Well, newer technologies are making a huge impact, and you can see cornstarch among these. There is a huge range of benefits you can get with cornstarch, like:

  • It is a perfect material that suits food products as well.
  • You can use it where you need UV resistance and protection against smell issues.
  • At the same time, it is less flammable.
  • It is a material safe for living beings even when consumed.
  • Moreover, you can regrind it to recycle.

So, these cornstarch features can make your job easier and help you give a safe and useful product.

Corrugated Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is another beneficial material you can use for your products. Here are some reasons to try it:

  • A big reason to use bubble wrap is its ability to be recycled.
  • It is among the materials available in multiple forms and also carries lightweight.
  • Moreover, it is a material that would cost you little.
  • You can use it in multiple products because it shapes and fits every product type.

Bioplastics

When it comes to bioplastics, they carry some amazing features you can use. At the same time, it won’t cause as much greenhouse gas emission as others. Another benefit of bioplastics for the environment is that it is decomposable.

One thing to remember for this purpose is that it works if you need to avoid high water consumption during its production. Another benefit of this material is that you can also use it for food product packaging.

Kraft Paper Features

Kraft paper is another amazing material that helps you with biodegradability and other benefits. It offers strength and resistance against folding. Here are some other benefits it offers:

  • You can recycle kraft paper.
  • It offers a great visual appeal for the customers.
  • This material can stand against moisture conditions.

These features are better than a host of other materials in the market. So, using this one can help you get benefits others can not provide.

Future Of Biodegradable Packaging

The future belongs to products with biodegradable materials so biodegradable packaging materials can be a real difference. The use of some futuristic materials can change the whole industry landscape.

  • Regarding the future of packaging, bio-based plastics will be a big trend.
  • Using biodegradable materials can also help improve antimicrobial properties to help save against certain harmful pathogens for food packaging.
  • Active packaging can also help you as commercial packaging materials for food products.

Biodegradable Polymers And The Future

Biodegradability is the future of packaging, and several materials come with this feature. Biodegradable mulch films are among the top materials in this department.

The experts believe that humans need to change their mindset about plastics to ensure getting biodegradable features in packaging. At the same time, bioplastics allow companies to recycle products into new ones. The thing is, bioplastics can help with biodegradability, and you can also recycle them.

Moreover, animal products for packaging materials can be a great solution. The thing is, using tissues from living materials would be the future of packaging. What scientists are trying to do is to get them from plant sources and not animals.

This way, new materials will be seen in the biodegradable world. Here are some common types of biodegradable products you can find:

  • Alginate
  • Chitosan
  • Carrageenan

These are some common types of biodegradable packaging materials in the industry. Another trend in the sector is that you can improve their anti-viral properties when you use additives. Moreover, the use of natural oils can help improve your sustainability factor.

At the same time, these materials will be safe and will not cause a lot of harm to the environment. Essential oil, plant-based plastics, and biopolymers can help against viruses.

Moreover, nanotechnology for packaging in this sector is another thing that will change how things go. These products will also help improve the sustainability factor for packaging products.

Top Biodegradable Packaging Materials For Cosmetics

Regarding packaging materials for cosmetics, there are some common biodegradable options.

Bamboo For Cosmetic Products

Bamboo is a great material due to its ability to degrade naturally. At the same time, it is a renewable packaging material sourced from nature. Moreover, it offers durability with amazing sturdiness for packaging needs.

When you use bamboo, you do not have to worry about the hygiene issues other materials would cause. It is among the best solutions owing to its cost-effectiveness and ability to grow rapidly. When cultivating bamboo, you do not have to spend a lot of resources like water or land.

It does not need pesticides for growth, and you can add it to your house compost bin. Bamboo offers eco-friendly effects as it consumes double the carbon dioxide of other plants. At the same time, it would not need any chemical help to grow.

Its hygiene levels are also good due to its properties, and there is no need for any process to make it hygienic. At the same time, you can use them for cosmetic packaging with fewer bucks spent.

Beeswax Packaging For Cosmetics

Beeswax is a great material that allows you to save money with its reusability. So, finding something you can use multiple times means you do not have to spend on new products. Also:

  • The material is compostable at home, so you do not have to worry about it causing pollution.
  • At the same time, it is a simple material to use.
  • It is considered among the economical solutions.
  • This material can also help save your products against unwanted things like mold.
  • At the same time, it offers antimicrobial properties to help anything packed inside it.

Seaweed Packaging

Seaweed packaging material is a great alternative to many options that do not provide help for the environment. So, here are some reasons to use seaweed as a biodegradable packaging:

  • The material is a great alternative to plastics and works as a solution against world pollution.
  • When you use seaweed for packaging, there is no need to worry about ending up in landfills.
  • Conventional plastics cause a huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the environment, and seaweed can help against that.
  • At the same time, this packaging is edible, making things easier for you.

These facts make the material a great choice against options that can harm the environment.

Biodegradable Packaging For Food

Food packaging is among the industries that are very vigilant in selecting materials. So, it is important to ensure your product stays safe with packaging and helps it survive with a good shelf life. At the same time, it should protect your food physically and against environmental factors also essential and crucial.

Protein-Based Bioplastic Materials

Protein-based bioplastics carry properties that can help improve results, like:

  • Oxygen barrier properties play an important role in your food packaging, and these materials can provide that.
  • These materials offer antioxidative properties to help food with better quality.
  • At the same time, it offers protection against microbes.

These facts make this bioplastic type a perfect material for food products.

Seaweed For Food Packaging

Seaweed is among the top materials you can use for food owing to its antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. Using certain polymers in the material is also a possibility where you can adapt to the industry you are making it for.

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Steve Harsh
Steve Harsh, a packaging and printing expert who has been working in the field for over a decade. It has been my privilege to write on this topic, which I have been doing for years to help people learn about this essential field that helps millions achieve their business goals.

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