Biodegradable packaging is supposedly a form of packaging that disintegrates and decomposes naturally. The term ’biodegradable’ is typically used for any kind of sustainable packaging material that breaks down naturally in an unspecified period of time.
So, going by this definition, anything ranging from a wooden box to a cellulose-based wrapper is biodegradable. The only difference is the wrapper is bio-degradable within a few weeks whereas the wood takes decades or even centuries to biodegrade. Let’s dig deeper and explore how biodegradable packaging can help you boost your sales.
Key Role of Biodegradable Packaging in Sales
Now, let’s discuss the key role of biodegradable packaging in your sales. As customers are becoming more environmentally conscious, they are actively seeking out sustainable and eco-friendly products. Providing those customers biodegradable packaging products you demonstrate your commitment to the environment. Below are listed how biodegradable packaging can help boosing your sales.
Cost-Effective Alternative
By deciding to work with a custom packaging company that specializes in sustainable packaging, you can massively reduce shipping costs. These custom packaging companies tend to work with the brand that creates smarter packaging. Reducing the size of the product to have a custom fit for your product aids in reducing the raw materials that are used to create that packaging. Also, biodegradable packaging is easier and quicker to biodegrade.
Using the biodegradable alternative will help you with substantial weight savings in turn lowering transportation costs. Bioplastics weigh less than petroleum-based plastics. However, you look at it; it will help you save weight and money.
Enhanced Brand Image
Today, the world pays close attention to environmental issues, waste problems, and pollution and the best of us like to play our part. However, making a huge impact requires us to take a great amount of effort. So, isn’t it better if brand production does the job for us? By simply switching the brand we can make a great deal of impact towards saving the planet.
Spreading awareness regarding eco-friendly packaging lets your consumers be more trusting of your brand. By earning trust and loyalty, you can easily boost your sales.
Increased Promotional & Marketing Opportunities
The brand strength automatically increases as you choose bio-degradable and recyclable materials. Eventually, the younger generations are growing to be more conscious and aware of the impact of our actions on the environment. So for long-term growth, and increased promotional and marketing opportunities; it is better if you switch to bio-degradable packaging.
Eco-friendly packaging creates an overall good impression of your brand. It showcases that your company cares about the environment and is quite a responsible company. Studies have shown that 78% of consumers between the ages of 18 to 72 have a positive attitude toward a product manufacturer whose packaging contains recycled materials. Biodegradable packaging will not only help you reach more consumers but also build loyal brand advocates.
What Is Biodegradable Packaging?
Before we understand the benefits of biodegradable packaging, we need to understand what biodegradable packaging is. Biodegradable Takeaway Containers refers to packaging material that is made out of biopolymers. The bio-polymers are the organic compounds like cellulose and proteins that are found in living organisms.
There are numerous types of biodegradable packaging. Most of these are made out of plant-based materials. The most common types of biodegradable packaging include wood, cardboard, and paper. The process of manufacturing these packaging includes cutting down trees, however, unlike oil, trees are a renewable source of energy and can be replanted. Other forms of biodegradable packaging come in form of bioplastics.
These are a set of polymers that are derived from renewable raw materials including; cellulose, starch, soy, lactic acid, and other plant matters. These materials decompose into the water, carbon dioxide, and biomass permitting them to rejoin nature once done with them. You can simply put them inside your compost or food waste bins for easy disposal. Now, when we think about biodegradable or green we automatically assume the packaging is going to be boring. However, there are several companies that make unique biodegradable packaging offering the design teams that will work hand-in-hand to develop this unique packagings.
How To Identify If A Package Is Biodegradable?
It is fairly simple to figure out if the packaging is biodegradable. Look for the packages that are certified, and marked” compostable”. Packages that are marked compostable safely biodegrade in a commercial or even home compost environment.
This certification reassures that the packaging will completely and safely decompose under definite conditions and a pre-defined time frame. Biodegradable packaging is mostly thought to be made out of bio-based or plant-based materials however that is not the truth, Biodegradability depends upon the molecular structure and the strength of the material’s polymer chain rather than the source. To fully biodegrade, the polymer structure that makes up the material should be able to disintegrate or break down into tiny little pieces that will eventually be safely digested by the microorganisms. This means that biodegradable packaging can be made out of bio-based and fossil-based polymers.
What Are The Types Of Biodegradable Packaging?
Here we present to you a list of the most renowned biodegradable packaging materials that are currently available in the market. You might select from any of these depending on your product packaging needs.
Cardboard
Cardboard is a great biodegradable alternative to plastic packaging as it can fully break down in about 2-3 months. The cardboard packaging takes up less space when stored and most cardboard boxes are easily collapsible and filters can be flattened out as well. Cardboards come from trees that can be replanted and are easily recyclable and decompose naturally. Traditional plastic, on the other hand, is made out of oil and is quite difficult to recycle as well and it never breaks down. If we compare plastic packaging and cardboard, the result is ultimately surprising.
The price point is another deal-breaking difference between cardboard packaging and plastic packaging. Cardboard is generally cheaper and more affordable than plastic packaging.
Paper
Paper packaging is something we associate with food shopping and lush cosmetics. Paper is one of the oldest forms of flexible packaging that is used in protecting delicate items that are of value.
Now swing tickets and packaging can be produced using recycled papers or sourced from sustainable forests. You no longer have to settle for something eco-friendly that has a grainy and inexpensive feel. With today’s different finishes and printing techniques, you can create compelling designs that are kind to the environment and a selling point.
Paper can be a strong material once compacted, which is ideal for helping delicate garments keep their shape. It’s also a great alternative to polyethylene air pillows, which might take up less space on the warehouse floor but require more work for the consumer to recycle. In contrast, paper is easy to recycle.
Corn Starch
Corn starch packaging is another suitable alternative to petroleum-based products. The cornstarch packaging is made out of maize plants and is totally biodegradable. The primal disadvantage of cornstarch packaging is that it competes with animals and plants that consume corn as food. Corn starch packaging allows businesses the opportunity to brand their packaging without causing any direct harm to the environment. And offering a high-quality consumer experience.
Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
Packing peanuts or styrofoam serves as a loose-fill packaging for fragile items that provides cushioning against shocks and also prevents items from moving. However, most of these packing peanuts are made out of natural materials including starch and wheat which makes them easily decomposable. Usually, biodegradable packing peanuts are lighter and comparatively less expensive than styrofoam.
The bio-degradable packing peanuts are made out of naturally derived starches like cornstarch and wheat. Fully plant-based biodegradable packing peanuts dissolve in water which makes it impossible for them to wind up polluting water bodies, lakes, oceans, and rivers.
Water Soluble Plastic
Plastic packagings are beneficial in shipping items that require sturdy packaging and can also support heavy loads. So, bioplastics are a great alternative for boosting your eco-credentials even when plastics are necessary for shipping items.
Bio-Plastics are 100% eco-friendly and biodegradable as well. They are made out of parts of plants like; corn, cassava, and sugarcane. These biodegradable plastics are most commonly used in food packaging and can easily replace the regular packaging material that you use currently.
Organic Fabric
Plastic bags are stapled massively impacting the environment. There is a large percentage of businesses that use plastic packaging that ends up polluting the environment. A great alternative to plastic bags is organic reusable bags.
Organic fabrics are made out of biodegradable materials such as; plant-based, naturally grown cotton that is easily composted without leaving harmful toxins behind. Other materials include tapioca, hemp, and palm leaves and these take about 100 days to decompose. Also, there are a lot many other uses for these fabrics besides bags if you can get a little creative.
Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the entire world it does not require pesticides which means that they have a lower environmental impact and are completely renewable. Bamboo is heat resilient and resistant, making it an exceptional material for food packaging.
Due to its durability, many companies are now turning to bamboo as an alternative to wood products. It’s also completely compostable within two to six months.
Acid-Free Tissue Paper
An acid-free tissue paper is composed of materials that have a relatively higher PH value than traditional paper which makes it less likely to break over time. Instead of Lingin and sulfur, the acid-free tissue paper consists of alkalines like calcium carbonates to neutralize the tissue paper further resulting in a longer shelf-life. Acid-free tissue papers are safer alternatives for foods and delicate items. Since it is not going to negatively impact any product that has eco-friendly wrappers or protects.
Tissue paper that is made without chemicals performs similarly to regular tissue paper minus the environmental cost that comes with it later. If the tissue paper is acid -free it guarantees healthier biodegradability when composted and can be easily recycled and reused along with other materials.
A stunning design on tissue paper will woo your consumers without harming the planet. Additionally, acid-free tissue paper doesn’t degrade as easily so it can also be stored for a long time.
Kraft Paper
If you are looking for an excellent way of positioning your business as nature friendly then look no further than Kraft paper. It has a simple, attractive, and primitive look that helps you achieve your goal. If you’re looking for a great way to position your business as a natural champion of the environment, kraft paper has a simple, appealing, and primitive look that can help you achieve that goal. Also, it stands out from traditional paper packaging due to its rustic look.
Keeping the looks aside, kraft paper doesn’t add in terms of weight as well. However, it provides excellent durability. This simply means that you can reap the benefits of a package that is durable and still won’t cost you much in terms of shipping rates.
Additionally, kraft paper is recyclable and degrades naturally with zero negative impact on the environment. It degrades within a few weeks. However, it can still be saved and reused, this will help in maintaining your brand’s credibility as a company that is progressive and cares about the environmental impact.
Benefits Of Biodegradable Packaging Materials For Businesses
Going green isn't a new phase that companies are going through. In fact, most companies have been making a shift toward sustainability. This shift includes sustainable packaging materials.
That’s not to say that everyone has jumped on the bandwagon yet. Often, it can be easy to overlook how various departments of a company can do their part to be eco-conscious.
It doesn't always have to be a drastic change in business practices. Even simple changes can make a difference. Many benefits come along with being sustainable. Going greener with packaging brings many benefits.
Sustainability is an essential dynamic of Industrial Packaging. During our six decades of business, we have found what sustainability in packaging truly looks like. Let’s take a look at the top 6 benefits of earth-friendly packaging.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
We often talk about, the carbon footprint of the products, and the packaging itself can have a massive footprint. If you are a business looking for reducing the environmental impact or you are a consumer looking for living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Switching to biodegradable packaging can help you in reducing your carbon footprint.
The bio-degradable packaging materials are made out of recycled materials instead of plastics and chemicals which is better for the environment. Since the packaging is eco-friendly, it reduces the waste materials and the consumption of resources. Both of these efforts help minimize carbon footprints.
No Harmful Plastics
Traditional packaging including shipping materials typically contains harmful materials based on petroleum and plastic materials which aid in environmental issues. These products are then found littering landfills, pathways, roadways, and even waterways. The increased use of eco-friendly packaging allows companies to reduce the amount of plastic that is being used, which in turn reduces littering issues.
Convenient Disposal
Eco-friendly packaging No matter what type of packaging and shipping materials businesses decide to use, they should be either recyclable or biodegradable. Eco-friendly packaging simplifies the disposal of shipping materials because of its biodegradable composition. The composition doesn’t require as many resources to break down the packaging after its intended use.
Consumers who prefer to compost their refuse can easily include biodegradable packaging and shipping materials with other compost-friendly materials. This process can also have a positive impact on the surrounding environment.
Versatility
Another added benefit of biodegradable shipping supplies has to be the versatility of the packaging. Packaging, as well as shipping materials, are typically reused and re-purposed in most major industries. Anything ranging from office supplies to packaging electronic devices there is an eco-friendly material available to meet the needs of the business.
Sustainability
One of the most significant benefits of biodegradable packaging is its sustainability. Almost all the materials used fall under the Rs of sustainability; recycle, reduce, and reuse.
Reducing focuses on using materials that are tougher yet thin and can do the job of traditional packaging material. Reusing mostly focuses on manufacturing items that can be repurposed after the first use. Creating shipping materials that are both stronger and safer will help businesses and individuals to repurpose them. Recycle, focuses on manufacturing products that massively comprise previously recycled materials. It can then be recycled by business owners or even consumers after receiving the product.
How Is Biodegradable Packaging Different From Compostable Packaging?
Looking at the names they both sound pretty similar. While all compostable materials are biodegradable, not all biodegradable materials are compostable. Even though biodegradable materials return to nature, they may still leave behind metal residues. Compostable materials often create something called humus which is full of nutrients and are great for plants.
In conclusion, compostable products are biodegradable but come with added benefits i.e when they break down completely, they release valuable nutrients in the soil, aiding the growth of plants and trees.
Why Is It Important In Today's World To Have Biodegradable Packaging?
Waste products in any form are one of the most prominent environmental issues in today’s time. Each passing year, around 8 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean. With the increasing population, consumerism aids in more manufacturing and distribution of products and the number of waste products in the oceans and landfills around the world continues to ascent. So how can we reduce this impact to save our planet? The global supply chain is complicated, you cannot easily return to a culture of local manufacturing. There is an urgent calling for healthier, smarter, and natural packaging solutions that can help keep the planet safe while accommodating contemporary consumer needs and the solution to this is biodegradable packaging.
Are Biodegradable Containers Beneficial To The Food Industry?
For many many years, conventional plastics are manufactured and used for packaging in various sectors. With the growing food industries, the demand for packaging materials is also increasing. The use of conventional plastics has transformed the entire food industry to higher levels. However, conventional petroleum-based packagings are non-biodegradable. The fact that these plastics are non-biodegradable has created extreme ecological disasters to the entire environment and a threat to aquatic life as well.
This is also severely degrading the air quality. Biodegradable polymers have emerged as a great alternative for food industries, this will help control the massive risks caused by non-biodegradable plastics.
On the basis of the starting material, the packaging is categorized as polymers extracted from biomass, synthesized from monomers, or produced from monomer and produced from microorganisms. Now let’s discuss the key benefits of Biodegradable packaging in the food industry.
Incentivizes Consumers
Consumerism while leaving a low carbon footprint isn’t easily accessible. Numerous strides have been made in the direction of sustainability and recyclability. However, sustainability could not take a dominant form.
If your business strives towards using sustainable materials and recyclability then your brand is bound to stand out. You can simply put this fact on the packaging which will let the consumers know that they are a part of creating a greater impact. This will also encourage woke and environmentally conscious consumers to purchase from your brand.
Convenient Disposal
The biodegradable packaging boxes not only make the customers feel great about adopting an eco-friendly alternative but it is quite practical when it comes to disposal. It simplifies disposal as it doesn’t require many resources to break down.
Also, biodegradable packaging can be thrown away without doubt or guilt. All these perks will boost your sales in the food industry. Consumers can easily dispose of the packaging without carrying the burden of environmental anxiety.
Positive Branding
Once again, it's great to be eco-friendly whether or not environmental impact is at the forefront of your brand's message. This will secure your customer's positive experience with your brand. It will also modernize your brand's image and set it ahead of your business's industry.
Customers' eco-friendly consciousness is increasing. It only makes sense to meet your consumers' demand and improve your brand's reputation as a result. Doing so can key your customers into your brand's sustainability efforts and give them another great reason to purchase from your brand.
Non-Toxic
Substances like lead, mercury, and other certain chemicals are notorious for being circulated through shipping, particularly with plastic packaging. A lot of progress has been made to reduce this circulation - and with great success. But using eco-friendly materials can cut down on this potential even further.
Plastic packaging may have substances such as phthalates, dioxins, and more. These materials can trigger allergic reactions, particularly for those that are eczema-prone. Not only that, but some of these substances can even stunt learning development.
Again, many shipping/packaging practices have improved to reduce this risk. But many customers are still concerned enough to minimize this risk the best they can, especially parents of babies and young children.
Eco-friendly packaging may be a particularly great option if your brand caters to family-oriented products. But this also makes it one of the best types of food packaging, since non-toxic food consumption is bound to be a concern some customers have.
Energy Efficient
Bio-degradable packaging is also energy efficient. The materials that make these biodegradable packagings are lightweight; this places a lighter strain on the production process. While it may seem like a package cannot make a huge difference, this small effort can bring forth a massive difference.
This material takes up less space, using less storage in the packaging facilities. These perks will aid in major cuts in business costs by reducing the need for extra storage space. These will also help in making your products easier to ship; since the weight and volume determine the shipping cost. Now, you have more valid reasons to invest in eco-friendly packaging for the financial purposes.
Variety
Even though other packagings are the dominant norm, the use of eco-friendly packaging has massively improved since its popularization. If you think that eco-friendly packaging is limited to flimsy forms, then you need to think again. There are a huge number of packaging options such as steam bags, and parchment bags. Parchment bags are generally at the very least, recyclable. Steam bags can be compostable if they are made out of biodegradable materials.
The bio-degradable polyethylene resin coating is made out of sugarcane. This is what makes this material bio-degradable, plant-based, and a safer alternative to other plastics. All these will add a lot of strength to your products. This will also help in lowering the environmental impact on consumers as well as the company.
Considering the above-mentioned points, it is safe to say that biodegradable packaging has a good future in the food industry. Various factors such as legislative changes, policies, and the world’s demand for bio-degradable packaging, decreased the price range. By spreading awareness amongst people we can increase the growth and development of bio-degradable packaging. The food industry is one of the largest packaging disposal producers and including biodegradable packaging in the food industry is crucial in today’s date.
Conclusion
There are several ways in which you can influence and impress consumers. Satisfying the consumer while keeping the environmental impact in mind is quite a difficult yet crucial step in today’s date. You can easily impress your consumers by using the takeaway containers from KEEO. We offer eco-friendly, sustainable packaging along with attractive design.
FAQ’s
Is Biodegradable Packaging Eco-Freindly?
Unfortunately, not all biodegradable packagings are eco-friendly. Some of them break down into the soil in a harmful manner as well. If we speak in terms of the environmental benefits then the best biodegradable packaging is the one that breaks down quickly rather than taking years.
What Is The Most Eco-Freindly Packaging?
Corrugated cardboard and other forms of paper-based packaging are considered the most Eco-friendly packaging.
What Plastic Is Biodegradable?
Polycaprolactone(PCL), Polybutylene succinate(PBS), are petroleum-based plastics but can be degraded by microorganisms. However, polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB), polylactide(PLA), and starch blends are produced from biomass or renewable resources and are thus biodegradable.
What Materials Are Biodegradable?
When it comes to biodegradable materials, there are hundreds of choices to select from. But these are some of the best biodegradable materials; Bamboo, cork, bioplastic polymers, Mycelium, Hemp, Jute, Wood, Avocado bio-plastic, castor beans, bananas, coconut, and so on.
What Is The Least Environment-Friendly Packaging?
Styrofoam is considered the least environmentally friendly packing as it takes around 500 years to decompose. This material is typically used in beverage cups, food containers, and packing peanuts.
Is Bamboo Cheaper Than Plastic?
Bamboo grows at a rapid speed Hence the cost of production is remarkably low making it cheaper than wood and plastic.