Biodegradable food packaging is becoming more and more popular among consumers. There are biodegradable containers, biodegradable cups, biodegradable cutlery, biodegradable straws, the list goes on! But what does it all mean? How do you know if something is biodegraded or not? We’ve put together a list of six factors to consider when trying to purchase biodegradable food packaging for your restaurant or business.
What type of material are you using?
Bioplastics are made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane, while traditional plastics come from petroleum products. Bioplastics will break down into the water, carbon dioxide, and biomass when biodegrading. Traditional plastics will release harmful toxins into the environment.
What is the product’s lifespan?
Some biodegradable materials are designed to biodegrade in a landfill within 12 weeks, while others can take up to 18 months or even longer. It is important that you know how long it takes for your chosen material to biodegrade before purchasing it. Furthermore, you need to be sure that the biodegradable packaging will not contaminate your food. Some biodegradable materials can release harmful toxins into the environment if they are not disposed of properly.
What is the product’s environmental impact?
When looking at biodegradable products, it is crucial to consider the product’s entire life cycle – from production to disposal. Some bioplastics require more energy to produce than traditional plastics, and some biodegradable materials emit greenhouse gases when broken down.
Is the product compostable?
Not all biodegradable materials are compostable. Composting occurs when organic material is exposed to air and moisture, resulting in bacteria breaking down the material into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner. To compost biodegradable materials, they must be able to break down into small pieces, and there needs to be an available composting infrastructure.
What are the product’s end-of-life options
If a biodegradable material is not compostable, what are its end-of-life options? Can it be recycled or incinerated without emitting pollutants? If the bioplastic is made from cornstarch, for example, and it isn’t composted, it will likely end up in a landfill where it will take years to decompose.
How does the product compare to traditional plastics?
When comparing biodegradable products to traditional plastics, it is important to look at the product’s entire life cycle. Biodegradable materials may have a higher carbon footprint in the manufacturing process, but they can ultimately reduce environmental impact when compared to traditional plastics that take centuries to decompose.
To conclude, biodegradable food packaging is not a perfect solution, but it does have some environmental benefits. When considering biodegradable materials, it is important to look at the product’s entire life cycle to make an informed decision.