The Pros and Cons of Compostable Products - HongRen

Author: Daisy

Jun. 10, 2024

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The Pros and Cons of Compostable Products - HongRen

Biodegradable and Compostable Products &#; pros and cons

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

What are the Pros and Cons of Biodegradable and Compostable Products? Let&#;s see what are biodegradable and compostable products first.

Biodegradable and compostable products are an increasingly popular option for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint. These products are made from materials that are capable of breaking down naturally and without causing any harm to the environment. Unlike traditional materials, they are biodegradable and compostable, meaning they can be broken down by microorganisms into organic matter, such as CO2 and water, without creating any waste.

Pros

The primary benefit of biodegradable and compostable products is that they can be broken down naturally by microorganisms. This means they will not contribute to the accumulation of non-biodegradable waste in the environment. This is especially important for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, biodegradable and compostable products are a great way to reduce the amount of landfill waste, as they can be recycled and used as fertilizer.

Another benefit is that they can be made from various materials, including plant-based materials, paper, and even some plastics. This makes them a more sustainable choice than traditional materials, such as plastics and Styrofoam, which are not biodegradable.

Cons

Despite the many benefits of biodegradable and compostable products, some drawbacks should be considered. For example, these products may not be as robust as traditional materials, meaning they may not be suitable for specific applications. Additionally, these products may not be as readily available as conventional materials, making it challenging to find the right product for a particular application.

Another issue to consider is the cost of biodegradable and compostable products. These materials may be more expensive than traditional ones, making them difficult to justify in specific applications.

Conclusion

Biodegradable and compostable products are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits. However, it is essential to consider these biodegradable and compostable products&#; pros and cons before deciding. These products may be more expensive than traditional materials, but they can significantly reduce landfill waste and your carbon footprint.

Get the complete solution. &#;

Pros of biodegradable and compostable products

The world is changing in many ways, and one of the most significant changes that are taking place is the increasing awareness and demand for more sustainable products. Biodegradable and compostable products, especially, are gaining attention for their potential to reduce environmental impact, reduce waste output, and be cost-effective. Here, we will discuss the pros of biodegradable and compostable products . And how they can benefit both the environment and businesses.

First and foremost, biodegradable and compostable products have a lower environmental impact than traditional products. These products are designed to break down and decompose, meaning they are not left behind in our landfills and oceans, which can cause severe pollution and health issues. Furthermore, these products require fewer resources and are often made of recycled materials. This means businesses can reduce their carbon footprint while still having quality products.

Second, biodegradable and compostable products can reduce waste output significantly. As the products break down and decompose, they can be repurposed and used in new projects. This means that businesses can reduce waste output and not leave behind harmful byproducts. Furthermore, these products can also create compost to use in gardens and farms to fertilize the soil and encourage plant growth.

Lastly, biodegradable and compostable products can be cost-effective. These products are made from recycled materials, so they are often cheaper than their traditional counterparts. Businesses can save money on production costs, which can translate into profits. Furthermore, these products can be used multiple times, further reducing costs.

All in all, biodegradable and compostable products can be an excellent choice for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact, reduce waste output, and save money. These products are becoming increasingly popular among consumers and companies, offering a more sustainable option to help the environment without sacrificing quality or cost-effectiveness.

Cons of biodegradable and compostable products

Biodegradable and compostable products are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people look for sustainable ways to reduce their environmental footprint. While these products have many advantages, there are also several potential drawbacks. Let&#;s look at three significant cons of biodegradable and compostable products.

1.Theire limited availability

While some large retail stores now carry these products, they&#;re still not widely available in most places, mainly rural areas. Many people will have to go out of their way to find and purchase these products.

2.Their high cost of production

Biodegradable and compostable products are typically more expensive than their traditional counterparts. While this is understandable, given the extra effort and resources that go into producing them, it does mean that many people might have to pay more for these products than they would for regular products.

3.Theirpoor durability

While biodegradable and compostable products can break down quickly and easily, they can still be prone to damage and general wear and tear over time. This means that they may not last as long as traditional products, which could cost you more in the long run.

These cons can add up to make biodegradable and compostable products less attractive to consumers. But that doesn&#;t mean that these products don&#;t have their place. Despite their drawbacks, biodegradable and compostable products can significantly reduce environmental impact.

For example, when it comes to single-use items, biodegradable and compostable products can be a great option. Not only do they reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills and oceans, but they can also help to reduce the amount of energy used to produce and transport traditional products.

In addition, biodegradable and compostable products can also be an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional products when it comes to packaging materials. Investing in materials designed to decompose quickly can help reduce the amount of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials that end up in landfills and oceans.

Overall, biodegradable and compostable products can significantly reduce your environmental impact, but it&#;s essential to be aware of the potential drawbacks. Limited availability, high cost of production, and poor durability are all potential cons of biodegradable and compostable products. While these drawbacks shouldn&#;t deter you from using these products, it is necessary to consider them when deciding whether to invest in them.

Conclusion

The debate over the use of biodegradable and compostable products has been ongoing for some time now. For those looking to reduce their environmental impact, it may seem like a no-brainer to switch to these products. However, before making the switch, there are a few pros and cons should be taken accout

Pros of Biodegradable and Compostable Products

The primary benefit of biodegradable and compostable products is their ability to break down over time. Unlike traditional plastics, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, they can degrade in a few months. This means that they are much better for the environment. And they can also help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans. Additionally, they are often made from renewable resources, which helps to reduce the amount of petroleum-based plastics used.

Cons of Biodegradable and Compostable Products

While biodegradable and compostable products have benefits, there are a few drawbacks to consider. One of the most significant issues is that they are often more expensive than traditional plastics. Additionally, they tend to be less durable and may break down more quickly. So they may not be suitable for long-term use. Finally, they are not always recyclable, so they may still end up in landfills or oceans if not correctly disposed of.

Conclusion

When choosing between biodegradable products and traditional plastics, the decision should be based on what is most vital for you and your family. Conventional plastics may be better if you are looking for a cost-effective and durable solution. However, if reducing your environmental impact is your primary concern, then biodegradable and compostable products may be the way to go. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what is best for your family and lifestyle.

The Truth About Biodegradable & Compostable Retail ...

Biodegradable and Compostable Flexible Packaging

There is so much misinformation pertaining to compostable and biodegradable flexible packaging that I wanted to cut through the garbage and provide easy-to-understand information you can rely on. First, the industry has come a long way to even be able to provide materials and layers of materials when laminated together that create some amazing barrier properties while remaining biodegradable

However, there are limitations. This material is not indestructible and is not meant for all products or environments (hot, cold, freezer, etc.). As we tell all our reps, prospects, and customers...get samples, test them, and do small runs before you go all-in.

To be clear, in the right environment and situations, this material (printed or plain) will amaze you, but again, it&#;s not for everyone. Different biodegradable-compostable structures react differently to home composting units or industrial machines. Again, as always, trust your packaging provider for guidance and direction.

Let me outline this pillar page of content and the different sections.

First, we provide the different terminology we all get tripped up with&#;does biodegradable mean recyclable or sustainable&#;etc. We call this&#;Get Your Terminology Straight!
Second, we&#;ll give you a rundown on the Different Biodegradable and Compostable Materials, what they are good for, etc.
Third, the Available Styles of flexible retail packaging that will or won&#;t work with biodegradable and compostable materials. This is important to comprehend as all too often companies assume one thing and get burned.
Fourth&#;Printed or Plain? Digital or Traditional? You&#;ll be stunned at what is possible&#;and it is not some boring, drab brown bag&#;(think Pacific Bag)
Finally and Fifth&#;Buyer BEWARE! Easy to understand&#;go/no go applications&#;yes and no when considering and using biodegradable and compostable flexible packaging.
BONUS &#; FAQs and Opportunities for anyone that wants to beat their competition right now! Features, windows, color printing, Ziplocks, etc.

Get Your Terminology Straight!

When Discussing Biodegradable and Compostable Retail Packaging

Eco-friendly packaging has become the hottest term on the retail packaging landscape. The problem is many do not know what the term means or what the other related terms like sustainability, recyclability, compostable and biodegradable mean either. Let&#;s clarify what these terms mean and take a look at some different options you&#;ll be able to consider.

Note that this discussion will all be in reference to retail packaging, specifically. While many of these items can be used for industrial purposes, I&#;m working with retail packaging options to begin with. Eco-friendly packaging involves bags, pouches, styles, and films that are taking the environment into account.

How? Either there is a reduction in the amount of film used or the material provides a unique way for the packaging itself to be reused, repurposed, or even recycled. Another possibility would be when the package is made with materials that react to air and sunlight &#; such as biodegradable or compostable materials that will break down over time instead of clogging up a landfill.

Key Terms:

Eco-Friendly: Refers to the effort to use materials and structures that take into account how they will react to the environment and even how we will dispose of them (can they be reused, recycled, repurposed, etc)
Biodegradable: Refers to material structures that are made from or have a coating/lamination of different ingredients that react to air and sunlight that accelerate how a package breaks down when it is no longer in use. Requires air and sunlight to work.
Compostable: While often used interchangeably with &#;biodegradable,&#; the word &#;compostable&#; actually has a unique meaning. All compostable plastics are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable plastics are compostable. Compostable options break down into natural elements during a relatively short timeframe, in specific composting conditions, whereas biodegradable materials are simply guaranteed to biologically degrade into organic material at some point.
Recyclable: Refers to if packaging can be grouped with other &#;like&#; packaging and either ground back up and made into the same or similar material again, or ground back up to be used in the making of other products. Requires a structured plan to recycle either ALL the same structures (a type of film for example) or to recycle SIMILAR structures. This is a major difference. Think of recycling all of the same grocery bags from the checkout&#;the thin blue or white bags for groceries. This would be an example of recycling all of the same film structure. This is very difficult to do and control. The other approach is to accept ALL plastic materials up to a certain thickness (like the blue grocery bags and all bags used for packaging coffee beans for example). The key is to accept all similar materials (not the same) and then all of these films are ground up and used as &#;filler&#; or &#;base materials&#; for children&#;s toys, plastic lumber, park benches, bumpers, etc. This is another way to recycle.
Sustainable: An overlooked but highly effective way to help our environment. If we can find ways to improve our business by reducing how much energy is used to create the packaging or ship it or store it or all of the above, these are examples of sustainable solutions. Taking a rigid plastic container that holds windshield washer fluid or cleaning supplies and using a much thinner, flexible package that still holds the same amount but uses 75% less plastic, stores flat, ships flat, etc&#;is a classic example. There are sustainable options and solutions all around us if you only look.
PLA: One of the major bioplastics we use in our products is PLA, or polylactic acid, a formulation of plastic that&#;s made from fermented plant starch. This could include corn, sugarcane, beet pulp, or some other plant-based source. These popular bioplastics are food-safe and offer excellent transparency, a glossy appearance, protection from odors, and are suitable for printing. Air can&#;t get through and PLA also resists greases and oils.
PBAT: Another bioplastic formulation, PBAT has been marketed as &#;fully biodegradable.&#; You&#;ll see it used in products like cling wraps, compostable plastic bags (such as for home/gardening materials), and even in paper cups (as a water-resistant coating). The tough, extremely flexible nature of PBAT is valuable in a bioplastic. You&#;ll sometimes see it blended with additional biodegradable plastics to create bottles.

What do you really mean by &#;biodegradable?&#;

There&#;s a frequent misconception out there that compostable or biodegradable plastics turn into dirt over time &#; just automatically, on their own. This would be great, but the reality is that pretty much anything can only biodegrade in the right conditions (generally things like oxygen, sunlight, water, and turning the soil). If you rocket a piece of fruit into space, it isn&#;t going to degrade&#;ever. Compostable plastics need to be actively composted either at home or at an industrial facility. Make sure that compostable packaging makes it clear what the consumer has to do to help it biodegrade.

Different Biodegradable and Compostable Materials

For Flexible Retail Packaging

Understand Your Options!

Eco-Friendly, Recyclable, Biodegradable, Sustainable, Compostable&#;all these terms mean something different. There is not a &#;one-size-fits-all&#; material. If you&#;re able to provide information on your application (What are you packaging? Dry, liquid, powder, moisture sensitive, oily, harsh, caustic, etc.), we can help you understand your options from there.

Without these details laid out, we cannot provide the right options or guarantee how these materials will work (or not) for your application. Do not skip this critical step! We can and will send samples for you to test with your product.

ABC Packaging offers a dozen versatile material options in our Bioborn line. Learn more about these materials and their capabilities below!

ABC-Bioborn

Item NO. Structure ABCBorn-KPPT Paper/PLA+PBAT ABCBorn-KPPC Paper/PLA+PPC ABCBorn-KPT Paper/PBAT ABCBorn-CVT KPT/VMPBAT ABCBorn-CVPPC KPT/VMPBAT/PLA+PPC ABCBorn-CPPC KPT/PLA+PPC ABCBorn-KCPPC Paper/KPT/PLA+PPC ABCBorn-KCPT Paper/KPT/PBAT ABCBorn-CPT KPT/PBAT ABCBorn-KPPCPPC Paper/VMPBAT/PLA+PPC ABCBorn-BVPPC BOPLA/VMPBAT/PLA+PPC

100% Recyclable Plastic

100% recyclable film that can be dropped off and as part of the how2recycle.info/sdo.Let us know what you are packaging&#;conditions of the filling, packaging, environment, etc.

Kraft Paper Laminated Biodegradable - Compostable

Biodegradable-Compostable (PLA+Kraft+PLA+PBAT) Approximately 5.3 mil-microns&#;great for products that do not need high barrier OTR (oxygen transmission rate) (Example&#;seeds, candy, powder with shelf life under 12 months, as outer pouch-packaging. NOT for liquid or for products susceptible to moisture). Max weight under 6.5 pounds (3 kilograms).

Biodegradable-Compostable (PLA+Kraft+PLA+PBAT) Approximately 5 mil-microns, protein powder, seeds, candy, outer packaging). Dry Products Max weight 6.5 pounds.

Biodegradable-Compostable with Kraft Paper + Aluminum (has aluminum layer/PVOH/PBAT)&#;seriously&#;per TUV-BPI certification, the proportion of aluminum (not compostable) is tiny and not deemed harmful). This structure is excellent for under 12-month shelf life&#; laundry powder, chocolate, freezer/frozen products, some liquids without corrosive elements). Maximum thickness is 4.7 mils or microns and maximum weight is 6.5 pounds.

Plastic Laminated Biodegradable - Compostable

Biodegradable-Compostable (PLA-PVOH-aluminum-PVOH-PLA-PBAT) Maximum thickness 5.5 mils-microns, (per TUV-BPI certification, the proportion of aluminum (not compostable) is tiny and not deemed harmful)&#;good for products requiring 12-month or LESS shelf life&#;good for laundry powder and laundry liquid, candy, seeds, chocolate, freezer and frozen applications. Maximum weight 6.5 pounds.

PLASTIC Biodegradable-Compostable (PLA-PVOH-PLA-PBAT) Maximum thickness 4.7 mils or microns, for products with shelf life LESS than 12 months, seeds, powders, some liquids, candy, chocolate, frozen products. Max weight 6.5 pounds.

Home Composting

Patience is certainly required when composting at home&#;but good on you for doing it. It does work with this material, it just takes time. The structures that are used are different than we use for industrial composting equipment but fully decompose in soil over time. At-home, or &#;ambient&#;, compostable bags can be used with consumer-grade residential composters.

Not only does the entire composting process help your soil, but obviously you are having an impact on our world. This is an inexpensive way to have a profound impact! All parts of these biodegradable and compostable flexible packaging &#; from inks and adhesives to the materials themselves, all of these will break down in soil over time.

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Goto HuaWei to know more.

Industrial Compostable

Stronger, different structures than Home Compostable and are made to biodegrade in full-scale industrial composting equipment. Industrially compostable bags would need to be deposited in the compost that your town or city picks up.

READY TO GET STARTED?

Available Styles

Of Flexible Retail Packaging

While this video is old, it still is worthwhile if you want to understand the different styles of flexible retail packaging&#;not just for biodegradable and compostable, but for ALL stand-up pouches and flat pouches.

Remember, there are limitations to this biodegradable-compostable material, so always count on and rely on your packaging professional for help and guidance.

See Pictures of Styles Below

Traditional Round or K Style Bottom Gusset
Flat Bottom
3 Side Seal or Flat Pouches
Back Fin Seal&#;Center Fin&#;Pillow Pack (all mean the same thing)

Traditional Round and even K Style Bottom Gussets

3 Side Seal (Flat) Pouch

Flat Bottom Style

Back Fin or Center Fin Bag (Pillow Pack)

Printed or Plain?

Custom PRINTED Biodegradable and Compostable Flexible Packaging

Biodegradable and compostable packaging does not need to be drab or boring, or even dull. Bio paper can be printed in most cases in 6 colors&#;and bio-film can go up to 8 colors.

Flexible retail packaging made from biodegradable materials can be printed either digitally or traditionally.

DIGITAL
vs.

ROTOGRAVURE

(advantages and disadvantages)

DIGITAL PRINTING &#;
No Setup, Change, Cylinder, or Plate Fees & Small Volumes!

Digital printing is great for DRY products only. No liquids or high temperature swings (hot or cold) and small quantity. The advantage is there is no artwork fee or set up fees most suppliers charge, no printing plates or printing cylinders. Digital printing can be done as Rollstock (where we provide rolls of printed film for a customer to use on their own equipment) or finished pouches (stand up pouches, flat bottom stand up pouches, or even flat-3 side seal bags). As a rule of thumb&#;less than - pieces per SKU or flavor is perfect for digital.

ADVANTAGES of Digital DISADVANTAGES of Digital

Small Runs&#;500 to perfect
NO artwork or set up fees
No printing cylinders or plates
Faster Lead Times (less than 25 days)
Can print 8-10 colors

Only dry products&#;no liquids
Only ambient temperatures&#;the ink and the construction cannot withstand big swings (hot or cold)
Higher per piece price (on every order)

ROTOGRAVURE &#;
The Finest Print Quality In The World (& LOWEST minimum runs!)

Rotogravure printing is internationally known as the finest printing style in the world. Bold, photographic quality and graphics produce stunning results. Rotogravure printing requires the use of printing cylinders (each other of the artwork requires a cylinder) and the cylinders last 18-24 months on average (often longer).

One of the great advantages of Rotogravure is the lower per piece price and ease in printing multiple SKUs without having to pay for new cylinders. For example, if a pouch that is 5 x 8 x 3 and has 7 colors for a particular flavor/SKU and a customer wants to add a new flavor&#;and everything is the same except the ingredients and name of the product&#;which is all done in black ink&#;then only 1 cylinder needs updated. Cylinders cost around $225 to $250 each, depending on the size.

Why Custom Printed? Packaging is the Voice of Your Brand!

RESOURCES:

Available Structures | Artwork Guidelines | Available Features | Styles (Pouches)

Buyer BEWARE!

Biodegradable and Compostable Flexible Packaging Limitations

Good List

Bad &#; No Go

Dry products
Flour
Grains
Cereals and granola
Spices
Tea-loose leaf or packets
Breading and Panko
Candy-hard, soft
Tablets-hard tablets
Coffee (note, whole bean and some roasted&#;test)

Liquids
Loads over 2 pounds (test and be sure)
Sharp or abrasive materials
Extremely susceptible to moisture, odor, vapor

Rule of Thumb:
Always Get Samples and Test!

What are the advantages of choosing biodegradable or compostable packaging?

The number one advantage is obviously that it&#;s environmentally friendly. This can boost your standing in consumer perceptions of your brand and help keep the world healthy to boot. Younger consumers especially love to see eco-friendly packaging options and are driven by opportunities to potentially reduce global warming. Get started now with packaging like this to please your audience, avoid needing to catch up to the trend later, and maybe even grow your appeal into new demographics.

&#;And the disadvantages?

There are definitely some drawbacks to biodegradable retail packaging. Most notably, it&#;s not as strong as traditional plastic and it can also have a higher price point. It&#;s true that compostable options &#; even compostable flexible packaging &#; can be customized with strength-increasing traits, but they&#;re still less strong than the kinds of plastics that withstand landfills for hundreds of years unscathed. You&#;ll want to test whether the moisture barrier, level of puncturability, and air-permeability suits your product before committing. They&#;re generally a less ideal choice for products that absolutely must avoid moisture or exposure to air.

Bonus!

FAQs and Hidden Opportunities in Biodegradable & Compostable Packaging

What HUGE Opportunity Areas exist for biodegradable packaging
right now
?

Cereal
Granola
Spices
Frozen pizza&#;bio-film not bio-paper
Vacuum packaging (jerky, meat, rice)
Dry products in general

Are there different types of biodegradable materials?

Ask us about our full lineup of Bioborn materials, each of which has strengths for unique applications!

ABC-Bioborn

Are there certain products that you&#;d recommend use biodegradable-compostable packaging and those that you do not?

Anything that is a dry product&#;snacks, powder, flour, grains, seeds&#;do very well in biodegradable and compostable packaging
Nothing for liquids in biodegradable-compostable flexible packaging. Be careful and Avoid.
Be careful&#;some products that have an oil residue (bath salts, pet treats) can negatively affect the performance of biodegradable-compostable packaging

What are the minimum runs for compostable and biodegradable flexible packaging?

We can run small volume&#;printed or plain&#; pieces on up in all styles and sizes of biodegradable-compostable materials. These will be run digitally.
NOTE&#;as your volume goes up, we recommend running traditionally (Rotogravure) where pricing will be much less than digital.

How much more expensive is biodegradable-compostable packaging than &#;normal&#; materials?

Depends, usually at least 10%, but always check.

What is the maximum weight we can put into a compostable-biodegradable flexible pouch?

We don&#;t like to go more than 2 pounds&#;.the structures (even when they are reinforced) just aren&#;t incredibly strong (yet). The very characteristics that allow it to biodegrade also affect the strength.

How many colors can you print?

Digitally 6-8
Traditionally 6-8

What features can I get with biodegradable-compostable flexible packaging?

Biodegradable Ziplocks
There are some biodegradable gas release valves&#;check and test
Tear Notches
Rounded Corners

What styles of flexible packaging can I get using compostable-biodegradable packaging?

Round and K style
Flat Bottom
3 Side Seal
Center&#;Back Fin (pillow pouch)

How long does it take to make digitally printed biodegradable packaging?

Small runs, production time is about 4 weeks
Traditional, because they require plates, 6 to 7 (usually less)

What products do not do well with biodegradable-compostable materials?

Wet-Liquid products
Heavier than 2 pounds

Which is more eco-friendly: biodegradable or compostable?

Essentially, these mean the same thing.
Biodegradable is more general&#;most plastics are technically biodegradable. They&#;re made from carbon. But decomposition can take hundreds of years.
Compostable is generally understood to mean the product can biodegrade in a shorter period of time, when under composting conditions.

Which is better for the environment: compostable or recyclable?

Compostable packaging is considered better in most aspects.
Many recyclable products do not actually get recycled due to contamination and bandwidth in the industry to process recyclables.
Recycling tends to take more energy than composting.

Do compostable packages break down in landfills?

For more custom compostable bagsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

There is limited long-term research data at this point &#; very few organizations certify compostable products &#; but experts estimate they&#;ll decompose over time at a much faster rate than traditional plastics.