The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing biodegradable plastic film manufacturer

22 September

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We live in a world that is becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impacts that materials have. Plastic production, use and disposal contribute about 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon emissions annually, so it is no wonder that companies are manufacturing sustainable alternatives to their traditional products. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using a biodegradable film and deep dive into what it means for a plastic material to be environmentally friendly.

What is biodegradable film?

Biodegradable film or wrap is 100% compostable, unlike others of its type. This makes it a real contribution to helping reduce the worldwide issue of plastic waste. Not only does it break down in natural conditions, but it also offers outstanding pallet stability, protecting goods from damage and the elements.

The benefits of biodegradable film

There are a number of benefits of opting for biodegradable wrap when selecting your packaging. These include:

• A reduction in carbon emissions: As the materials used to produce biodegradable film are plant-based, they release far less carbon emissions into the air than plastic.
• Non-toxic: Biodegradable film does not contain harmful by-products or chemicals. As a result, they do not emit or leach toxins during the breakdown process.
• Improved Corporate Social Responsibility and brand image: Consumers and clients are more aware of their impact on the environment and are increasingly taking to platforms such as social media to publicly confront companies that they feel are not taking environmental concerns seriously. Similarly, customers are becoming more invested and more loyal to companies that are making a visible effort to lower their carbon footprint.
• Less pollution: Biodegradable film breaks down naturally and eventually decomposes to be consumed by soil and other natural components. No chemical reaction needs to take place which means a reduction in pollution; contributing to a positive impact on the environment.
• Speed of decomposition: Biodegradable film takes between three to six months to fully decompose which is far quicker than other types of plastic which can take hundreds of years. Additives added during the manufacturing process help to decrease the time that film takes to break down.

How is it made?

Biodegradable film is made using a process that combines eco-friendly materials, including a sustainable polymer resin to produce an environmentally friendly packaging solution.

These materials are combined with renewable sources, such as sugarcane or cornstarch which when blended together with the resin enhance its flexibility and durability.

Through the extrusion and moulding process, the biodegradable polymer is transformed into thin sheets or rolls which can be them used to manufacture a wide array of products ranging from biodegradable pallet wrap to biodegradable postal bags for mailing products in the post.

What is biodegradable film used for?

There are many uses for biodegradable film and these include:

• Pallet wraps: An eco-friendly packaging solution that has gained popularity in recent years due to its positive environmental impact. A biodegradable pallet wrap offers the same level of protection and stability for palletised goods but also aligns with sustainability goals.
• Hygiene products: Biodegradable films are used in products like nappies, sanitary napkins and adult incontinence products. These offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic-backed products.
• Consumer electronics: Some electronic manufacturers use biodegradable film in the packaging of their products to reduce plastic waste.
• Agriculture: Biodegradable films can be used in agriculture as mulch films. These films help control weed growth, retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. They can then be ploughed into the soil, where they biodegrade, reducing the need for plastic removal and disposal.

How is biodegradable film broken down?

The term &#;biodegradable&#; is defined as &#;capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms and thereby avoiding pollution&#;. This means that a biodegradable pallet wrap undergoes a natural decomposition process that is far more beneficial to the environment when compared to traditional pallet films.

The main factors contributing to the natural decomposition of biodegradable products are:

• The materials: Plant-based polymers and compostable plastics allow these sustainable products to be broken down naturally.
• Correct disposal: For something to biodegrade, it needs the right conditions. For most products, the best conditions are found in a landfill. However, the UK has taken huge steps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and aims to send no more than 10% of municipal waste to landfills by .
• The natural environment: When exposed to moisture, oxygen or microorganisms in the natural environment, the biodegradable pallet wrap will fall apart and break down over a period of 2-3 years.

Biodegradable, recyclable or compostable?

There are specific, industry-recognised terms and specifications which determine whether a product can be advertised as biodegradable, recyclable or compostable. These are:

Biodegradable

Something that is biodegradable will eventually break down into smaller pieces by natural processes. However, it is often not specified whether a material will take 6 months or years to decompose. The process of biodegradation generally takes 3-6 months. EN regulations state that biodegradation must take place within a maximum time frame of 6 months.

Recyclable

This refers to a product that can be reused for another purpose or turned into something else by breaking it down to its raw materials. The materials that are used to manufacture the item do not need to be sustainable, as long as the item itself can be repurposed. The EN standard outlines the criteria that packaging must meet to be considered recoverable through material recycling. It also accounts for the ongoing advancements in packaging and recovery technologies and provides guidelines for evaluating compliance with these criteria.

Compostable

Something that is compostable is made from materials that have been certified to break down completely into non-toxic components. These components will not harm the environment because they are disposed of in the right conditions.

It is also worth noting that not all compostable materials are suitable for composting at home. Some require higher levels of water, heat, oxygen and micro-organisms and need industrial composting. Composting at home generally happens at around 25°C whereas industrial compositing takes place at over twice that, at around 58°C.

EN requires compostable plastics to disintegrate after 12 weeks and completely biodegrade after 6 months.

Let us help you improve your Corporate Social Responsibility with biodegradable polythene solutions

Industrial Polythene offers 50 years of expertise within the polythene packaging industry. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and offer a range of greener packaging solutions that offer a better environmental impact.

If you would like a free quote or would like to request a free sample, contact us today. We would love to hear from you.

Pick any product off a supermarket shelf and there's a good chance it's either made from plastic or packaged with it in one form or another. Not surprisingly, all this plastic adds up. Australians send more than a million tonnes of plastic waste to landfill every year, where it will sit for generations as it ever-so-slowly breaks down.

In an effort to tackle the growing waste problem, some plastic products are now being made so they break down more readily. But do these so-called 'biodegradable' plastics really give you a chance to outlive a muesli bar wrapper? Or is it just clever spin aimed at grabbing your green dollar? 

More than just grocery bags

The conversation on biodegradable plastics has so far focused on supermarket shopping bags, and for good reason. As a nation we use nearly four billion of them every year, according to Planet Ark.

But there are many other products in which biodegradable plastics are already being used. "You can find them in almost anything out there, it just depends on the region you are in and the brands that are available to you," says Teresa Clark from US-based plastics manufacturer ENSO.

Clark says biodegradable plastics are targeted at replacing those items you usually use once and throw in the rubbish bin, like the plastic that holds your breakfast cereal or the packaging on kids' toys. Some products already available in Australia include bin liners, cling film, sandwich bags and nappies, with more products expected to roll out in the near future.

What does biodegradable mean?

Something is considered biodegradable if it can be broken down by living things, usually by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. When it comes to plastic, however, the meaning of biodegradable gets a little more complicated.

There are certain conditions, like temperature and moisture, which affect how well a plastic breaks down. This means a biodegradable plastic will not simply break down wherever it ends up. If it is not disposed of correctly or ends up as litter, it might not break down at all.

In Australia, the term biodegradable usually refers to plastics that are 'compostable', meaning they will break down when placed in a home compost bin or commercial composting facility. When disposed of correctly, a compostable plastic will almost completely biodegrade within six months &#; a big improvement on the 100-plus years it would take for something like a normal plastic bag to break down in landfill.

There is an Australian standard that specifies the conditions that must be met for a plastic to be considered compostable, but it is voluntary for manufacturers to verify that their products conform to the standard. Rowan Williams, president of the Australasian Bioplastics Association, which administers the verification scheme in Australia, says it's easy to know if a plastic has been verified by looking at the label (see How do I know it's biodegradable?). "Unless it is verified, then it may not actually be compostable," he says.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website biodegradable plastic film manufacturer.

Can I put compostable plastics in my rubbish bin?

You sure can &#; but it will be of little benefit. Most of the general (non-recyclable) rubbish in your bin ends up at the local landfill, and the idea behind compostable plastic is to divert the plastic from landfill altogether.

"They may eventually biodegrade in landfill, but it will be very slow and there would be little point in doing that," says Williams. "It is a feel-good factor, in terms of buying the compostable plastic, but it's not something that you should do if that is where it will end up."

And if compostable plastics end up as litter, there is also no guarantee they will break down.

So where can they go?

If the plastic is labelled 'home compostable', then it can go in your home compost bin. But the majority of products currently available are labelled 'compostable', meaning they need to go to a commercial composting facility, where they get treated with high temperatures to create an organic-rich soil that can be on-sold.

Williams says there are around 150 of these facilities in Australia, but not many of them are in the major cities. "If you've got the place for these plastics to go then it works beautifully, but today in mainstream Australia there is no guarantee that a compostable plastic will go to a composting site because they are not that prevalent."

Some local councils provide easy access to composting facilities through their kerbside waste collections. In South Australia, for example, kerbside collection of compostable waste, including food waste, is provided in most local council areas.

If your local council allows you to put food scraps into your green organics bin along with your garden waste, then there is a chance that waste may be going to a commercial composting facility &#; check with your local council to be sure.

If you don't have access to a commercial composting facility, you can contact the Australian Organics Recycling Association to find the nearest facility that's a member of the association.

Read more: How to recycle plastic bags and wrappers

What if it's not compostable?

You may come across products that are labelled 'biodegradable' but don't claim to be compostable. These products should not be disposed of in a composting facility or in your home compost bin. The best way to dispose of these plastics depends on the product, but it should be written on the label. For example, we've come across plastic products labelled as 'landfill biodegradable', which means they can be disposed of in your general rubbish.

Also, look on the label for how long it will take for the plastic to break down and by how much (for example, 100% biodegradable means the entire product will biodegrade). Unlike for compostable plastic, there is no Australian standard for labelling a product as biodegradable, which means there is no time limit on how long it must take to break down. A product can be called biodegradable if it takes two years to break down or if it takes 10 years &#; just so long as it eventually happens.

'Degradable' is not biodegradable

Plastic and plastic-wrapped products have popped up on supermarket shelves carrying the label 'degradable' or 'oxo-degradable'. These products should not be confused with biodegradable plastics, as they do not require living organisms to break down. Instead, chemical additives are used in the plastic to make it crumble more quickly than it would otherwise.

Degradable plastics can help reduce the amount of plastic litter that we see, but the plastic is still there, just in smaller pieces. And smaller pieces of plastic litter can actually be hazardous to more wildlife.

For example, Dr Denise Hardesty, a research scientist with the CSIRO, says small pieces of plastic are having harmful effects on marine animals.

"Parts of a plastic bottle or plastic bag may be more accessible to larger marine species like turtles and seals, but those same items become accessible to more and more species in the food chain as they break down," Hardesty explains.

Fish, crustaceans and even corals are known to eat small pieces of plastic, mistaking them for food. And as these smaller animals get eaten by larger ones, Hardesty says the plastic accumulates up the food chain, affecting more and more species as it goes.

How do I know it's biodegradable?

The label should tell you all you need to know, but there can be some other confusing terms on there as well. Here's our guide to what &#; and what not &#; to look for.

Look for these terms:

• Biodegradable will biodegrade, but generally not as quickly as compostable plastic. Look for products that state they are 100% biodegradable and show the disposal method.
• Compostable will biodegrade in a commercial compost facility. Look for the Australian Standard number (AS -) on the label.
• Home compostable is the best option if you have a home compost bin. Look for the Australian Standard number (AS -) on the label.

But look out for these:

• Bio- or plant-based means the plastic is made from plant materials rather than fossil fuels, but this doesn't necessarily mean it is biodegradable or compostable.
• Bioplastic is a confusing industry term that has two meanings &#; it could mean the plastic is biodegradable/compostable or that it is made from plant materials. Ignore this term, as it's not reliable.
• Degradable is neither biodegradable nor compostable.

Reduce your plastic waste

The best way to reduce your plastic waste is to use as little plastic as possible. Here are our top tips for reducing your plastic waste:

• Say no to plastic bags, not only at the supermarket checkout but also when picking up your takeaway from local restaurants and food outlets. Check out our guide to sustainable shopping bags.
• Buy your fruit and vegetables loose and avoid pre-packaged ones. Don't put your fruit in the small plastic barrier bags at the supermarket &#; it might take a little longer at the checkout but the plastic you save will be significant.
• Store leftovers in a reusable container rather than covering them with cling film.
• Choose products that have as little plastic packaging as possible. For example, if you buy rolled oats, look for brands that use cardboard packaging rather than plastic.
• Use a lunchbox and ditch sandwich bags and cling film altogether.
• If your local council doesn't require you to wrap your rubbish, try not using a bin liner. Wrap wet food scraps in a small amount of newspaper before putting them in the bin and hose your bin out regularly.

Also remember to recycle your plastic waste where possible.

CHOICE verdict

Incorporating biodegradable plastics into everyday consumer products makes sense, but they need to be disposed of correctly to be of any benefit. If you have a home compost bin or access to a commercial composting facility, then home or commercially compostable plastics are the best choice. Ultimately, however, the best way to reduce your plastic footprint is to use as little of it as possible.

Read more: 10 common recycling mistakes to avoid

Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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