Plant-based packaging has become extremely popular in recent years as consumers are becoming more eco-conscious and businesses are searching for sustainable options to keep costs down and also improve the image of their brand. Read this blog to learn about plant-based packaging: why it’s important, how to find it, and how to be a conscious consumer of plant-based packaging.
Photo by Agenlaku Indonesia on Unsplash
What is plant-based packaging?
Plant-based packaging is made from renewable resources like sugarcane, corn, and, recently, mushrooms, which are easier for the environment to absorb than petroleum-based plastics that contribute significantly to plastic pollution in our oceans.
Making the transition to plant-based packaging is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Moreover, plant-based packaging will help you along the compliance journey, especially if you are a manufacturer or producer that ships to many countries, particularly, Germany. Because it is one of the leading countries advocating for sustainable packaging, and there are requisite conditions you must meet, plant-based packaging may be the best solution for you. Find out more at epr-compliance.com.
The problem with traditional plastic packaging
Most plastic packaging is made from a non-renewable, finite resource – petroleum. And the majority of plastic produced ends up as waste in landfills, the ocean or on our streets. This is an environmental issue because plastics can take up to 1,000 years or more to biodegrade. As a result, traditional plastic packaging is one of the top five polluters of our oceans.
It’s not just about recycling either. We’re currently producing approximately 300 million tons of plastic each year. Of that, only 45% is recycled. If we don’t do something about this now, by 2050 there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. That translates into an average of 100 pounds for every person living today. So what can we do? We need to start making sustainable choices when purchasing products with this type of packaging—choosing brands that are committed to making sustainable choices too! Thankfully, plant-based materials offer a real solution.
Common forms of plant-based alternative packaging
There are a few different types of plant-based packaging that you can use. First, there is the plastic made from corn or other plant-based products. This type of plastic is called PLA plastic and can be composted or put in your recycling bin.
The second form of plant-based packaging that you might see is paperboard made from plants such as bamboo instead of trees. There are also sustainable materials like beeswax, which can be used for food wrappings, and polylactic acid (PLA), a bio-plastic derived from corn starch, which is commonly used for drink containers. One benefit of PLA is that it doesn’t require an extra step in manufacturing, such as heating the material up to produce a film. Another benefit is that because PLA requires fewer fossil fuels than petroleum-based plastics, less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
Another common type of alternative packaging material comes from renewable sources like vegetable oils or soybean oil. You might recognise this kind if you’ve seen disposable cutlery wrapped up in it before. These packages do need to go through some steps during manufacturing, so they’re more expensive than traditional plastic wrap.
How to spot plant based labels on products
You might not realise it, but there are many products on the market with plant-based packaging.
Here are a few of the key signs you’ll be able to spot plant-based packaging on products;
- The product contains fibre from plants (paper, straws)
- The product is made from natural rubber (rubber bands, tape)
- The product is made in part or in whole by recycled materials (cups, boxes)
- The company has committed to using only plant-based packaging by 2020 or sooner
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