Biodegradable packaging is something that’s become immensely popular. With more and more people clamoring for solutions for their packaging needs and to reduce the presence of plastic, companies are left with choices.
While biodegradable packaging might seem like a good idea, there are some drawbacks that come with this, which we’ll discuss here.
What Biodegradable Packaging Is
Biodegradable packaging is packaging that naturally breaks down when tossed. That means, when it ends up in a landfill, it will break down within a month or so, in contrast to the hundreds of thousands of years that it might take for something else.
The focus is decomposition, and allowing for a natural breakdown, no matter how it is tossed.
Most biodegradable packaging uses cornstarch, PLA plastic, and cellulose types of materials. These are plant-based, and they naturally break down as a result.
It all sounds great, right? Well, there are a few drawbacks to biodegradable packaging that we will highlight here.
Costs
Most of the biodegradable packaging will be more expensive than the traditional types. This is because the plant-based products aren’t as common, so businesses will need to factor in costs.
However, sometimes the costs will decrease as you make more. and while it has a higher upfront cost right now, it can over time decrease as the production scales, and your technology improves.
Available and Performance
Another drawback is available. Most biodegradable packaging is far less available than a traditional plastic, so it will cost more, based on the law of supply and demand.
But another downside is how effective biodegradable packaging is. Some types are far more fragile, especially when compared to regular plastics.
A challenge that some companies have found is that the packaging that’s biodegradable doesn’t do well when it comes to delivery and transit. A couple have discovered that the product does degrade over time and can negatively affect the product.
Environmental Concerns
A big problem with biodegradable packaging is actually the negative environmental impact that comes with.
Sure, soy based packaging might seem like a good idea at first, but the problem with this is that it does impact the quality of the land. A lot of businesses realize that their land is affected because of this, and it causes soil erosion too. So while it seems like a good idea in theory, being mindful of how your product impacts the land is important.
A similar problem also comes with bioplastics. They use similar processes that the traditional plastics do, and may contain chemicals and additives. They may also come from renewable sources that also are intense in terms of agricultural measures.
Finally, there is the problem as well with the compost ability of some of this biodegradable packaging. A lot of bioplastics and compostable types of packaging can’t just be thrown out back, as it will contaminate the soil in certain cases. Sometimes, they don’t break down either.
So if you do decide to use this, you also need to factor in if customers can have these broken down. also bear in mind that some biodegradable packaging doesn’t completely break down and might release some harmful chemicals and substances whenever it does break down.
It is important to keep all of these in mind. While biodegradable packaging has come a long way, there are certain factors that come with this. If you plan to use it, do your research and learn right away just what will happen with this, and the impact that biodegradable packaging has on your business, and the world around you, changing accordingly as you may need. n
