What is compostable packaging?

Compostable packaging is made, disposed of and broken down in an environmentally friendly way. With society becoming increasingly aware and passionate about the importance of tackling plastic pollution and waste, compostable packaging is quickly moving into the spotlight, so it’s important that brands wake up and take notice.

Predominantly used for food packaging, compostable packaging has the potential to reduce a proportion of the packaging waste that would otherwise be headed straight for landfill. So, what exactly is compostable packaging, and how does it work?

Compostable packaging is made from a variety of recycled and plant-based materials. Because these kinds of materials are natural, they make compostable packaging environmentally friendly, whereas other types of non-compostable packaging often create toxins when they’re disposed of and can damage soil.

The materials can include:

• Wood pulp: Wood fibres which can be combined to produce compostable paper with the strength of plastics.
• Cardboard & paper: These materials are recyclable, reusable, and compostable, as well as being lightweight and strong. To make sure the cardboard or paper you use for your packaging is as sustainable as possible, you should try to source post-industrial recycled materials or find FSC-certified materials.
• Cornstarch: Packaging made with this material has a limited impact on the environment but has similar properties to plastics.
• Bagasse: This fibrous residue from sugarcane helps create sustainable, natural packaging for food and biofuel.
• Fungi: Made from mushrooms, fungi packaging materials create a way to put agriculture back into the ground.
• Bamboo: Used due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of availability worldwide.

These natural materials are what make compostable packaging so environmentally friendly. Other forms of packaging can create toxic chemicals or harmful particles when disposed of, but compostable packaging’s natural makeup means it provides benefits to the environment when disposed of, helping keep our soil healthy.

Suitable for storing dry goods, compostable packaging can be used across all industries, including food, pet food, health & sports nutrition, and lawn & garden. This type of packaging can also be frozen, giving you even more flexibility.

It has also been developed into bioplastic, a plant-based plastic packaging alternative that has many of the same characteristics as less sustainable equivalents. This material can be used for things like smoothie cups and fruit juices.

Compostable vs biodegradable packaging

Put simply, biodegradable and compostable packaging share the same value: they can break down over time. But when it comes to how they decompose, there are several differences in terms of how quickly they do so and what they leave behind.

When exposed to the right conditions, compostable packaging breaks down into natural elements that promote healthy soil and benefit the general environment. Around 90% of it is converted back into CO2, and it typically decomposes at the same speed as organic matter, which is approximately 3-6 months. Compostable packaging meets specific criteria for breakdown, allowing it to meet standards such as the ASTM D6400 or EN 13432.

Biodegradable packaging can be plant or oil-based and may contain extra microorganisms that break the material down into smaller pieces. Although these materials can decompose, the resulting by-products may contaminate soil and need to be processed in special facilities, meaning they don’t benefit the environment. When disposed of in landfill, soil, or the ocean, biodegradable packaging typically decomposes at the same speed as traditional plastic, although this can vary. Unlike compostable materials, biodegradable packaging doesn’t have a consistent global certification standard, which can sometimes lead to confusion.

It’s important to dispose of compostable packaging in the correct way to reap the benefits. If it goes into general waste, it’ll end up in landfill and won’t have the right conditions to do what it was designed to do.

Compostable packaging needs the right environment for microorganisms to thrive and consume the materials. The best environment for this is industrial composting facilities, as it provides warm temperatures, moisture, oxygen and nutrients. In these optimal conditions, compostable packaging can usually break down in less than 26 weeks and once ready, it looks like dark, crumbly topsoil with an earthy odour. It can then be disposed of in garden soil to enrich plants with nutrients.

Even without a back garden, compostable rubbish can often be collected as part of the food waste or green waste collection services offered by local councils. But, it’s worth noting that compostable packaging can’t be recycled and must be disposed of in the correct way.

Returning to nature

One of the biggest benefits of compostable packaging is that it can help reduce landfill waste because it’s designed to breakdown in the right environment.

Reduce carbon footprint

Compostable packaging leads to fewer carbon emissions as it requires less energy to manufacture than synthetic materials like plastic. This reduces the carbon footprint of businesses, alongside consumer.

Satisfy customer requirements & capture customer interests

Consumers are increasingly interested in sustainable products and have concerns about what their packaging is made from, but they can only do so much. They need the sustainable option to be available to them in the first place, which is where a brand’s responsibility lies.

Offering compostable packaging enhances the customer experience, giving them several options to dispose of their packaging responsibly. Even if they don’t have the necessary waste facilities available to them, commercial composting is still an option.

Help to promote biodiversity

Compostable materials also help to promote biodiversity, supporting an important and prolific ecosystem. It lessens waste production and the reliance on landfills, and can even capture and destroy 99.9% of chemicals in contaminated air.

Free from toxins or allergens

Since compostable packaging is usually made from natural materials, it’s usually free from toxins or allergens. This means that it’s a suitable option for all businesses and customer bases.

Compliance with regulations

The natural materials found in compostable packaging help businesses comply with regulations, including the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which outlines the need for reporting on packaging and keeps businesses accountable for how it’s made.

Boost ESG performance

By using compostable packaging, you’re reducing the amount of carbon your business uses and making a positive contribution towards reducing levels of pollution in the air, groundwater and soil. Composting can be rewarding for not only your brand image and moral compass, but also for your ESG performance. If you want current and future generations to spend money on your products, you need to think green.

At Tyler Packaging, we’ve worked with businesses to produce packaging that is 100% sustainable and compostable, using renewable materials that naturally break down in a controlled timeframe, returning the materials to nature.

We also comply with the requirements of both the TUV/Vinçotte Industrial and Home compostable certifications and the EU harmonised standard EN 13432L2000. Compliance with these certifications can be altered depending on design and ink coverage.

Compostable packaging options

We have a range of compostable packaging options depending on your needs, which you can explore below.

Compostable pouches

Our Compostable Flat Based Pouch and Compostable Stand Up Pouch are created using 45% less fossil fuel and 57% less water compared to traditional packaging, and production emits 23% fewer greenhouse gases. These pouches have many benefits, including saving up 1,134 trees grown from 10-year-old seedlings and having a time-controlled breakdown to ensure they’re environmentally friendly for their entire lifecycle.

Compostable film

Our Compostable Films can be composted at home in under 26 weeks, or with industrial composters in less than 12 weeks. Made from renewable materials, production of these films uses less water, fewer fumes, less power and reduced miles.

Digital print

For extra flexibility while still having all the benefits of compostable packaging, our digital print is the ideal solution. We offer customisations such as rounded corners, product windows and resealable pouches, depending on your needs.

Switching to sustainable packaging is made easy with Tyler Packaging; we’re confident that we can work with you to find the right type of packaging for your product.

Give us a call on 01926 651451 or email us at info@tylerpackaging.co.uk, or order a sample pack to see for yourself.