What is compostable packaging?

Compostable packaging is made, disposed of and broken down in an environmentally friendly way. With a society that is becoming increasingly aware and passionate about tackling plastic pollution and waste, compostable packaging is 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 combination of various recycled, plant-based materials. Commonly, these include wood pulp, potato starch, bagasse, fungi, cotton and palm leaves.

These natural materials are what makes compostable packaging so environmentally friendly. Other forms of packaging can create toxic chemicals or harmful particles when disposed of, but compostable packaging’s natural make-up means that it actually provides benefits to the environment when disposed of, and keeps our soil healthy.

It’s really important to dispose of compostable packaging in the correct way in order to reap the benefits. If it goes into the general waste bin, it will 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 a compost bin, as it provides warm temperatures, moisture, oxygen and nutrients. In these optimal conditions, compostable packaging can usually break down in 12 weeks and once ready, will look like dark, crumbly topsoil with an earthy odour. Then, it can be disposed of into garden soil to enrich plants with nutrients.

Even without a back garden, compostable rubbish can often be collected as part of the green waste collection services offered by local councils.

The biggest benefit of compostable packaging is that it is 100% environmentally friendly. As a brand packaging products in 2021, it is ever-more important that you take your carbon footprint into account. In today’s society, consumers are concerned with what their packaging is made out of, leading to a more cautious approach to shopping.

In fact, 80% of shoppers describe themselves as ‘environmentally friendly’. But after all, consumers 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.

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.

By using compostable packaging, you will reduce the amount of carbon your business uses and make 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 the environment. If you want current and future generations to spend money on your products, you need to think green.

At Tyler Packaging, we make a range of compostable, plastic-free pouches which reduce packaging by 95% when compared to rigid containers. These pouches can be designed to suit your needs, providing the right protection for the products inside.

Our packaging complies 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.

We already provide packaging for companies across multiple industries including pet foods, human foods, garden and leisure – and many more. If you would like some more information about how we can help you with your sustainable packaging requirements, please contact us today.