Technical

Bioplastics make good business sense
One of the most visible places for change is in the foodservice business. There are a myriad of options available now to replace traditional plastic with bioplastic, with more products being added all the time.

All other things being equal, independent research has shown a majority of customers would patronize a business that is “green” over one that isn’t. As environmental awareness rises in the general population, consumer demand for sustainable products and offerings is also rising.

Showing customers that you actively support the environment by sending them away with their purchases in recyclable and compostable packaging is not only good for business, it’s good for the planet.

Sustainable, safer and cleaner
Using renewable, biomass sources to manufacture bioplastics helps to lessen our dependence on oil. As more businesses switch to using bioplastics, the more it will help reduce that dependence and could save them serious money as petroleum prices rise.

Up to 65% less energy is needed to produce bioplastics than petroleum-based plastics. And no hydrocarbons are released when bioplastics are properly composted.

Bioplastics are non-toxic, so they’re safe for food and do not impart flavors. They are also safer for the environment, and in optimum conditions, will degrade at an exponentially faster rate than traditional plastic.

Bioplastics are a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics
Sourced from biomass, bioplastic products are typically made from plant matter such as vegetable starch, cane sugar, soy protein, cellulose (wood fibers) and lactic acid. In the foodservice industry, applications range from clear food trays and containers to organic waste bags.

Most bioplastics today are engineered to be compostable and to biodegrade safely in a properly managed, municipal composting facility. In this environment, biodegradation occurs in a combination of water, heat and microbial activity, resulting in a mixture of carbon dioxide and water vapor, which is completely mineralized by microorganisms and turned into humus, or compost.

Standards that these products meet, such as ASTM D6400 and D6868 can help ensure the products you buy are compostable.

There are some bio-based, bioplastic products that do contain petroleum-derived additives, however these polymers have been engineered to safely biodegrade and properly compost.

Bioplastic Packaging Products
Continued improvements and new developments in bioplastics have led to the large-scale manufacture of sustainable products that can compete successfully in today’s marketplace — in features, performance, and price. Natureworks Packaging carries some of the most common ones: