5 Must-Have Features in a Degradable General & Multi-use Bags

In this age where more and more humans are gaining environmental consciousness, businesses are adopting sustainable practices. One of the many practices that is gaining major attention is reusable product packaging. Not only does that fit right with the eco-friendly movement, but it exhibits myriad benefits, innovative features and pragmatic tips that can revolutionize how brands package and supply products. In this post, you will delve into the world of reusable packaging; unpack its benefits, key features and the latest trends you must know for winning implementation.

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WHAT IS REUSABLE PACKAGING?

Reusable packaging describes a sustainable approach to product packaging that is designed particularly for multiple cycles of use. Unlike single-use solutions, reusable packaging is crafted from durable materials, striving to reduce waste while embracing environmental conservation. It focuses on durability, ease of access and cleaning and often comes equipped with sealing mechanisms and stackability. Reusable packaging reduces resource consumption and waste generation by allowing products to be shipped, stored and sold without the need for constant replacement. This sustainable practice helps businesses by lowering expenses over time while positively contributing to the brand image and customer satisfaction.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF REUSABLE PACKAGING?

Environmental Impact: The most popular benefit of reusable packaging is its amazing and positive environmental impact. Unlike conventional single-use packaging, reusable options reduce waste generation and consumption of natural resources significantly. This helps combat pollution, lower carbon footprint, conserve energy and contribute to a better and greener planet.

Save Money: While the initial investment in reusable product packaging might be higher, the long-term cost savings are unquestionable. Conventional single-use packaging requires incessant repurchasing. However, reusable packaging is durable and designed to withstand numerous cycles, leading to reduced packaging expenses. You cannot negate the wonders of reusable packaging.

Improved Brand Image: Embracing reusable packaging demonstrates a brand’s commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. This, in turn, attract environmentally conscious customer, improve brand loyalty and sets a positive example for the industry.

Excellent Protection: Reusable packaging boasts superior durability and sturdy layering, ensuring protection for the contents within. This is integral for delicate and perishable goods, reducing the risk of damage during shipping and storage. Flexible packaging solutions help protect the content of all nature until it arrives at its destination.

Customization: Reusable packaging offers incredible scope for unique creations and innovation. Businesses can design packaging that aligns right with their brand identity while considering the specific needs of their customers and products. This creative approach helps improve the overall customer experience.

WHAT ARE THE KEY FEATURES OF REUSABLE PACKAGING?

Unlike conventional single-use counterparts, reusable packaging has various features that benefit the brand, customers and our planet. Let’s delve into the five major features that make reusable packaging a game-changer in this age:

1.Durability: The cornerstone of reusable packaging remains its exceptional durability. Unlike disposable options, which compromise on material quality to lower costs, reusable packaging is built to last long. This packaging is engineered to withstand anything and is designed using the best and most robust materials, such as glass, plastics, metals and fabrics. This amazing feature ensures that products remain protected and secured during their lifecycles, reducing the need for frequent replacement and waste generation.

2.Material Selection: The choice of materials for reusable packaging is crucial. Businesses are opting for environmentally friendly materials that balance robustness with sustainability. Recycled plastics, compostable materials and organic textiles are used to minimize the ecological footprint of packaging. By making green choices, businesses contribute to waste reduction and send a powerful message about their commitment to production.

3.Efficient Sealant:Preserving the integrity of products is a crucial concern to packaging; for that, incorporating an efficient sealing mechanism helps prevent leaks and maintains freshness. It could be airtight seals, innovative locking systems or snap-lock closures. This feature is beneficial for products that are sensitive to moisture, air and contamination. You can opt for re-sealable bags or pouches for your food items.

4.Ease of Cleaning: Hygiene is paramount, especially in food packaging that can be reused. Reusable packaging is crafted with easy cleaning and storage in mind. Smooth surfaces, highly resistant materials and detachable components contribute to a hassle-free cleaning procedure. This factor is integral as it guarantees that the packaging retains its functionality, appeal and safety after each use, promoting customer satisfaction and product shelf life.

5.Stackability & Nesting: Efficient storage and shipping are essential considerations in packaging design. Reusable packaging solution often comes incorporated with nesting feature and stackability. Stackable design enables multiple containers to be neatly piled, saving space in the warehouse, during shipping and on retail shelves. The nesting option enables containers to fit right within each other when not in use, eliminating the storage footprint. The efficiency improves logistics, lowering the cost of shipping and optimizing space utilization.

With our planet demanding sustainable practices, reusable packaging stands as a testament to innovation meeting responsibility. Embrace the aforementioned key features as they contribute a lot to a greener future but also reflect positively on businesses by demonstrating their dedication to ethical practices to adapt to evolving consumer preferences.

UNPACK THE TRENDING TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE REUSABLE PACKAGING

Design for Dismantlement: When creating reusable packaging, focus on designs that can be disassembled easily. This facilitates maintenance, cleaning, potential repairs, and whatnot, thereby extending the lifespan of the packaging.

Modular Components: Incorporating modular components in your packaging design enables adaptability and flexibility. It allows customization based on the type of product being shipped, improving its versatility.

Eco-Friendly Materials: Embrace sustainable materials that fit with your brand’s value and environmental commitment. Recycled plastics, organic textiles and biodegradable materials help reduce the overall carbon footprint.

Collaboration Works:Collaborate with logistics partners, suppliers and customers to implement a winning reusable packaging strategy. This streamlines the entire procedure, from design to end-of-life management.

Inform Customers: It is important to encourage the adoption of reusable packaging, which is why you must educate customers about its usage and benefits. Add clear instructions to foster responsible consumption.

ENDNOTE

The Truth About Biodegradable Trash Bags … and the Compostable Alternative

Plastic has changed our world. It has touched almost every facet of our lives from the way we drink, live, eat, care for our sick, package items, carry our belongings, etc. A great deal of it has brought powerful, important changes. However, today we are better educated about the negative impact it can have on the environment. We also recognize improperly discarded plastic is one of the most urgent problems facing the environment today. Plastics accounted for 12 percent of the 292 million tons of municipal solid waste generated in the U.S. in , totaling some 35.7 million tons. However, the volume of plastic waste recycled in the U.S. that year was 3.1 million tons, giving a recycling rate of just 8.7 percent. 

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Being so aware of this conflict is what drives our commitment to finding greener ways of dealing with trash, especially when it comes to the production and disposal of plastic bags. It has also driven innovation: biodegradable plastic bags have been inspired by the need for environmental change. But like all new technologies, a great deal of information has been misunderstood. There are still some “secrets” surrounding the world of biodegradable trash bags. 

Secret #1: The term “biodegradable” (and sister terms) is often misunderstood.  

To best define what “biodegradable” means in the trash bag world, comparisons can help to better understand what it is and what it is not. 

“Regular” trash bags are made from a synthetic material created from petrochemicals. Without boring you with the science that fascinates us — basically, the long polymer chains in traditional plastics like polyethylene are so resilient and resistant to breakdown that they can last for hundreds of years. These are the dirty holdouts of the plastic world — the ones that will be around for generations. 

Biodegradable plastic is also made from petrochemicals BUT is manufactured differently so that it can begin to break down more quickly in the presence of air and sunshine. You might see this plastic labeled as photodegradable or oxo-degradable.

Bioplastic is a biobased plastic that comes from renewable biomass, meaning plants. It is made from organic, renewable sources, such as vegetable oils, corn starch and grains. It is even made sometimes from algae and seaweed! 

Secret #2: Biodegradables are the “Wild West” of trash bags.

One of the first problems with “biodegradable plastic” was that, in the early days, there was no consensus on what qualified as biodegradable and therefore it has evolved in a way that is not regulated. 

Dubious claims abounded as companies rushed to get on the green bandwagon and made all kinds of promises to consumers that were simply not true.

Eventually, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stepped in with a strict set of guidelines defining exactly what could and could not be labeled as biodegradable. For a full explanation, you can take a look at the “Truth in Advertising” section of the FTC Green Guides here, but in short, when the term  “biodegradable” is used for marketing purposes, it includes a time component regarding the length of time it takes for the plastic to fully degrade. According to the EPA, an item truly qualifies as “biodegradable” if the items completely decompose within one year after customary disposal. Items that are customarily disposed of in landfills , incinerators and recycling facilities are deceptive because these locations do not present conditions in which complete decomposition will occur within one year. 

Even today, while the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) sets definitions and standards (which we’ll discuss in a minute), and the Federal Trade Commission is responsible for enforcement against false or deceptive product labeling,  there is little solid standard and burden of proof for biodegradability since so much is on the consumer to dispose properly. 

That is because so much of a bag being biodegradable depends on…

Secret #3: Location, location, location. 

One of THE MOST important aspects of using biodegradable products is where and how it is disposed. Beyond how a bag is manufactured or what it is composed of, the location of its final destination will also define the effectiveness of the product. 

Most biodegradable garbage bags end up in landfills but the conditions in a landfill are extremely hostile to the biodegrading process. Nothing is meant to decompose there: air, moisture and sunlight, the three factors most necessary to decomposition, are purposely kept out of landfills to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.Instead, a biodegradable trash bag must be disposed of in a place where it can receive the proper amount of oxygen and airflow. Many customers are unaware that landfills, incinerators and recycling facilities DO NOT offer this. Therefore, to complete its “destiny” as a biodegradable bag, it must be disposed of properly — typically in an industrial-grade composting facility.  

Simply put, you cannot send biodegradable bags to a landfill and expect it to have any positive environmental impact. They will overstay their welcome on this planet like regular plastic.

Secret #4: The dream job of all biodegradables is “bio-assimilation.”

The ideal function of a biodegradable garbage bag or any bag striving to be a good environmental citizen is bio-assimilation. If a bag "bio-assimilates,” it means that the plastic has degraded to a molecular weight that can be consumed by living organisms. Imagine…trash as food. Only when there is no trash of the bag left behind have we received the final nirvana. This final and conclusive stage of plastic biodegradation leaves behind no microplastics, in both marine and terrestrial environments. 

Secret #5:  You may be saying “biodegradable” when in reality you want compostable. 

We like to say that a compostable bag is a “lazy environmentalist’s” dream — it does all the work with far less human confusion.  

Because of its unique chemical properties, compostable trash bags will do just that: turn to compost more easily.  In other words, you can’t just throw a biodegradable trash bag on your compost pile and think it will decompose. It can’t — the temperature won’t get hot enough. But compostable trash bags will turn into compost sometimes, right in your own backyard. (Please note: If your compostable bag can be used at home, the label will indicate that the product is okay for home composting.) To learn more about composting at home and how to do it right, visit EPA Guide to Composting.

Otherwise, generally, compostable waste bags are intended to be sent to an industrial or commercial composting facility that contains higher temperatures and different breakdown conditions than those found in a typical homeowner’s compost bin. Again, don’t expect a compostable trash bag to break down in your backyard composter unless it specifically says it’s suitable for home composting use.A great first step is to check if your community has a residential compost collection program. They will be able to help you better understand whether compostable garbage bags will be accepted under this program.Shop Our Collection of Compostable Trash Bags Here

Secret #6: Look for compliance with the ASTM D standard to help you determine when garbage bags are actually compostable.

The ASTM D standard is the best indicator to use if you’re hunting for compostable trash bags. This standard defines what plastics should be called “compostable” according to how much of a given plastic bag decomposes within a set amount of time, given the right conditions like heat and moisture. 

One easy way to find out if a product is compliant with this standard is to look for plastic products with the BPI Certified Compostable logo. The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is an independent environmental group that works with bioplastics businesses to test and certify their products as biodegradable or compostable. If your trash can liners are BPI Certified Compostable, as Plasticplace’s compostable trash bags are, you can be confident that they’ve been put through rigorous third-party testing to confirm their ASTM D compliance.

Note that a BPI/ASTM certification only tells you whether a product will undergo degradation in industrial and municipal composters. Many BPI-certified products still aren’t intended for backyard composting, so once again, don’t put a compostable trash bag into the backyard compost with your food scraps. If you’re really curious about the trashy details, you can read up on the BPI’s labeling guidelines.

All that aside, compostable trash bags are the number one choice for anyone seeking an eco-friendly trash bag option. They can take a big bite out of your home or business’s plastic footprint, and they’re especially important for California residents taking part in the state’s mandatory composting program. Naturally, this is why all of Plasticplace’s compostable garbage bags are BPI certified for ASTM D compliance!

Secret #7: Compostable trash bags need to be filled with compost.

Remember that non-compostable trash should never go into a compostable trash bag. If you send your local compost facility a compostable trash bag filled with non-compostable plastic waste, like plastic grocery bags, that waste has no path to its proper spot in the landfill. It will end up as a contaminant at your compost facility. Instead, fill your compostable garbage bags with traditional compost materials like food waste and yard waste (plus any other certified compostable materials you might need to throw away). Check your local composting center’s regulations to verify what kind of materials they do and don’t accept.

Secret #8: Biodegradable concepts perpetuate single-use plastic use. 

The concept that we are buying a “biodegradable” bag or “environmentally friendly” bag allows us to use one-time plastics more “guilt-free.”  This mentality can lead to an increase in plastic use. Once it's understood that a biodegradable bag will still have a significant environmental impact, especially when improperly disposed of, it is easier to accept the importance of minimizing one-time plastic use and recycling.  

Foremost, when possible, select reusable products instead of disposable ones.  

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