Advances in technology have brought packaging to whole new levels of convenience and use. Plastics are now the dominant packaging media. Plastic packaging is used for salads, computer software and strawberries. In recent years the technological advances in plastics have focused on becoming more environmentally friendly, sustainable and even biodegradable packaging solutions are now available.
Traditional plastic packaging is made from petroleum that biodegrades slowly if at all. Plastics much to the size of our landfills, are harmful to wildlife, the environment, and are a factor in the increase of greenhouse gases. As an alternative, the wave of the future has brought us renewable plastic and biodegradable packaging materials.
Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will decompose naturally in the environment. This is accomplished through making the plastic out of ingredients that can be metabolized by microorganisms. Although some petroleum-based plastic will biodegrade eventually, this process takes a very long time and contributes to global warming through the release of carbon dioxide. On the other hand, plastic based in renewable raw materials can be almost carbon neutral, and will biodegrade much faster in the natural environment.
Additionally renewable plastic helps ensure the sustainability of the earth. Petroleum-based plastic is derived from oil, a limited resource. Moving from traditional plastic to renewable plastic is absolutely necessary in our effort to break the oil addiction. Renewable plastic is derived from natural plant products such as corn, oats and other plants. PLA (polylactic acid) is the most widely researched and used 100% biodegradable plastic packaging solution currently, made entirely from corn based cornstarch.
In addition to biodegradable plastic packaging there are now packaging materials made from hemp, bamboo and rice fibers are becoming increasingly available and durable. Most of these materials have been FDA approved as well making them good for foods as well.
At OceansGreen if you are interested we can help you find packaging solutions that (1) are biodegradable offering more disposal options and (2) are more environmentally friendly to manufacture than traditional petroleum-based products. Derived from 100% annually renewable resources such as plants, our products are aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the sustainability of the earth.
