There are many packaging materials in today's market labelled "eco-friendly", but just how eco-friendly are they?

With so many materials claiming to be sustainable, it can be challenging to discern which options truly align with your business's values and environmental standards.

This blog will delve into the pros and cons of some of the most popular packaging materials. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions, ensuring that your packaging choices not only resonate with your brand but also align with environmentally conscious choices.

Palm Leaf

Pros:

• Made from fallen dehydrated pam leaves
• Compostable & biodegradable
• Low carbon footprint - no trees need to be cut down
• Leak resistent & durable

Cons:

• More expensive than other materials
• Cannot be reused for wet foods
• Not suitable for long-term storage

Commonly found in: deli pots, plates, souffle pots, sushi box, trays, bento box

Molded Fiber

Pros:

• Compostable & biodegradable
• A highly renewable material
• Uses less energy to produce than other materials
• Freezer & microwave safe
• Cost effective
• A highly renewable material

Cons:

• May contain PFAS, a chemical that is banned in certain states

Commonly found in: clamshell boxes, deli pots, soup bowls, plates, cutlery

Paper

Pros:

• 100% recyclable
• Derived from natural resources
• Reusable up to 5-7 times
• Higher biodegradation rate than plastics
• Can be made using recycled board (Bioboxes)

Cons:

• Poor liquid barrier unless lined with Aqueous, PLA, or PE lining
• Non recyclable when lined with certain materials

Commonly found in: hot cups, cold cups, plates, bags, straws, cup holders

PHA Plastic

Pros:

• Biodegradable
• Durable and flexible
• Decomposes without leaving behind harmful residues
• Made from renewable sources like plant-based materials & waste
• Doesn't depend on fossil fuels for production (lowers carbon footprint)

Cons:

• More expensive than other materials
• Limited supply available on the market

Commonly found in: bags

PE Plastic (Polyethylene)

Pros:

• Durable
• Recyclable
• Suitable for hot and cold temperatures
• Cost effective

Cons:

• Often improperly disposed to landfills
• Requires a lot of energy to produce

Commonly found in: water bottles, coffee cup lining, bio box lining, soup cup lining

Birchwood

Pros:

• Suitable for both hot & cold temperatures
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Industrially compostable

Cons:

• Weak material
• Contributes to deforestation

Commonly found in: plates, cutlery, trays, bento boxes

Cornstarch PSM (Plastarch)

Pros:

• Industrially compostable
• Produces less greenhouse gases than traditional plastics
• Made from corn, a renewable source
• Grease & water resistent without lining

Cons:

• Often mixed with oil-based platics to be sturdy
• Not bioderadable, takes many years to begin degrading
• Not home compostable

Commonly found in: cold cups, souffle pots, soup bowls, straws, salad bowls

PP Plastic (Polypropylene)

Pros:

• Recyclable
• Cost effective
• Highly durable & resistent to chemicals, mold, and bacteria
• Grease & water resistent

Cons:

• Not compostable or biodegradable
• Energy required for production is more harmful to the environment than other materials
• Often ends up in landfills, where it takes over 100 years to degrade

Commonly found in: hot cup lids, cold cup lids, deli pots, clamshell boxes, trays

PET Plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

Pros:

• 100% recyclable when rinsed
• Lightweight yet durable
• Cost effective

Cons:

• Not compostable or biodegradable
• Partially derived from crude oils
• Low heat resistence
• More harmful to the environment than other eco friendly materials

Commonly found in: clamshell boxes, cold cups & lids, salad bowls, bento boxes

PLA Plastic (Polylactic Acid)

Pros:

• Industrially compostable
• Produces 80% less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional plastics
• Made from renewable sources like sugarcane or corn

Cons:

• Non-recyclable & not home compostable
• Often incorrectly disposed
• Releases methane during decomposition
• Can change the PH levels of soil when composted
• More expensive than other plastics

Commonly found in: cold cups & lids, soup bowls, salad bowls, straws, flow wrap

PS Plastic (Polystyrene - commonly called styrofoam)

Pros:

• Cost effective
• Can be transparent & lightweight

Cons:

• Not recyclable or compostable
• Takes over 500 years to decompose
• Releases harmful chemicals in the process of decomposition
• Contributes to plastic pollution & rising landfill levels
• Prone to UV degradation
• Highly flammable

Commonly found in: clamshell boxes, plates, straws, hot & cold cup lids, cutlery

While no disposable or single-use products can be deemed entirely sustainable due to inevitable waste generation, being informed allows us to make more responsible choices. By carefully considering the pros and cons of each option, we can minimize our environmental impact and work towards a greener future.

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