What Are Biodegradable Bags? The Best Approach and Solution!

Consumer consumption has been at its highest ever, causing a massive surge in plastic bags and packaging. The concern of disposing of them other than landfilling or burning is critical the more environmentally aware and conscious we become. The logical approach is to understand what are biodegradable bags and packages are and how to improve them.

In this article, we examine just that: its benefits, other types of sustainable bags and packaging, and some great alternatives.

What Does Biodegradable Mean?

A biodegradable material degrades much faster than typical plastic items. They don’t need specialized facilities or means to degrade it. It does take time, and if they are biodegradable plastic bags, taking care of the leftover plastic is a different aspect. Here are a few differences between biodegradable materials and plastics:

• They break down naturally.
• Don’t release harmful gases during the breakdown.
• No pollution, both in water and on land.
• It is different from compostable products (We discuss that in detail below).

What Happens to Plastic Bags?

According to a Statista report, more than 300 million people in the United States use traditional plastic bag material. This massive amount cannot be easily discarded, as we know these plastics can take more than 1,000 years to convert into microplastics. This situation is further exacerbated by the fact that microplastics can end up everywhere, including streams, land, soil, oceans, and more. This situation is highly destructive to different kinds of life forms, like birds and fish.

What is the Difference Between Bioplastic and Biodegradable Plastic?

When we talk about what are biodegradable bags, you need to clear one confusion: the difference between them.

• Biobased—When we use biodegradable, we mean biobased, such as made from plants and biomass material, which includes cellulose, sugarcane, etc. These sources allow even PET to be made from such materials.
• Biodegradation – It is the process of converting bags of different materials into natural materials with the help of natural elements or microorganisms. No artificial additives are needed to convert them into CO2 and water and make them compostable.

So, when you use bioplastic, you are talking about all the materials, even plastic, that you make from biodegradable materials and that have similar properties. In the same way, compostable materials can be treated with microbial end-of-life organisms for easy treatment.

Finally, these biodegradable plastic bags are faster if they include oxo as an additive, even if they are PET, PP, or PE.

Benefits of Biodegradable Bags

Let’s discuss some amazing benefits that come with using Biodegradable bags for your coffee and other products.

Nature Friendly

Their nature is to efficiently and easily disappear without taxing the environment. The process can be better controlled in a specialized facility.

Non-Dependency on Petroleum Sources

Most biodegradable materials are made from renewable materials, especially of plant origin. These biobased materials are the most environmentally friendly. In some cases, such as PE lined with PE material, they are recyclable but biodegradable in plants, not otherwise.

Reduction in Carbon Emissions

Whether used for manufacturing, usage, or degradation, Biodegradable bags produce the minimum amount of carbon emissions. This carbon neutrality is primarily due to the use of plant-based components in their manufacturing. These emissions are much lower than those in plastic bags and packaging.

Recyclability

The use of non-plastic and renewable materials makes them easily recyclable and reusable in other materials. All plastic materials use a multitude of fillers and additives that make recycling extremely difficult.

What are the Alternatives to Plastic Bags?

Now that we understand why Biodegradable bags are necessary for coffee bags, food items, packaging, and more, let’s discuss some important alternatives.

Biodegradable Plastics

These plastic bags or their liners are made from biodegradable material. Please do not confuse them with being natural or made from plant sources. They do degrade faster than regular plastics, though.

Oxo-Degradable

Recently, many manufacturers have been making or marketing ‘oxo-degradable’ packaging material or bags. These types of bags can decompose in the presence of oxygen and don’t need any additives or microorganisms to degrade them. However, what remains will still be plastic, even if it is microplastic.

Bioplastics

Plastics made from plant-based materials are as simple as that. The most common plant-based materials used here are:

• Corn
• Potato starch
• Vegetable oils
• Grains etc.

Compostable Bags

These bags are more eco-friendly than bioplastics or biodegradable plastics. With the right conditions, they can be fully broken down into components that are not only natural but also harmless to the environment.

Keep in mind that they must be composted and not recycled or put into a landfill, and they must have a proper certification confirming their ability to be composted.

Best Ways to Make Bags Eco-Friendly

Here are a few ways:

• You can start buying from brands that use renewable resources in their bag production. If that isn’t possible, go for the ones that use recycled material post-customer feed.
• Recycle whatever bags you consume or ensure you supply them to drop points where a specialist facility can take care of them.
• Start recycling food waste, which can make composting these bags easier.
• Use microplastics to make different plastic products that are left after the biodegradation of some bag materials.
• Making biodegradable plastics requires using as few fossil fuels as possible. Relying on as few petroleum products as possible can reduce their environmental impact.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take A Plastic Bag To Biodegrade?

The degradation time depends on factors like temperature, light, bacteria, etc. So, it can range from 10 to over 100 years for a regular plastic bag. This time frame is much longer than that of a biodegradable bag, which can, at most, take just 2 years. No wonder demand is increasing for Biodegradable bags.

What Are Biodegradable Bags Made From?

There are primarily two sources. The first uses petroleum materials, but with additives that can decompose or degrade the bags faster. The ^second and most preferred is using renewable and plant-based materials.

What’s The Difference Between Compostable Bags and Biodegradable Bags?

The first main difference is that small compostable bags will have 100% plant-based sources, which isn’t always true for Biodegradable bags. ^{The second} is that they degrade faster compared to Biodegradable bags. Finally, not all Biodegradable bags are compostable.

Are Biodegradable Bags Better Than Plastic?

Yes. The primary reason behind this importance is the time it takes to decompose or degrade to as many basic constituents as possible. Simple plastic takes 100 times or more to degrade compared to bio plastic bags.

Final Words

When we discuss what are biodegradable bags, some may ask, are they even good for the environment? As you have read in the article, they deteriorate much faster than plastic bags, thus reducing the need for more specialized facilities and using landfills to cut corners.

You, as a business or a consumer, can do your part by sourcing as many naturally sourced materials as possible and supporting local recycling facilities. If you need more advice and information, be sure to visit our Recyclable Bags page.