10 Biodegradable and Recyclable Materials for Packaging

Considering the uncontrolled increase in climate change, global warming, and environmental pollution, most people are adopting eco-friendly practices. Considering this, the importance of eco-friendly packaging is increasing these days. According to a report shared by PR Newswire,

“Around 82% of buyers are willing to pay more for sustainable product packaging.”

If you want to make a statement as a responsible business, you can use eco-friendly packaging that attracts eco-conscious buyers. However, endless options are available in the market when it comes to choosing sustainable product packaging. Which one you should choose is an important question to answer.

In this blog, we will explore 10 biodegradable & recyclable materials that you can opt for to make eco-friendly packaging. We will also discuss the benefits of using these environmentally friendly packaging solutions for your business. Read on to find more!

Difference Between Compostable, Biodegradable and Recyclable Materials

Before we delve into the sustainable packaging material options, let’s discuss what features make this packaging eco-friendly. Here is a brief overview of the difference between compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable packaging materials:

• Compostable Packaging Material

Compostable packaging material is the one that can be converted into a plant fertilizer. We know the fact that fertilizers are necessary to promote plant growth. A packaging material that packs products and once wasted can be composted is an excellent symbiotic solution for businesses.

Using a compostable material not only fulfills the product packaging needs but also contributes to the greener future of our planet by promoting plant growth.

• Biodegradable Packaging Material

Biodegradable packaging material is the one that vanishes from our planet over time. These materials are mostly composed of organic materials that microbes can eat. This process is called biodegradation. It helps to convert nutrients in those materials into a reusable form that can be taken up by the nutrient cycle of the environment.

• Recyclable Packaging Material

Recyclable packaging material has become the need of the hour these days. This is because recycling old material and reusing it to make packaging is an efficient method to reduce landfills and fulfill the packaging needs of many businesses.

10 Biodegradable and Recyclable Materials

Now that we know the significant features of eco-friendly packaging, let’s dive into 10 biodegradable and recyclable materials for your product packaging. These packaging materials not only say a big hello to the greener future of our planet but also help you boost your brand.

• Kraft Bags

Custom kraft packaging is an excellent option if you want to pack your products safely. Kraft paper is famous for its high tensile strength. It can protect the products packed in its packaging from bumps and knocks of the environment.

Also, kraft is one of those biodegradable packaging materials that leave no carbon footprint. Kraft packaging decomposes completely under natural circumstances without leaving hazardous elements. Also, it can be composted and recycled and used to make paperboard or fertilizers.

The best thing about kraft paper is that its strength remains good even after getting recycled. A minor decrease in durability can be observed, yet it can be covered by enhancing its thickness.

Tidbit: Why Kraft Paper is Used to Make Eco-Friendly Product Packaging?

• Bioplastic Bags

Polythene and other types of plastic materials are considered to be harmful to the environment. The reason is that plastic does not degrade naturally and adds toxins to the environment that cause pollution.

However, the amazing strength, cost-effectiveness, and convenient availability of plastic make it an excellent option for product packaging. 

Those who plan to go eco-friendly with their product packaging can opt for bioplastic. This type of plastic is one of the most reliable biodegradable packaging materials. It decomposes naturally like other biodegradable materials posing no harm to our planet.

• Cardboard Boxes

Personalized cardboard boxes are an excellent packaging solution for those who want to go for elegant yet eco-friendly packaging options. Cardboard is a paper-based material like kraft. So, it is also biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable.

The best thing about cardboard packaging is that you can customize it according to your preferences. You can alter the shapes and sizes of cardboard to make boxes of your choice. Also, you can easily print your brand logo, text, persuasive imagery, etc, on cardboard boxes.

For this reason, these boxes are perfect for those looking for a customer-grabbing packaging option that is sustainable as well.

• Bamboo Packaging

Bamboo packaging is another wood-based material you can choose to make a wide range of packaging products. Bamboo is a renewable source of packaging material. It grows fast and requires less effort and space to grow.

Despite being easy to grow, this packaging material is famous for its high tensile strength. It is considered to be the best alternative to polystyrene products that are harmful to our environment. Bamboo packaging is 100% recyclable which helps minimize load on landfills.

Bamboo can be used to make a wide range of packaging like disposable cups, trays, and clamshell boxes. This plant-based material also helps make food-grade packaging to pack edible products safely.

• Seaweed Packaging

Seaweed packaging is one of the most popular alternatives to plastic bags and boxes. The reason is that this plant-based packaging possesses nearly all the beneficial properties of plastic when it comes to making packaging from it.

You can use seaweed to make many types of packaging products from boxes and bags to pouches. This material is highly flexible allowing you to mold its shape according to your packaging requirements.

The sustainable properties of seaweed include biodegradability, recyclability, and compostability. Also, packaging made from this material does not leave any toxic chemicals behind.

• Cornstarch Packaging

Like seaweed, cornstarch is another amazing option if you are looking for a biodegradable alternative to plastic packaging. You can make containers, trays, bags, plates, and more from cornstarch. Cornstarch packaging is famous for its durability. So, it can protect the products packed inside.

This type of packaging is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. This is one of the reasons cornstarch packaging covers a high market volume. According to a report shared by Future Market Insights:

“The cornstarch packaging market volume was around US$ 233 million in 2023.”

• Mushroom Packaging

Mushroom packaging is also becoming popular in the market due to its biodegradable and recyclable material. Also, this type of packaging is robust enough to protect the items packed in it from any type of damage.

Mushroom-based packaging is made from mycelium, a vegetative part of a mushroom. The cellulosic byproduct of mushrooms is also used to make many types of packaging for retail products. Like seaweed and cornstarch, mushrooms can also be used to make a wide range of products without any worries.

This packaging is the best alternative to styrofoam. The cushioning properties of mushroom packaging make it excellent for packing delicate products. 

• Paperboard Packaging

Paperboard is another paper-based material option to make excellent product packaging for your business. Such biodegradable packaging materials are mostly made from recycled kraft or corrugated cardboard, etc.

They are biodegradable yet flexible packaging materials. You can easily customize their shapes and sizes according to your liking. Despite having a porous surface, you can apply various inks for printing purposes on them.

The tensile strength of paperboard is a bit lesser than kraft and cardboard. However, you can cope with this problem by using thicker paperboard for your product packaging.

• Corrugated Cardboard

When it comes to shipping your product safely in eco-friendly packaging options, opt for corrugated cardboard boxes. These boxes come with multilayer protection that protects items packed inside them from bumps and knocks of transit and handling.

Corrugated boxes have fluted kraft paper layers sandwiched between plain cardboard or kraft layers. The fluted part provides a cushioning effect. This is the reason, corrugated boxes are the first choice of the suppliers when it comes to shipping delicate products.

•  Organic Fabric Packaging

Organic fabric is one of the best alternatives to plastic when it comes to making euro or tote bags for shopping. Many fabric options are available that are recyclable and biodegradable. They are mostly made from organic materials.

The popular options include organic hemp, organic linen, jute, and recycled cotton. All these fabrics are 100% recyclable, and also biodegradable to some extent leaving minimal carbon footprint.

Using these materials to make retail packaging bags helps you make a statement. It can help you attract more eco-conscious customers and boost your sales.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Packaging Materials

The demand for sustainable packaging solutions is increasing due to their undeniable benefits. The advantages of using eco-friendly packaging materials are uncountable for businesses. Some of the most common benefits of using these materials are listed here:

• Reduce Carbon Footprint And Harmful Chemicals

As discussed before, biodegradable packaging materials decompose naturally adding elements to the nutrient cycles of the environment. This process makes them leave no carbon footprint or toxic elements behind.

As all the elements of these materials are organic, they do not release chemicals that pollute our environment. That’s how biodegradable materials for product packaging say a big hello to the greener future of our planet.

• Minimizes Wastes And Conserves Resources

The uncontrolled load on landfills means that our resources are being destroyed. Also, these waste materials release toxins that add to environmental pollution. Recyclable packaging material decently copes with this problem.

By recycling these materials you can reuse these materials to make product packaging or other items. That’s how these materials relieve the load from landfills and save resources of our planet from going to waste as well. 

• Boost Your Brand Perception

We know that customers prefer to buy products packed in eco-friendly packaging. The reason is that most people have become aware of the harms caused by pollution and they want to stop these hazards.

Using eco-friendly packaging to pack your products builds a good perception of your brand in your customers’ minds. That’s how eco-friendly packaging can help you boost your brand without much effort.

• Good for Biohabitat

Environmental pollution due to uncontrolled industrialization and hazardous business practices not only impacts humans but biohabitat for other living beings as well. Toxins of plastic packaging contaminate lands, water as well as air which destroys biohabitat and makes it difficult for living organisms to survive.

Where to Buy Recyclable And Biodegradable Packaging Materials?

Buying recyclable and biodegradable packaging materials from a reputable source is a matter of prime importance for businesses. A poor-quality packaging can not only make your products vulnerable to damage but also leave a bad impression on the buyers.

If you are looking for a credible packaging company to buy sustainable packaging for your products, look no further than OXO Packaging. We are among the most reliable custom packaging companies all across the US.

Partnering with us brings you a lot of benefits like 100% biodegradable material with no compromise on quality. Also, you can enjoy free design support, 3D mockups, free shipping, and more facilities. Get in touch with us today!

Conclusion

That’s it about biodegradable and recyclable materials for your product packaging. You can’t overlook the rising demand for custom packaging and the inclination of consumers toward biodegradable and recyclable business practices. The above-mentioned 10 packaging options are excellent if you want to make a statement and attract eco-conscious buyers to your products.

Whether you want to ask a question about custom packaging or looking to buy durable and elegant packaging for your products, reach out to us. We will instantly answer your questions, and provide you a custom quote for free.