(In 2021, the average number of packages delivered by FedEx Express in the U.S. on a daily basis increased to over 6.6 million packages. That’s a lot of single-use plastic packaging to go through, especially when faced with the fact that it’s one of the greatest contributors to plastic pollution, for its short lifespan. Can compostable packaging be a sustainable substitute? Find out ahead.
Key Takeaways:- Find out what compostable packaging material is made of and how it compares to traditional plastics
- Take a look at what form of packaging we use to ship our clothes in
The very reason plastics are used packaging is because it is inexpensive to create, lightweight, durable and mouldable. Unfortunately, its rampant use has come at a hefty price for the environment.
Of the 9.2 billion tons of plastic produced to date, only 9% has been recycled properly. The rest has either been dumped or washed away into our oceans and are accumulating there due to its non-biodegradable nature.
This is where biodegradable and compostable packaging comes into the picture. Compostable packaging is usually made from a range of renewable plant-based materials or bio-polymers. Biodegradable plastics made from materials like rice husk, cornstarch, maize, cane sugar or other forms of agricultural waste have been quickly taking shape and form.
Right off the bat, these plastics have a lower carbon footprint since they aren’t made from non-renewable fossil fuels. But there is one caveat; some of them are often still difficult to break down in nature due to their complex manufacturing process which makes them durable, just like their conventional counterparts.
Where does ZAVI take a stand?In order for it to be ‘certified compostable’, these plant-based packaging alternatives must break down in a home compost within 180 days and 90 days in a commercial compost setting.
As ardent supporters of the circular economy movement, which encourages reducing waste by increasing resource efficiency and keeping materials in use for longer — we aim at creating products that fit into a circular framework. And that doesn’t just include our clothes, but the way we package and ship them as well.
Starting this year, our clothes will be shipped in biodegradable polybags that have the ability to biodegrade in a landfill environment. The microorganisms present in a landfill environment can easily break down the polymer chains, in other words, eating the plastic bag to break it down. Moreover, should our customers decide to toss them into the recycle bin, they can be recyclable for next life use too.
Published by: Vibhuti Vazirani/ 2024-02-28