Most firms today are having trouble with their packaging waste. As rules get stricter and people's tastes change, it's no longer possible to avoid finding a useful alternative to regular plastic. Biodegradable packaging has become a good option because it breaks down naturally after use and makes landfills less full. At MTPak, we focus on making flexible, biodegradable packaging for brands in the food, drink, and retail industries. This helps them reach their sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.

This article will talk about what biodegradable packaging is, the most common materials used to make it, and the important things to think about while making the move.

What is Biodegradable Packaging?

Biodegradable packaging breaks down naturally. Microbes like bacteria and fungi consume the material, turning it into water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter. The process has to happen within a reasonable time—usually under a year in the right environment. You see this with some bags for fresh produce or certain food service items.

Don't mix up biodegradable and compostable. Compostable is a specific type of biodegradable. It needs the controlled heat and moisture of an industrial composting facility to break down quickly into usable compost. A simple biodegradable material, like some films used for bakery bags, will break down in a landfill, but it just turns into soil and gas—it doesn't necessarily create a nutrient-rich product.

What are the Main Types of Biodegradable Packaging?

You'll find a few common materials used for biodegradable packaging. Each one works better for certain jobs. The table gives you a quick look at how they stack up.

Material Type	Primary Source	Key Characteristics & Common Uses
Polylactic Acid (PLA)	Corn, Cassava Starch	Transparent, plastic-like. Used for clear cups, films. Requires industrial composting for rapid degradation.
Bagasse	Sugarcane Fiber Residue	Excellent water and grease resistance. Ideal for clamshell containers, plates. A byproduct utilization, suitable for home composting.
Mushroom Packaging	Agricultural Waste + Mycelium	Grown into custom cushioning shapes. A innovative, eco-friendly alternative to foam peanuts. Decomposes in soil.
Paper & Cardboard	Wood Fiber (FSC certified)	Highly recyclable and biodegradable. Universal application. Degradability can be compromised by plastic coatings.

How is Biodegradable Packaging Manufactured?

The methods for making biodegradable packaging are the same as those for making regular packaging, but the ingredients and energy sources are different. The most important thing is to keep the influence on the environment low at all times.

Sourcing Sustainable Raw Materials

Most biodegradable packaging begins with plant-based materials. You'll see PLA made from corn starch or cellulose films from wood pulp. Good suppliers use FSC-certified wood or non-GMO crops. This part matters because it sets the whole environmental footprint.

Forming and Shaping

You will get real bags, trays, or containers. The material gets heated and formed using standard equipment—extrusion for films, thermoforming for trays. The temperatures might need adjustment since some bioplastics have different melting points than conventional ones. A PLA coffee bag runs through the same sealing jaws as a plastic one, just at a slightly lower temperature.

Printing and Coating for Safety

You still need branding and product information. Most biodegradable packaging uses water-based or soy-based inks. For protective layers, manufacturers might add a thin water-based coating. The key is making sure every component—ink, coating, base material—breaks down together.

Rigorous Testing and Certification

The last step is to make sure the packaging works well. Standards, such as ASTM D6400 for compostability, are used by labs to see if the item breaks down in the right time, leaving no dangerous residues. It can make authentic biodegradable packaging different from false claims.

What are the Benefits of Switching?

Using biodegradable packaging is more than simply good for the environment; it's also a smart business move. The benefits are clear and wide-ranging, affecting both how the business runs and how people see the brand.

Less Pollution

Plants that are used to make packaging take in CO2 as they grow. The carbon footprint of the entire life cycle is far lower than that of plastics made from petroleum, which helps companies reach their carbon neutrality goals.

Better Brand Image and Appeal

People look for brands that are responsible. Using eco-friendly packaging shows that you are committed to something and generates trust and loyalty. It's an easy method to show them that you agree with their ideals.

Compliance with Evolving Regulations

Governments all across the world are making it illegal to use plastic only once. Getting ahead of rules like the EU's SUP Directive protects your firm from problems in the future and keeps your supply chain running smoothly.

Long-Term Cost Optimization

Some high-end materials cost more up front, but smarter, lighter designs and lower waste disposal fees can help keep costs down overall. The investment usually pays off in a stronger brand.

What are the Current Trends in Biodegradable Packaging?

The industry is pushing past basic materials. New enhancements are focused on adding features and making it easier to handle at the end of its life.

Active Packaging

Some films now use natural ingredients like chitosan. This can slow down the growth of mold on baked goods, which makes them last longer without using artificial preservatives.

Plantable Packaging

You may build tags or small boxes out of seed paper. It's fantastic for companies that sell garden supplies or party favors because customers plant it after using it.

High-Performance Bio-Barriers

New coatings derived from seaweed or starch help items keep water out better. This is vital for keeping pet food fresh or cereal crunchy in bags that may be composted.

Digital Traceability

QR codes made with soy ink lead to instructions on how to get rid of them. It helps make sure that the trash goes to the right place.

How Can a Business Start Using Biodegradable Packaging?

You need to have a plan to make the change go smoothly. Following a set plan makes sure that the deployment goes smoothly and satisfies your business needs.

Step 1: Conduct a Full Packaging Audit

Write down all the packaging materials you use, from the main bags to the shipping boxes. Find the items that are easy for customers to view and buy. These are the best candidates for you to switch to first.

Step 2: Define Product and End-of-Life Requirements

Consider your product's specifics: Is it oily? Does it need a long shelf life? Also, research the waste infrastructure in your key markets. Is industrial composting available? The answers will narrow your material choices significantly.

Step 3: Select a Reputable Supplier

Find a supplier like MTPak that can give you technical data sheets and third-party certifications, including OK compost INDUSTRIAL and FDA compliance. Request samples to see how long they last, how strong the seals are, and how easy they are to work with on your equipment.

Step 4: Start a Pilot Program

Try out the new packaging on a small scale with a certain product line or in a certain area before rolling it out to everyone. You should keep an eye on how logistics are going, get feedback from customers, and also look for any problems that come up.

Step 5: Make a Plan For Launch

Make a plan for how to roll out the changes in stages. Most importantly, make sure the package has explicit directions on how to throw it away — for example, "Compost Me Industrially". Use your marketing channels to tell about the change and show how to dispose of it properly.

Conclusion

Biodegradable packaging offers a practical path forward. It addresses waste problems directly and fits into modern manufacturing without major changes.

MTPak focuses on flexible packaging that breaks down after use. We work with materials like PLA and bagasse for items like coffee bags and takeaway containers. Our printing uses water-based inks, and we can add features like degassing valves for coffee or high-barrier layers for pet food. The goal is to match the material to your product's needs—whether it's grease resistance for pastries or compostability for organic tea.

Talk to our team to get a sample and see how it works on your packaging line.

Email：account@mtpak.com

Contact us：https://mtpak.com/contact-mtpak

FAQs

1. What’s the difference between biodegradable and compostable?

All compostable packaging is biodegradable, but not the other way around. Compostable needs a specific environment to break down into soil. Biodegradable is a broader term for anything that breaks down naturally.

2. How do I dispose of it properly?

Check the package label. Most goes in industrial compost. Some types, like certain paper wraps, can break down in a home compost pile. Don't just litter it.

3. Will it hold up during shipping?

It's designed to. We test for strength and puncture resistance. A well-made biodegradable coffee bag or shipping box can handle logistics just like conventional packaging.

A Complete Guide to Biodegradable Packaging: Types, Benefits, and Trends