Biodegradable Packaging Products

Several trends throughout the early part of the 21st century saw a rise in demand for biodegradable packaging products. As resources and available space in landfills became more scarce, and as consumer consciousness shifted toward more ecologically-viable solutions, research and development produced several materials that could replace traditional, less environmentally-friendly packing materials.

Biodegradable Plastics

• Plastics and plastic-like materials can be made from natural, renewable resources such as cellulose from wood and plant fiber, soy protein, starch from corn and lactic acids. These eco-friendly plastics can be made into a thin and flexible film like that which is used to wrap stacked merchandise on cargo pallets. They can also be made into thicker and more firm molded plastics which protect fragile cargo and hold it in place within shipping containers.

Biodegradable Packing Peanuts

• Companies such as Starch Tech, Inc. have developed and marketed packing peanuts that are made from starch, and degrade harmlessly when disposed of. Biodegradable packing peanuts have several additional advantages over bubble wrap and older types of packing peanuts, which were traditionally made from polystyrene. They retain lower levels of static electricity, which makes them more safe for sensitive electronics shipments. They do not deflate due to changes in air pressure when shipped on planes. They are also durable and lightweight, and provide the receiving party with recycling and green disposal options that traditional foam peanuts lack.

Biodegradable Packing Foam and Shipping Containers

• In 2010, KTM Industries announced the development of a cornstarch-based insulating foam that could be used to maintain the temperatures of heat- and cold-sensitive materials. The foam, called Green Cell Foam, was first developed to fit within a shipping container, but entire shipping containers were also developed to replace coolers made from EPS materials at a comparable cost.