Biodegradable & Compostable Bio Bag

Plastic Pollution to the Natural Environment

We all want to do our part to help the environment, but it can be hard to know what else you can do to help the planet. One of the easiest ways to start is by making sure the products you buy aren’t harming the environment and causing further pollution to natural environments. This includes reducing the use of single-use plastics, such as standard plastic bags from shopping complexes or night markets, plastic food containers from coffee shops, and so on.

If you’ve heard the terms “biodegradable” and “compostable” but aren’t quite sure what they mean, you’re not alone! The general public is still confused about these terms.

What is Biodegradable & Compostable?

Biodegradable products are made of biodegradable materials that can decompose naturally when exposed to microorganisms (e.g. bacteria) in the environment. Some products break down quickly while others take much longer to completely decompose. Examples of biodegradable materials are paper, corn starch, vegetable oils, and animal fats.

Some biodegradable products do not completely break down and may leave behind harmful chemicals. An example is Oxo-degradable bags made of Oxo-degradable plastics.

Compostable products are made of compostable material. Composting is the process of breaking down organic waste – such as vegetable scraps, paper, and dead leaves – into a dark, crumbly, nutrient-rich material called compost. Compost enriches the soil in your garden or wherever you grow your favourite plants. Composting is an important part of reducing the amount of organic trash that ends up in landfill.

Generally speaking, all compostable products are biodegradable. However, not all biodegradable products are compostable.

Biodegradable Plastic Bags & Compostable Plastic Bags?

Is there such a thing as biodegradable plastics or biodegradable plastic bags? The short answer is yes.

Plastics are synthetic polymers that can take hundreds of years to break down, if they break down at all. Plastic bag manufacturers add certain chemical additives into conventional plastic materials so these products break down into smaller plastic particle fragments – microplastics. This Oxo-degradable plastic is used to produce Oxo-degradable bags (or Oxo-biodegradable bags).

On the other hand, there isn’t anything such as compostable plastics. Plastic and microplastic particles can never compost into nutrient-rich material for plants. That is why there are never compostable plastic bags. These microplastic particles could enter your body either from the air you breathe or from the food you consume.

Advantages of Biodegradable & Compostable Bags

Plastic bags are bad for the environment. Not only do they take ages to break down and create more waste, they also make their way into the food chain, posing a threat to both animals and people. Biodegradable and compostable bags are a good solution. They decompose completely in a matter of weeks, meaning they won’t hang around for years to come.

They are made from organic vegetable matter like corn or potato starch, so they are completely safe to use around food — no need to worry about food contamination.

Disadvantages of Biodegradable & Compostable Bags

Storage is a major disadvantage. Due to their characteristics, these bags have a relatively short shelf life of 6 months before they start to degrade and decompose. This may decrease further if storing conditions are not observed.

The higher price is another disadvantage. Since these bags are still used at a lower scale, manufacturers price them higher to compensate for the lower production volume.