Sustainable Packaging - Material Alternatives
There are several sustainable packaging materials that can replace plastic in a number of applications. Here are some resources I've pulled together to help you learn about the alternatives out there. Several options are currently available only from overseas manufacturers and high quantities, but manufacturing will soon be available in the US.
Not all bioplastics and fiber/fiber-composites can be used under all circumstances. For example, PLA is brittle in frozen settings and some fibers don't hold up in frozen setting either due to their lack of moisture resistance. Some, though may be ideal for other applications and these materials are constantly being improved for commercial packaging uses.
Shortlist:
Polylactide Acid (PLA) Plastics
Bagasse (Sugar Cane Pulp)
Palm Fiber
Biomass Fiber Composite - AgroResin
Reed Fiber - a Japanese Innovation
PlasTerra - Biodegradable Plastic
Polylactide Acid (PLA) Plastics
PLA is a transparent plastic made from natural resources (like
cornstarch). It can be processed as easily as petroleum-based plastics,
and can run on the same equipment. This makes it a very attainable
choice for those companies looking to change plastic components, like
thermoformed trays, to something more environmentally friendly. The
drawback is that it looks like ordinary plastic and if mixed with
recyclables, it can cause contamination, rendering the recyclable
plastic unusable. It can also be brittle at low temperatures, like
frozen foods.