Recyclable vs. biodegradable packaging - which is best for your brand?

Recyclable vs. biodegradable packaging - which is best for your brand?

Companies who haven’t yet made the switch to eco-friendly packaging are lagging behind their competition. Nowadays, there’s no excuse for packaging that goes straight to landfill: there are now several viable alternatives to non-sustainable packaging for brands in the food and beverage, personal care, e-commerce and pharmaceutical spaces to choose from.

Here are two of the main options:

recycle

Recyclable packaging

Recycling is one of the most widespread processes for converting and reusing materials: recycling rates for paper were estimated at 73.9% in 2020. There are, however, limits on how many times packaging products can be recycled: plastics can only go through the process a few times before breaking down completely and becoming unusable. On the other hand, metal, glass and aluminium can be recycled more or less endlessly. Recyclable packaging has the advantage of being familiar to consumers, and as long as the materials used can be processed via conventional recycling streams, such as metallized paper, easy to dispose of using household or municipal facilities. 

biodegradable

Biodegradable packaging

Biodegradable packaging is made of materials that can be broken down naturally by microorganisms as long as certain temperature and humidity conditions are respected, without causing harm to the natural environment. While many materials are technically biodegradable, some can take years to break down, and others require very specific conditions. Nissha’s Ecosense molding range uses pulp, starch and water to create fully biodegradable and compostable stackable, friction-fit and nestable packaging. 

Interested to know more about Nissha’s ecosense sustainable product range? Get in touch with our team.