We know what ‘organic food’ means. But what about ‘organic packaging’? Most of our clients produce organic food supplements and want packaging that reflects their values. However, there is a real lack of clarity surrounding this term: bio-based, biodegradable, compostable — they are not the same thing.
Bio-based = derived from biomass. Using plants as raw materials (green waste from maize, sugarcane, etc.) instead of oil.
You sometimes see the word ‘bioplastic’ on a bottle. In practice, for much of today’s packaging, bioplastic means bio-based: the source is not petroleum, but plant-based materials such as sugarcane or maize starch. The end result is often the same plastic as usual(polyethylene, polypropylene, PET).
The main advantage is that we remain within the realm of traditional plastics, with recycling networks already in place in developed countries. BRASKEM (a Brazilian manufacturer) is a prime example with its ‘I’m Green’ polyethylene © made from sugarcane.
Likely to be broken down by living organisms in the natural environment. The material breaks down into CO₂, biomass and water.
Can be turned into compost (fertiliser). The decomposed material is non-toxic when released into the environment.
European Directive 94/62/EC stipulates that compostable packaging must besufficiently biodegradable so as not to hinder the composting process. Standard EN 13432 (2002) requires that 90% of the waste be degraded within six months under composting conditions.
The Austrian organisation TÜV issues two different certifications:
The packaging is biodegradable in an industrial composting facility. This is the certification used for the PLA bottles we manufacture today.
Requirements: specialist composting centre, collection via green waste skips
The packaging can be added to home compost(garden, worm bin). The process is slower, and the standards are stricter.
Challenge: few materials are commercially available at this level
| Subject | Avantage principal | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Biodegradable plastic (PLA) | ✅ No 7th continent, even if used incorrectly | ⚠️ Availability varies, less of a barrier effect, not currently recyclable |
| Plastique traditionnel (PET, PP…) | ✅ Recyclable (yellow bin), established recycling schemes | ⚠️ Not biodegradable; user education required |
| Bio-based plastic (BRASKEM I'm Green) | ✅ Recyclable (yellow bin), reduced carbon footprint | ⚠️ Not biodegradable; may compete with arable land |
Organic packaging is bio-based and/or biodegradable. If it is biodegradable, it is compostable: