Although incredibly useful, products such as plastics and foam materials such as styrofoam are very dangerous to the environment. But since there is still a need for something to pack items in, the use of biodegradable packaging is highly recommended by green living experts.
But the term biodegradable is not as clear as people would like. For many years while it was widely in use, there was no legal definition of the term in the United States. There still is not, but the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has started to bring lawsuits against companies that are using it fraudulently or in a misleading manner. This has given the term much more weight.
Even legitimately bio-degradable materials require more thought than simply the fact that they do degrade. Some materials degrade into products that are more toxic than their predecessors, and many will not degrade without adequate access to water, air, and bacteria. This latter problem is not one that manufacturers or users are likely easily able to influence, though, because it results from conditions at the landfill.
In order to get the full benefits from green packing materials, there needs to be some kind of composting program in place to take the materials to after use. If there isn't this, then even fully degradable materials can wind up buried in the landfill and unable to be accessed by the organisms and substances necessary to degrade them.
Working towards a goal of using more and more biodegradable packaging is still important, though. Composting programs are being created every day, and even those materials that end up in the landfill are likely to eventually receive a chance to degrade as they are supposed to. When that time comes, they will be able to break down into natural materials very rapidly.
The food industry is a major user of packing materials, and as such, has a responsibility to purchase green products. Any industry or company that wields a lot of purchasing power is morally responsible for buying green, because this makes it easier for others to do so. Manufacturers that are forced to make green products because their biggest clients request them can then make smaller orders more easily and cheaply available.
But the term biodegradable is not as clear as people would like. For many years while it was widely in use, there was no legal definition of the term in the United States. There still is not, but the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has started to bring lawsuits against companies that are using it fraudulently or in a misleading manner. This has given the term much more weight.
Even legitimately bio-degradable materials require more thought than simply the fact that they do degrade. Some materials degrade into products that are more toxic than their predecessors, and many will not degrade without adequate access to water, air, and bacteria. This latter problem is not one that manufacturers or users are likely easily able to influence, though, because it results from conditions at the landfill.
In order to get the full benefits from green packing materials, there needs to be some kind of composting program in place to take the materials to after use. If there isn't this, then even fully degradable materials can wind up buried in the landfill and unable to be accessed by the organisms and substances necessary to degrade them.
Working towards a goal of using more and more biodegradable packaging is still important, though. Composting programs are being created every day, and even those materials that end up in the landfill are likely to eventually receive a chance to degrade as they are supposed to. When that time comes, they will be able to break down into natural materials very rapidly.
The food industry is a major user of packing materials, and as such, has a responsibility to purchase green products. Any industry or company that wields a lot of purchasing power is morally responsible for buying green, because this makes it easier for others to do so. Manufacturers that are forced to make green products because their biggest clients request them can then make smaller orders more easily and cheaply available.
About the Author:
For Bio-degradable Packaging and other compostable package products, you need look no further than W.F. Denny. They offer nationwide deliveries of eco-friendly products, as well as standard packaging and catering disposables.
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