Biodegradable

Nowadays, using products that are respectful with nature has become a trend and a necessity for everyone. This is why many companies are replacing long-lasting products with biodegradable materials to avoid a negative impact on the planet.

What does biodegradable mean?

It refers to a substance or material that can be broken down by living organisms in a relatively short period of time. In this natural process, materials change their physical and chemical structure until only their constituent elements remain.

What is biodegradable packaging?

Because of its ease of manufacture and high resistance, plastic is the most widely used material for packaging, but its use causes damage to natural ecosystems. For this reason, biodegradable packaging has begun to be integrated in recent years as an alternative to traditional plastic packaging.

Biopolymers, which are molecules often found in living organisms, such as cellulose and proteins, are used to manufacture this packaging. Among the great advantages of their use, we highlight the following:

• They do not produce waste, due to the speed of their degradation.
• They reduce carbon emissions, which greatly benefits the environment.
• They can be used for compost and can also be recycled to manufacture other materials and objects.

Certification of biodegradable packaging

Although there are no official seals, private institutions have created certifications according to the EN 13432 standard. Created in 2002 by the European Committee for Standardization, this standard details the characteristics that a material must possess to be biodegradable or compostable.

With these certificates, users can be sure that their products are truly reintegrated into the environment in a short time.

Marine biodegradable

Marine biodegradability is an added value that must be present in any product, regardless of its use. We must take into account that there is always the possibility that waste may end up in the sea.

Soil biodegradability

Biodegradability in soil is a guarantee that offers enormous benefits for agricultural and horticultural products. This indicates that they can degrade on site after use, and without adversely affecting the environment.

Biodegradable water

With the certificate of biodegradability in water, biodegradation in a freshwater environment is guaranteed. This contributes substantially to the reduction of waste in rivers, lakes or any other natural freshwater source. However, this seal does not guarantee degradation in marine waters.

Home and industrial compost

This certification system seeks to guarantee complete biodegradability in the manufacture of products, including inks and additives. These products are made with biodegradable material of vegetable origin, which decompose under composting conditions within a maximum period of 6 months.

Thanks to biodegradable products, we make a significant contribution to a sustainable and environmentally friendly economy.

Discover many more terms and concepts in our Catering and Hospitality Dictionary.

Frequently asked questions