China's packaging industry has entered a critical development period of upgrading and quality and deep transformation, to achieve the "sustainable development" of the packaging industry, there are still many common problems and constraints bottlenecks. The study of the latest trends and drivers in the global packaging field has important implications for the future direction of China's packaging industry.

Sustainability is no stranger to the packaging industry, but are you confused by some of the definitions of sustainability in packaging? To be honest, you may not be alone. One of the most confusing areas of sustainability: the intersection of Compostable, Biodegradable and Bioplastic packaging. Although these three terms are always mentioned together in discussions on the circular economy, they are not synonymous.

For example, many people may not know that plant-based packaging materials are not necessarily compostable or biodegradable per se; some compostable materials come from oil-based sources; and, compostable materials, they are not necessarily biodegradable.

Is it starting to get a bit circular? A lot of important information about how to properly handle packaging is just drowning in the whirlwind of all this convoluted expertise. So if consumers are not given clear, proper guidance and education, sustainability efforts may be for naught.

While we don't necessarily need to be experts to understand the nuances of the various "green" shades in the sustainability "spectrum," it never hurts to know more, does it? This week, I've taken a look at the differences and distinctions between the basic terms used in these three sustainable fields.

'Bioplastics' are made from natural materials, most commonly starch, cellulose, lactic acid and other sugars, such as soy, corn, algae, feathers and wood. Corn starch is the most common material used to make bioplastics - polylactic acid (PLA); there is another popular bioplastic, polyhydroxy fatty acid esters (PHA) made from potatoes and rapeseed. In addition, natural materials can be fermented to form bio-based versions of traditional oil-based plastics, such as bio-PET (polyester resin).

'Compostable' materials refer to materials that can naturally decompose over time into nutritious, agriculturally useful fertilizers made using fungi, bacteria, animal proteins, and other organisms. There are currently two types of compostable materials - "Home Compostable" and "Industrial Compostable". "Home Compostable" materials are those that can degrade at natural ambient temperatures with food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, or other organic materials. The certification criteria for home composting materials are strict and must degrade (physically break down) within 6 months and form compost (chemically break down) within 12 months to be certified as home compost. "Industrial compost" materials require higher temperatures and specific standard levels of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen to degrade, though they decompose more quickly. In addition, industrial composting materials are certified as having to biodegrade and form compost within 180 days.

"A 'biodegradable' material is one that uses biodegradation techniques so that the material can be metabolized by microorganisms in soil or water and broken down into natural substances (water, methane) without outside intervention. Soil buried biodegradable materials that can be certified must be anaerobically degradable, or anaerobically degradable. To meet the criteria for marine biodegradation, the material must physically decompose within 3 months and biodegrade within 6 months in water.

There are several other key differences between compostable and biodegradable materials - compostable materials cannot be anaerobically degraded like landfill biodegradable materials, nor can they degrade in water like marine biodegradable materials; likewise, biodegradable materials cannot form compost due to their different decomposition environments.

As suppliers, processors and brands struggle to find agreement on which materials to target as sustainable for an industry, what starts out as a vague definition caused by incoherence can quickly turn into a business problem. For example, most companies are looking for ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the supply chain. Compared to petroleum-based plastics, bioplastics require less carbon to produce and can sometimes even offset the carbon produced during packaging production. However, Scope 3 Emissions, which are involved in the receipt and transportation of materials, can sometimes produce a larger carbon footprint than traditional plastics. Scope 3 Emissions are indirect emissions that a company does not directly control throughout the supply chain (from raw material harvesting to logistics and transportation) and represent the largest portion of a company's carbon footprint, often accounting for 80 percent or more of greenhouse gas emissions.

And, how can we expect consumers to properly handle the new material packaging in their hands if the industry is confused about this issue as well?

Compostable and biodegradable plastics are not recyclable and are thrown away before they enter the final recycling stream. In this way, the benefits of what would otherwise be sustainable packaging are negated, while plastic waste continues to grow. Each year, only 9% of the world's plastic is recycled, so any sustainable packaging should not be disposed of by simply brutally landfilling it or throwing it into the ocean, which only contributes to the 'white pollution' phenomenon.

The first step the industry should take is to understand the material properties, life cycle, sourcing and conversion challenges of bioplastics, biodegradable and compostable. Next, brands must consider the requirements of their packaging. Let's say the brand wants to address the food contamination potential of disposable food containers? Or are they looking for packaging solutions for skin care products that are both safe and durable? Should the plastic be flexible or heat-resistant? And so on.

A brand's sustainability goals also play a role in determining the material choices for their packaging. For example, do they want to reduce their use of fossil fuels? Or do they want to increase the sustainability of their packaging at end-of-life? Or a combination of both? The answers to these questions will help guide brands in their final decisions. Brands must also ensure that their packaging can help consumers complete the cycle with proper disposal instructions. Packages should clearly indicate whether they need to be recycled, composted (household or industrial), and further disposal instructions.

Most people do want to recycle and use the packaging's. But sometimes people throw them in the recycling garbage can without really knowing if their area can handle this type of material packaging. When a municipal recycling facility (MRF) can't accept and process a material (which often happens), it goes to landfill, which defeats the purpose for which the material itself was created.

In fact, for those consumers who understand these issues and are committed to dealing with packaging in the most environmentally friendly way, home composting packaging can be a great option, such as using it to grow some small onions, garlic, or whatever, and add some interest to your life.

Across the packaged goods sector, brands are taking steps to achieve their sustainable packaging goals, and these are evident to all, especially for the question of where packaging goes after it has completed its "packaging" mission. In the 2022 Sustainable Packaging Survey Report, conducted by Jabil (USA) and SIS International Research (Hong Kong), 98% of respondents said they have already taken 98% of respondents said they have already taken some action to make their packaging sustainable, with 23% saying they have a fully developed plan and process in place. Respondents also indicated that "compostable" and "biodegradable" packaging was of great interest to them, with 48% saying they are combining or evaluating the use of compostable and biodegradable materials in their sustainable packaging programs. For 42% of participants, these new materials are their highest priority sustainable packaging option, second only to paper-based packaging.