When COVID-19 was implemented, retail began to shift online, and in just a few months, eCommerce's share of the retail pie in the United States grew as much as it had in the previous decade to the same level as it had in the preceding decade. Similar patterns have been observed around the world, a 32% increase in online shopping in Australia.
Consumers and businesses alike are responsible for demanding more sustainable practices as it becomes more accessible than ever to have everything from tomatoes to toothbrushes delivered to our doorsteps. Compostable packaging is one of their choices. Here's a quick overview of compostable packaging.
Compostable packaging mainly being used for food packaging and is designed to break down environmentally friendly. It's constructed of plant-based, recyclable ingredients, including wood pulp, potato starch, and fungi, and it can be utilised as nutrient-rich compost in your garden. In ideal circumstances, this can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks.
When other types of packaging are discarded, they can release poisonous chemicals or hazardous particles, but compostable packaging is designed to avoid this. Because of its deteriorating qualities, it benefits the ecosystem and maintains our soil healthy as it degrades.
However, with these new sustainable options comes the risk of customers making the wrong choice. Compostable packaging needs to be disposed of properly.
So, how does one go about doing it?
If you tossed biodegradable packaging in the regular trash and ended up in landfill, it wouldn't be in the right environment to accomplish its job. While it will eventually decay, it will take a long time, and the planet will be unlikely to benefit.
Compostable packaging requires the right conditions for microorganisms to thrive and devour the materials to break down successfully - warm temperatures, moisture, oxygen, and nutrition.
You might want to invest in a compost container to achieve these ideal conditions. They are not pricey and do not take up a lot of space. You can add vegetable scraps, fruit peels, and more to your compost bin in addition to compostable packaging.
When your fertiliser can work, it will have the appearance of dark, crumbly dirt with a natural smell. You shouldn't be capable of viewing any of the primary factors you combined, and if you make, you'll either have to wait a bit longer or sift them out. When you're satisfied with the sight, feel, and smell of your compost, apply it to your garden soil to provide nutrients to your plants.
If you're not sure if your compost is ready, take a scoop and put it in a sealed plastic bag to test it. Leave it closed for three days, then sniff it to see how it smells — you want it to smell lovely and earthy. If it smells sour, let it for a few minutes longer.
Compostable Packaging's Advantages
Of course, after compostable packaging, once it has degraded, it is beneficial to your soil. It works as a natural fertiliser, providing plants with the nutrients they need to thrive. It can also assist in the neutralisation of hazardous waste-contaminated soils.
Furthermore, compostable materials contribute to biodiversity, supporting a vital and productive ecology. It helps us produce less waste, reducing our reliance on landfills, and it can even catch and eliminate 99.9% of pollutants in contaminated air. Compostable shipping packaging mailers has numerous advantages for both the consumer and the environment.
Summing it up!
Composting is beneficial not only to your moral compass and carbon footprint but also to your garden and, most importantly, to the earth. While compostable packaging is not currently widely available, the more we pay attention to it and invest in it, the more readily available and economical it will become. Contact us today for eco-friendly packaging mailers solutions.
