Compostable Packaging
Eco-Friendly Performance Without Compromise
Our sustainable packaging solutions help brands reduce landfill waste without giving up performance. AlphaPoly’s compostable products are engineered from specialized materials that break down safely.
Certified to meet Canadian and FDA standards, these durable materials turn into non-toxic soil-safe substances, helping turn your packaging into something other than long-lasting waste. That compostable bag, it’s now just organic waste. No different than sugarcane or wood pulp.
Whether you serve the North America market or globally, we customize compostable containers to meet your exact specs and sustainability targets.
Does Sustainable Packaging Mean Limited Options?
Not at all. Choosing compostable packaging doesn’t mean you’re stuck with cardboard, or compromising on flexibility or brand expression. Just like traditional materials, our sustainable packaging options are highly customizable — including a range of films, laminates, and closure types tailored to your specs.
Compostable Packaging Specs
Every compostable pouch and packaging is designed to meet the technical demands of modern packaging while aligning with rigorous sustainability standards. Below are the key material and performance specs that make our compostable containers a trusted choice across industries:
- BPI certified compostable laminates, films, and closures
- Meets FDA requirements for food contact
- Reduces overall carbon footprint
- Made from bio-films are based on renewable resources wood-pulp (birch trees), compostable PE
- Freezer safe
- Superior strength
FAQs
Compostable packaging raises smart questions — and we’re here to answer them clearly. Whether you’re exploring sustainable packaging for the first time or comparing it to traditional materials, these FAQs cover key concerns around cost, performance, and more.
Compostable packaging is made from organic materials that can break down naturally and return to the soil without leaving behind any toxic residue. The process of composting works by utilizing microorganisms, moisture, and oxygen to decompose the packaging into compost, which can then be used as nutrient-rich soil for plants.
Compostable packaging typically takes around 3 to 6 months to break down in a composting environment. However, the exact time can vary depending on factors such as temperature, moisture levels, and the specific composition of the packaging material. Additional, there is a difference in composting speed if using commercial composting facilities.
Compostable packaging is generally more expensive than traditional packaging materials, primarily due to the higher production costs, however, as economies of scale are achieved, the cost difference can decrease.
While compostable materials offer an eco-friendly packaging option, there are limitations to their use. Not all products are suitable for compostable packaging due to factors like durability, moisture resistance, and shelf life requirements. Compostable materials often lack the strength and barrier properties provided by traditional plastics, making them less ideal for products that need strong protection or long-term preservation. It’s best to contact an Alphapoly sales rep for your specific needs.
Compostable packaging from sugar cane and corn starch shares several sustainability benefits with wood-pulp (from birch trees) and compostable polyethylene (PE) packaging. All these materials reduce the environmental impact compared to traditional plastics by contributing less to landfill accumulation and associated methane emissions. Both sugar cane and corn starch, as well as wood-pulp packaging, are derived from renewable resources and are biodegradable, meaning they break down more efficiently than conventional plastics. In terms of energy use, sugar cane and corn starch may have a slight edge over wood-pulp packaging, as the latter requires more energy-intensive processes like logging and chemical treatment. However, both types use less energy compared to the production of traditional plastic packaging. As for compostable PE, while its production is energy-intensive, it offers improved biodegradability over standard PE. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, all these alternatives emit less carbon dioxide during decomposition than traditional plastics. Overall, while there are differences in the specifics of their production and biodegradability, sugar cane, corn starch, wood-pulp, and compostable PE packaging each contribute positively to sustainability goals by offering more eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastic packaging.
Give our sales team a call. We can speak to you about all our flexible packaging solutions. If you have questions about shipping, compostable plastic, and the pros and cons of recyclable vs. compostable solutions, we’re here to help.
