What are biodegradable bags? Buying tips and experience

Author: Fayella

Jan. 13, 2025

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What are biodegradable bags? Buying tips and experience

In recent years, humanity has faced many environmental issues, particularly household waste. As a result, environmentally friendly products have emerged to partially address this problem. Today, let&#;s explore biodegradable bags with Kamereo in the following article!

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from HW.

What are biodegradable bags?

Biodegradable bags are items made from materials that can completely decompose in the natural environment by microorganisms. Therefore, these products do not cause environmental pollution like regular plastic bags.

Currently, there are two types of biodegradable bags available on the market:

  • Fully biodegradable bags: Made from 100% natural materials (starch, cassava flour, corn flour, coconut fiber, bagasse, etc.), these bags can completely decompose into CO2, H2O, and microbial biomass under suitable environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, microorganisms, etc.).
  • Conventional biodegradable bags: Made from traditional plastic combined with biodegradable additives. These bags can break down into smaller fragments in the environment. However, the decomposition rate is slower compared to fully biodegradable bags and may still cause environmental pollution if not handled properly.

Main materials of biodegradable bags

Depending on the purpose of use, manufacturers will choose appropriate materials to produce biodegradable bags. If biodegradable food bags are needed, high durability and good water resistance are essential. Meanwhile, cheaper materials can be used for garbage bags.

Natural origin materials

Starch is the most common material for producing bio-bags. This component can completely decompose into CO2 and H2O in the natural environment. Starch is usually extracted from crops such as:

  • Cassava flour: A good material for producing bio-bags due to its high biodegradability and low cost.
  • Corn flour: Has a similar structure to starch and can completely decompose in the natural environment.
  • Coconut fiber: A material with high durability and good water resistance. Coconut fiber can be used to produce high-strength bio-bags suitable for applications requiring high load capacity.
  • Bagasse: A byproduct of the sugar industry. Bagasse can be used to produce high-durability bio-bags with good biodegradability.

Synthetic materials

Besides natural materials, bio-bags are also made from synthetic materials. These bags are produced from organic compounds derived from petroleum but can completely decompose in the natural environment. Hence, degradable plastic bags differ from traditional plastic bags made from non-biodegradable polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).

Common synthetic materials used include:

  • Polylactic Acid (PLA): A bioplastic made from corn or sugarcane starch.
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): A bioplastic produced by microorganisms.
  • Polybutylene Succinate (PBS): A bioplastic made from petroleum.
  • Polycaprolactone (PCL): A bioplastic made from petroleum.
  • Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT): A bioplastic made from petroleum.

Advantages and disadvantages of bio-bags

We all know that biodegradable bags significantly impact addressing environmental issues. However, these products also have some disadvantages that can affect their market acceptance.

Advantages

  • Environmentally friendly: Bio-bags can completely decompose or break down into small fragments after a short period.
  • Health safety: These products do not contain harmful chemicals, ensuring safety when used for food storage.
  • Reusable: Some biodegradable bags are durable enough to be reused multiple times.

Disadvantages

  • High cost: Biodegradable bags are more expensive than regular plastic bags due to the special raw materials and production process.
  • External dependency: The decomposition rate depends on environmental conditions. Some biodegradable bags require composting or special conditions to fully decompose.

Tips for choosing suitable biodegradable bags

Currently, there are many types of biodegradable bags made from various materials with diverse prices and qualities available on the market. Choosing the right type for your needs and ensuring quality can be confusing. Here are some useful tips to help you choose the right biodegradable bags:

Identify your usage needs

You need to answer the question, &#;What do you need biodegradable bags for?&#; Is it for storing food, garbage, or other purposes? This helps you determine your usage needs and purchase suitable products.

Once you know your usage needs, you can easily choose the right size and thickness. For example, food bags need to be thicker than garbage bags. Also, if you need to carry heavy items, choose bags with high durability and good load capacity.

Use your senses

You can easily distinguish biodegradable bags using your senses:

  • Touch: Biodegradable bags usually have a smooth, spongy surface, a thin film, and less vibrant colors.
  • Smell: Most biodegradable bags contain starch. Therefore, you will notice a characteristic smell of this component when you sniff closely.
  • Burn: Fully biodegradable bags burn easily without a strange smell, while others may shrivel and emit a burnt odor. This method is only applicable if you have already bought the product without thoroughly checking the previous two methods.

Check the material

To avoid buying products falsely labeled as biodegradable bags at high prices, carefully read the ingredient list before purchasing:

  • Should buy: Prioritize bags made from natural materials (starch, cassava flour, corn flour, etc.) or bioplastics that can completely decompose (PLA, PBS, PBAT, etc.).
  • Avoid: Bags that only state &#;biodegradable&#; without clear origin, materials, or contain PE, PP plastics.

Check for certifications on the packaging

Finally, you can identify biodegradable bags by checking if the packaging has one of the following certifications:

  • TUV OK compost INDUSTRIAL: Products can biodegrade under industrial composting conditions.
  • TUV OK compost HOME: Products can biodegrade under home composting conditions.
  • Biodegradable Products Institute Compostable (BPI): Products can safely biodegrade under industrial composting conditions.
  • DIN CERTCO compostable: Products can biodegrade under industrial conditions.
  • TUV OK biodegradable SOIL: Products can biodegrade when buried in soil.
  • TUV OK biodegradable WATER: Products can biodegrade in water.

Kamereo &#; A reliable place to buy biodegradable bags

If you are looking for a reputable place to buy bio-bags, consider Kamereo. We specialize in supplying materials for over restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, etc., in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong.

In addition to branded biodegradable bags like EU Food, SSGLOVE, etc., Kamereo also produces many products under our own brand, offering diverse choices based on your needs.

Additional reading:
4 Advice to Choose a biodegradable garment bags

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Biodegradable Grip Seal Bags Supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Especially, customers who purchase with invoices over 400,000 VND receive free delivery. Monthly invoices over 20,000,000 VND qualify for a 1% cashback. Contact Kamereo via hotline 46 37 27 for consultation and promotion details!

Read more: A brief introduction to the Kamereo brand

Conclusion

The above are basic information about biodegradable bags currently used on the market. These products offer an effective solution to address some environmental issues, especially plastic waste. Follow the Hot Products section for more useful information!

Frequently Asked Questions about Biodegradable Plastics

As the world grapples with the growing issue of plastic waste, biodegradable plastics have emerged as a potential solution. These materials are often touted for their ability to decompose naturally, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics. However, there are several nuances and misconceptions about biodegradable plastics that need clarification. Here, we address some of the most common questions surrounding these materials.

What are biodegradable plastics and how are they used?

Biodegradable plastics are commonly used for disposable items such as packaging, cutlery, and food service containers. In theory, they could replace many applications for conventional plastics, but this involves challenges like ensuring proper industrial composting systems and avoiding their degradation into microplastics or non-biodegradable fragments&#;&#;.

Are bio-based plastics always 100% bio-based?

Not necessarily. Bio-based plastics are often only partially bio-based. The bio-based content in these plastics can be determined using standards like CEN/TS for polymers and EN -1 for products. This bio-content is usually expressed as a percentage value.

Do bio-based and fossil-based plastics have different chemical structures?

Some polymers can be produced both bio- and fossil-based and ultimately have the same structure, like polyethylene. Others, like polyamides, can be formed by condensation of various carboxylic acids and amines, allowing for partly bio-based (and partly fossil-based) production. There are also plastics exclusively produced bio-based, such as polylactide (PLA).

Can bio-based plastic bags be disposed of in the biowaste bin?

Generally, no. Bio-based plastics are not always biodegradable. Only bio-based biowaste collection bags that are also biodegradable and certified according to specific standards like &#;Bioabfall-Beutel DINplus&#; may be put in the biowaste bin. The municipalities may also have specific regulations regarding the use of these bags&#;&#;.

Is it important for bio-based plastics to be recyclable?

Yes, for environmental reasons, plastics should be designed to be mechanically recyclable. This is also in line with quotas set by laws like the German Packaging Act. Manufacturers are encouraged to design their packaging to be as recyclable as possible.

What is the principle of cascade use in bioplastics?

The principle of cascade use suggests that biogenic resources should first be used in durable and repairable products, then recycled, and only finally used for energy recovery. This principle is vital for a sustainable and resource-conserving use of biogenic resources, as intensive agriculture and forestry can have negative impacts on the climate and environmen&#;&#;.

Can products made of biodegradable plastics be disposed of in the biowaste collection?

No, items like cups, cutlery, and plates made from biodegradable plastics should not be disposed of in the biowaste collection. They interfere with treatment processes in composting plants, are only partially degraded, and can contaminate the compost produced. They should be disposed of in the designated waste collection systems&#;&#;.

How long do biodegradable plastics take to decompose?

The decomposition time varies widely depending on the type of biodegradable plastic and the environmental conditions. Some may break down within a few months in industrial composting facilities, while others may take years in less ideal conditions.

Are biodegradable plastics more expensive than conventional plastics?

Yes, generally, biodegradable plastics are more expensive to produce than traditional plastics due to higher material and production costs.

Do biodegradable plastics release harmful substances during decomposition?

Most biodegradable plastics are designed to decompose without releasing harmful substances. However, the composition of the plastic and the decomposition environment can influence this.

In conclusion, biodegradable plastics offer a promising path towards reducing plastic pollution, but their effective utilization requires understanding their properties, applications, and disposal methods. As technology and awareness improve, these materials may play an increasingly vital role in our transition to a more sustainable future.

For more Biodegradable Slider Bags Supplierinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

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