Sustainable Solutions
Biodegradable / Compostable Packaging
Choose biodegradable/compostable packaging that will break down and decompose within a specific time period – choose O F Pack.
Our sustainable packaging options include compostable packaging that can be certified under official standards in Australia by brands looking for the Australian Bioplastics Association (ABA) labelling. This means the materials used in each product pack will decompose in less than six months, effectively reducing waste that comes from non-compostable plastics and other traditional packaging.
Biodegradable Packaging vs. Compostable Packaging
The terms biodegradable and compostable are often confused with one another and other companies use this in “greenwashing” their products. All compostable packaging, as supplied by O F Pack, is biodegradable; but not all biodegradable packaging is compostable. To help you choose the right eco-friendly packaging for your business, here’s a simple explanation for both.
Biodegradable Packaging
Biodegradable packaging is composed of materials that are made to biodegrade or break down over time.. However the term biodegradable has no set time period or quality parameters for the leftover product; and technically many products are biodegradable but can continue to exist for hundreds of years!
Compostable Packaging
Compostable packaging, meanwhile, degrades within a specific time period and requires the process of composting before the materials break down and return to the environment. The composting needs a certain setting of moisture, heat, and oxygen to be effective. This can be done at consumers’ homes or at commercial composting facilities. The material left from compostable products must also be of a specific standard for eco-friendly quality.
Some biodegradable packaging suppliers in Australia also add paper in the mix to give their packaging structure a certain level of rigidity.
Some biodegradable packaging suppliers in Australia also add paper in the mix to give their packaging structure a certain level of rigidity.
Bio-plastics
Bio-plastics are materials that can be used in compostable packaging, as well as non-compostable packaging. The term refers only to the source of the material’s creation, and not how it acts at the end of life.
Composition can include non-fossil fuel materials, like plants, or a mix of fossil and non-fossil fuel sources. Compostable plastic films are usually made from a combination of bio-plastics like Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polybutylene Succinate (PBS), and cellulose (or as it is known by the brand name, Cellophane).
Composition can include non-fossil fuel materials, like plants, or a mix of fossil and non-fossil fuel sources. Compostable plastic films are usually made from a combination of bio-plastics like Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polybutylene Succinate (PBS), and cellulose (or as it is known by the brand name, Cellophane).
Available Formats
Why Choose O F Pack's Compostable Packaging?
We are proud to offer certified home-compostable films and pouches. Compostable packs in Australian and New Zealand can be marked with a logo from the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) once certified by this organisation. It is important to distinguish biodegradable packaging from home-compostable ones to ensure consumers dispose of packaging correctly and know the differences between home and industrial compostable products.
O F Pack’s home-compostable products are functional and durable for certain products. Available formats range from bags and pouches to boxes and paper sleeves. Despite being sustainable and compostable, these products are suitable for various applications and can be made to protect contents against oxygen and moisture like some traditional packaging materials.
O F Pack continues to invest in research and innovation to further develop our environmentally-friendly products – recycled content, recyclable, and biodegradable/compostable packaging. We aim to get more customers to switch to more sustainable packaging to reduce food and packaging waste that typically end up in a landfill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is compostable packaging reusable or recyclable?
Compostable packaging is made from materials that break down over a certain time period. These materials are weaker in structure and because of this, reusing or recycling compostable packaging is not advisable. Generally, we recommend compostable packaging for single-use packs or as garbage bin liners. Only paper is both a compostable and recyclable material. Other compostable materials like PLA and PBS contaminate the recycling stream.
Is compostable packaging safe for food-contact?
O F Pack’s compostable packaging is safe for food contact and can be used for certain food items. However, we encourage our customers to discuss their products in detail to make sure we provide them with the best packs that will keep their food items safe and fresh for consumption. Compostable packaging can also be an alternative to plastic food containers for takeaways.
Are your compostable packs also customisable?
Yes! Our compostable films can be assembled into bags and pouches of various shapes and sizes. O F Pack’s rigid and flexible compostable products are also print-ready to give our customers more design and branding potential. Plus, we also offer compostable zipper closures to complete your product packs.
Do you have home composting tips that we can share with consumers?
Consumers will never be short on information when it comes to home composting as the planet’s green revolution continues to intensify. More and more specialist groups that encourage composting offer tips and simple DIY guides on composting, but here is a beginner’s guide to composting from the government of South Australia.
It is advised that people look up the composting guidelines for their specific state or territory.
Other Eco-Friendly Packaging From O F Pack
Recycled Packaging
Make the sustainable switch with O F Pack’s recycled packaging solution. Choose among a variety of quality packaging options that can rival the functionality of traditional films, bags, pouches, and cartons.
Recyclable Packaging
Help reduce the earth’s plastic waste with recyclable packaging. O F Pack can produce 100%-recyclable packaging bags and pouches, or incorporate a certain portion of recycled material into your chosen packaging format for non-food applications.