The terms degradable, biodegradable and compostable have started to appear on packaging and bags, but these terms are often used incorrectly and leave the consumer confused. Here is a dummy’s guide to understanding what the terms mean: Biodegradable plastics are bioplastics that degrade, or break down, into harmless substances through the action of naturally occurring…
You may have noticed that Albany Bakeries has started labelling their plastic packaging as being biodegradable. As consumers, we are being duped because their packaging is made from petroleum-based plastic which is degradable rather than biodegradable. It is made from a plastic manufactured by Symphony Environmental Technologies, a UK-based company who recently clinched a deal…
Bill Bryson, author of ‘A short history of nearly everything’ and ‘Notes from a small island’, has declared war on litter and recently published an article in The Times calling on manufacturers to produce biodegradable packaging. Bryson also suggested in this article that, ” we should consider a tax on retail materials that are especially…
In response to growing consumer concerns that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is toxic and hazardous to the environment as well as to our health. Multinational brands such as Wal-Mart and Sears are planning to discontinue the use of PVC plastic packaging. Electronic manufacturers Dell, Apple and Microsoft have all publically stated that they too plan to…
A company called OrganoClick have come up with a way to make non-wrinkling, waterproof and bacteria-fighting packaging made out of paper, cotton or wood, using only natural, non-synthetic compounds, such as linseed oil. This means that in the future, we’ll have products such as water-resistant cloth without the polyurethanes and waterproof paper without the nasty…
Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide. Including information about what’s happening here on the southernmost tip of Africa. Not everyone is an activist but we can all contribute to change. Start by demanding biodegradable packaging next time…
Dutch designer Gert-Jan van Breugel’s new project is a cellphone made from 100% biodegradable materials including corn and bamboo. Its still at conceptual level and hasn’t gone into production yet so your next best option until then is the Nokia Evolve, which is made from 50% renewable material and comes in reduced and recycled packaging.
According to a report by trend forecasters, The Future Lab, packaging designers need to think more holistically about the challenges we face in the future with regards to sustainability, cost-effectiveness and waste minimisation.
