Alternatives to Plastic to Try

If you’re looking at this, chances are you’ve heard of the plastic packaging tax that’s being brough to the UK. It was started on April 1st, 2022, and it’s something that causes those who use plastic to be charged a $200 fine for every ton of this. Even if you don’t make plastic, there is a chance that you’ll see this rise. This is in place for a reason. Typically, plastic takes a long time to break down, with plenty of animals killed every single year because of this, due to starvation and engagement, because of that, there are some people who wat to change his, and since there are microplastics which have been found in the blood of humans, it can cause cell damage as well. Between the growing costs and even consumer concern, there are a few reasons why people may not want to use plastic. So let’s look at the alternatives, shall we? 

Recycled Kinds 

The other obvious one is recycled packages, which is something that’s made from recycled material. There are some kinds of boxes that go up to 100% recycled, and it’s the best in eco-friendly packaging. The problem with this, however, is that it can be a little bit more expensive, but it definitely is something that pays in the long run. You can get single-walled types of make it more durable and compact, and you can also leave out the tape if you want to reduce your costs. They’re compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable. 

There are also book wrap mailers that are made out of totally recycled paper. They do come with a simplistic and effective means to protect everything as it goes into transit, and it has a multi-depth feature that offers a wide range of different products and measurements. Should customers want to return these, they can use the same packaging as well, and you don’t even need to use seals to adhere it. 

Compostable kinds 

What is the next step past recycled packaging? Compostable of course! The PPT doesn’t include anything that’s compostable in the rules, so what that means is that you will not be punished with this, and it reduces plastic consumption. You can get mailing bags which are compostable. they won’t be around forever and are great for small items including clothes and whatnot. 

The cool thing about these bags is you can put them in the ground, and they biodegrade within less than a year.  It can take minimally 3 months for it to get broken down. It not only cuts your costs so you’re not paying extreme taxes, but you’re also helping the world, so that’s indeed a no brainer. 

Most of these bags are made with cornstarch, so they can be composted, and are biodegradable. If you’re selling foodstuffs, there are now paper kraft sandwich bags, so you can use this, and it’s plant-based that lets you have customers that look at the contents that are in there. 

The PLA stands for polylactic acid, which is made from a renewable resource, including sugarcane and cornstarch, and this is something that’s a natural polymer, so you can compose this commercially. PLA packaging is great because it creates 65% less usage of energy compared to plastic, and it also emits far fewer greenhouse gases, and it does offer a variety of different options, so you can be green and clean. 

Biodegradable 

Biodegradable is different, as this is something that is made from materials that literally degrade with time. this is great because you can use it immediately, and it’s something that isn’t the same as compostable.