Compostable vs Recyclable Packaging Debate

With the government stating all packaging was to be “recyclable, reusable or compostable” by 2025, a growing number of companies are seeking packaging solutions that fit one or more of these sustainable categories. As part of this journey, many companies will come across various terms such as recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable when seeking sustainable packaging. Despite these terms regularly being used together, they are very different and refer to unique processes when the packaging comes to its end-of-life stage. Below we have compiled descriptions of each to help you distinguish between each, including various pros, cons and live packaging examples to help inform you to decide which solution best fits your sustainable packaging requirements.

Recyclable

When we talk about recycling, this is merely the process of converting used materials into something new, stopping these materials ending up in landfill. Unfortunately, there are limitations on how many times certain materials can be recycled. For example, paper and plastics can be recycled a few times until they become unusable whereas glasses and metals can be recycled indefinitely.

The key to consumers maximising recycling is for packaging to clearly outline the end of life intention on the packaging, for instance, wash & reuse or place in the desired recycling bin for curb side collection. This is demonstrated in the results of a poll conducted by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries which found 65% of respondents said they did not understand “what plastics are acceptable in curb side collection” and 18% were confused about “finding where they can recycle plastics”.

One way brands can help customers in the future is by including clear, prominent and engaging recycling information on their packaging. Below we have listed some clever examples of this which are live in the market:

1. Smarties replace plastic packaging with recyclable paper alternative and cleverly state “I’m paper, be smart, recycle me” https://www.nestle.com/media/news/smarties-first-global-confectionery-brand-recyclable-paper-packaging
2. Carte D’Or, by Unilever, switched from plastic to paper packaging for their ice cream tubs, using 93% less plastic per pack. This packaging can be placed in paper recycling streams and be recycled once the non-recyclable plastic seal is removed. https://www.unilever.co.uk/news/2022/were-introducing-paper-tubs-for-our-carte-dor-ice-cream/

Compostable

When something is classed as compostable it means it can naturally be broken down by microorganisms such as bacteria due to the temperature and humidity of the certain conditions the item is exposed to. Despite this, the term biodegradability/compostability is vague as there is no time outlined as to how long is required for items to decompose. Some products will naturally break down over a period of centuries, weeks or years. For example, an orange peel can take as long as two years to decompose. In fact, there is a common misconception that “natural rubbish” such as banana peels, apple cores and shells from nuts are OK to leave behind or other outside spaces due to their “decomposing nature” however this is not the case. This is similar to biodegradable packaging as this type of sustainable packaging has come under the limelight recently due to the way biodegradable packaging breaks down and produces higher emissions in landfill than non-biodegradable packaging options. It has also been highlighted that this type of packaging can also stay in landfill for prolonged periods of time and therefore has reduced environmental benefits compared to recyclable packaging materials.

Contact us to learn more

The discussion about which packaging material (recyclable or compostable) is best for the environment is ongoing and there’s no correct, single answer to this question. As outlined above, these solutions come with their own benefits and limitations and we hope we have helped you to take a step forward in considering alternatives to standard packaging materials. If you would like to learn more about our sustainable, recyclable packaging materials then call our team to discuss ecoPack on 01505 707700.