The Importance of Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Garment Bags for Sustainable Packaging

The Importance of Biodegradable Garment Bags

In today's world of fast fashion and online shopping, packaging waste is a growing concern. Many clothing items are shipped to customers in plastic polybags that end up in landfills and take centuries to break down. However, there is a better solution - biodegradable garment bags. These bags provide the protection and functionality of regular plastic bags, but they break down naturally in the environment without causing harm.

What Are Biodegradable Garment Bags?

Biodegradable garment bags are made from plant-based or other compostable materials that can decompose in the natural environment. Most are made from materials like:

• Corn starch
• Potato starch
• PLA (polylactic acid) from plant sugars
• Cassava
• Agricultural residues

The molecules that make up these natural materials can be broken down by microbes and enzymes and be returned to biological molecules like carbon dioxide, methane, water, inorganic compounds, or biomass. This makes them much better for the environment compared to traditional plastic packaging.

Benefits of Using Biodegradable Garment Bags

Switching from regular plastic polybags to biodegradable garment bags offers many advantages:

• They reduce waste and the amount sent to landfills
• They cut down on plastic pollution and protect marine life
• They have a much lower carbon footprint compared to plastic
• They make a sustainable packaging solution for brands and consumers
• They can be commercially composted when disposal options exist
• Some types can even be composted at home easily

Compostable vs Biodegradable Garment Bags

Are compostable and biodegradable garment bags the same thing? What's the difference? When discussing sustainable packaging options like these bags, it helps clarify the terminology.

Compostable

A compostable garment bag is made up of materials like plant starches, cellulose, wood fibers, and polylactic acid (PLA). Microorganisms are able to break these materials down into natural substances.

The key is that compostable bags require more specific conditions to fully biodegrade. They need the right levels of heat, moisture, oxygen, and bacteria to break down. These conditions are typically only found in commercial composting facilities.

Biodegradable

A biodegradable garment bag is also made of natural materials like plant starches instead of plastic polymers. But these materials can break down through natural decomposition processes in different environments, like home compost piles or even when littered as litter in the natural environment.

So the main difference is that biodegradable bags don't require commercial composting facilities to break down. They degrade under more natural conditions at different speeds.

Making Your Packaging More Sustainable

For any ecommerce brand shipping items like clothing, shoes, accessories and more, switching to biodegradable garment bags is an easy way to upgrade to more eco-friendly packaging. But how do you choose which type is right for your business? Here are some tips.

Look for Certifications

Check that any biodegradable or compostable garment bags you choose have been properly third-party certified. Some certifications to look for are:

• TUV AUSTRIA OK Compost certification - confirms bags are compostable
• TUV AUSTRIA OK Biodegradable Soil - biodegrades in landfills or soil
• BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) certification - ensures correct biodegrading
• European EN 13432 standard - qualified compostable packaging

Consider Bag Thickness

Another factor is the thickness of the biodegradable garment bags. Thicker bags around 3-4 mil provide more sturdy protection for items like clothing and shoes. But thinner bags around 1 mil are better for the environment, decompose quicker, and cost less.

So weigh up what level of protection your packaged goods need versus sustainability factors to choose the ideal thickness.

Get Any Required Custom Printing

Communicating that your packaging is biodegradable or compostable is important too. Make sure to get any required custom branding, logos, slogans, or messaging printed on your new bags.

This spreads awareness to customers about improved sustainability initiatives. It also shows your brand cares about these issues which builds trust and loyalty.

The Future of Sustainable Packaging

Biodegradable garment bags and other plant-based packaging solutions clearly represent the future. As consumers become more aware of environmental issues, demand for eco-friendly packaging keeps growing across industries.

Brands that switch earlier reap rewards like positive PR, an ethical brand image, and higher profits from premium sustainable products. With affordable, functional options now available like compostable mailers and biodegradable polybags, the time to make the switch is now.

FAQs

How long does it take for biodegradable garment bags to break down?

Most biodegradable garment bags take around 3-6 months to fully decompose. However thicker bags may take up to 2 years. The rate depends on factors like thickness, specific materials used, and the exposure environmental conditions like moisture and temperature the bags receive.

Can biodegradable garment bags go in the regular trash?

Yes, biodegradable garment bags can go directly into your normal waste bins, whether that waste goes to landfills or waste-to-energy facilities. The bags will break down naturally over time even in landfill conditions. Just avoid putting them in recycling bins, where they may contaminate other recyclable materials.

Are biodegradable bags more expensive?

Biodegradable garment bags used to be significantly pricier than regular plastic polybags. But as materials science and production capacity has improved, costs have come down substantially. There is now little price difference, especially for thinner bag options. And being able to brand them as eco-friendly often allows passing any small costs to consumers.

Can I compost biodegradable garment bags at home?

You can compost certified compostable garment bags in a well-managed home compost pile. They'll break down best if mixed and buried into the center of hot, active compost along with other yard and food waste. However, most standard biodegradable bags require commercial composting conditions to fully decompose, making them unsuitable for backyard composting.