Current Problem

According to data reported by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT, by its acronym in Spanish), 100,000 tons of waste are generated in Mexico every day–out of which only quite a low percentage is recycled. 

For that reason, materials used in packaging manufacturing should offer an alternative to the responsible management of solid waste that guarantees sustainability of materials used so as to reduce environmental footprint and foster recycling through the use of biodegradable and compostable packaging.

Biodegradable Packaging

In a large number of landfills across the country, biodegradable packaging is disposed of out in the open to start the decomposition process. Nonetheless, temperature, moist, and oxygen control is needed to reduce degradation times and achieve a more efficient process.

A full biodegradation process is completed even if packagings are not properly disposed of in recyclable systems and/or landfills given that they decompose and reintegrate to the environment thanks to microbial action.  

Compostable Packaging

Compostable packaging, also known as bio-resins or biopolymers, require  non-toxic microorganisms and organic residue to form compost. This results in a faster degradation in controlled temperature and humidity conditions and can be composted with or without the presence of oxygen. 

All compostable packagings are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable ones are compostable.

The European Committee for Standardization stipulates compostable packaging is to meet the following attributes:

• Biodegrade in no more than six months in, at least, 90% of its total mass.
• Be free of pathogens and heavy metals to comply with effectiveness and ecotoxicity tests.  By contributing to plant growth, compostable packagings become a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.

The composition of compostable packaging varies based on its origin, and might be:

• Cellulose and starch
• Whey proteins, jellies, egg shells, and chitosan
• Derived from microbial action, as is the case of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)
• Industrial organic waste such as bagasse resultant from the cereal, fruit, and tuber industries

Use of Insoluble Fibers in Packaging Development 

Traditionally, natural materials (agave cuticle, corn leaves, banana leaves) have been used in Mexico to cook and package, carry and consume products like mixiotes, tamales, and cheese.

Current ideas consist of using agro-industrial waste that could be sustainably transformed as an alternative to the massive use of plastics.

Lignin is a biopolymer present in insoluble fiber of plant-origin products and which can be used in the manufacturing of biodegradable packaging given its mechanic and physicochemical properties that make it impermeable and hard. Today, waste like nut shells, agave waste, as well as apple, mango and banana skin is used.

Cellulose is another ingredient present in insoluble fiber. It is used to manufacture compostable packaging from wood pulp from sustainable sources. Tea packaging is one example in which cellulose is used due to its high-performance barrier at the same time it keeps freshness and shelf life of the product.

Research shows these kinds of packaging break down in a 26-week period without any negative impact to the environment.

Cardboard, being a byproduct of cellulose, is 80% biodegradable. Its high resistance makes it an easy-to-reuse product with low environmental impact which meets global standards on industrial composting–that is why cardboard is still considered a good alternative for fresh produce. Nowadays, it can be obtained from cellulose or starch biomass.

Use of Bacterial Fermentation for New Packaging

Different kinds of biopolymers obtained from bacterial fermentation show properties stemming from the more than a hundred monomers included in polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)–this gives them great versatility to pack various kinds of foods. In general terms, they have good thermoplastic, mechanic, and high-crystallinity properties.

Polylactic acid (PLA) is another example of a biopolymer gotten from fermentation. It is obtained by fermenting lactic acid present in corn starch biomass and can also be found in tubers, legumes, banana, and other sources of starch with high lactic acid content.

After a process of polymerization, its molecular structure provides it with mechanical properties similar to PET with outstanding thermostability and transparency properties.

Responsible Waste Management

As part of the Global Strategy for Environmental Sustainability, a series of measures are encouraged on comprehensive and responsible management of waste like the following:

• Reduction of plastic use
• Research and innovation of recyclable, biodegradable, and/or compostable materials
• Promotion of partnerships in favor of linear and circular recycling

These actions contribute to the fight against climate change by reducing CO₂ emissions with strategies oriented towards the use of renewable energies and waste reduction.

At present, there are many companies betting on the use of compostable and biodegradable packaging made with  waste from the processing of agricultural products and other renewable resources. Sliced bread packaging, nets for citric products, bottles of water, berries boxes and cheese packaging are only a few examples.

A Renewable and Sustainable Future

Packaging innovation is expected to make the materials used in food and beverage packaging come from renewable source materials which, at the same time, meet mechanic and thermal-resistance features needed to preserve, pack, and transport food safely. 

What’s more, the use of nanotechnology allows for potential property improvements like oxygen, water vapor, and fat permeability as to guarantee product safety and quality.

Regarding cost reduction, packaging are now less thick and made with materials both sustainable and inexpensive–which has had a positive impact on said reduction.

Biodegradable and compostable packaging doesn’t only meet consumers’ demands, it also makes taking care of the planet possible by reducing landfills and providing new alternatives which value bioplastics as fertilizers and biofuels.

References

de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, S. (s. f.). Residuos Sólidos Urbanos (RSU). gob.mx. Recuperado 23 de octubre de 2023, de https://www.gob.mx/semarnat/acciones-y-programas/residuos-solidos-urbanos-rsu

García, G. (2022, febrero 4). Empaques compostables, la apuesta del té Bird & Blend THE FOOD TECH - Medio de noticias líder en la Industria de Alimentos y Bebidas; THE FOOD TECH. https://thefoodtech.com/diseno-e-innovacion-para-empaque/empaques-compostables-la-apuesta-del-te-bird-blend/

Juárez, C. (2010, mayo 21). Plástico biodegradable producido con almidón extraído de la papa. THE FOOD TECH - Medio de noticias líder en la Industria de Alimentos y Bebidas; THE FOOD TECH. https://thefoodtech.com/insumos-para-empaque/plastico-biodegradable-producido-con-almidon-extraido-de-la-papa/

Juárez, C. (2013, mayo 22). Bioplástico en envase alimentario, última tendencia de la industria. THE FOOD TECH - Medio de noticias líder en la Industria de Alimentos y Bebidas; THE FOOD TECH. https://thefoodtech.com/insumos-para-%20empaque/bioplastico-en-envase-alimentario-ultima-tendencia-de-la-industria/

Nanotecnología y obtención de biopolímeros resistentes y apropiados. (2019, mayo 20). THE FOOD TECH - Medio de noticias líder en la Industria de Alimentos y Bebidas; THE FOOD TECH. https://thefoodtech.com/historico/nanotecnologia-y-obtencion-de-biopolimeros-resistentes-y-apropiados/

Pan en empaque compostable, la aportación de Grupo Bimbo. (2019, agosto 22). THE FOOD TECH - Medio de noticias líder en la Industria de Alimentos y Bebidas; THE FOOD TECH. https://thefoodtech.com/historico/pan-en-empaque-compostable-la-aportacion-de-grupo-bimbo/

¿Qué requiere un empaque compostable para degradarse? (2020, octubre 14). THE FOOD TECH - Medio de noticias líder en la Industria de Alimentos y Bebidas; THE FOOD TECH. https://thefoodtech.com/insumos-para-empaque/que-requiere-un-empaque-compostable-para-degradarse/