Single-use plastics such as straws, cups, grocery bags and plates are being phased out and made to disappear from small stores and supermarkets. Up until 2020, corporate entities were told to ditch their plastic items, and instead, opt for eco-friendly version of goods and material packaging. However, since the coronavirus pandemic is seeming to come to an end, or at least on the verge of ceasing to exist in the near future, many businesses and clients may prefer to return to saving the environment. And it is not far away from this point that these businesses will rejoin the environmental movement in full swing by ordering more and more biodegradable products.
Unfortunately, the confusion about what is eco-friendly and what is a environmental-hazard is still there. And when it comes to shrink film, the most commonly used wrapping material in industries, manufacturing sectors and households, the main question is the same - Whether to choose biodegradable or recyclable? The answer is, it depends.
Traditional Recyclable Shrink Film
Made out of plastic, this shrink film is used in a wide range of industries for a wide range of purposes. From time to time, businesses and clients look for an alternative to plastic, and they come up with a solution in the form of recyclable shrink film. So, is this the right choice? It surely is, if you are a fan of recycling. For one thing, traditional shrink film is fully recyclable, and hence totally environmental friendly.
Unfortunately, many waste management companies have their customers think otherwise. They refuse to accept traditional shrink films, and therefore, leave the impression that such materials are not eco-friendly. The truth is, plastic films require appropriate recycling infrastructure that are expensive, and many waste management companies are reluctant to own. The result is the films ending up in landfills and undesirable places. The good news is, there are still a handful of third-party recycling firms that will gladly accept plastic films and recycle them as required.
Biodegradable Shrink Film
These films are made from biopolymer-based plastics that are biodegradable, and hence environmental friendly. They degrade a lot faster than traditional plastic films. Traditional plastic films could take up to 1000 years to degrade fully. People who are environment-conscious may find biodegradable film as a cool alternative to plastic materials. However, one caveat though. Although they are degradable, they cannot be recycled like plastic. In any case, biodegradable materials need to be disposed appropriately and not thrown in the trash or recyclable bins.
Sustainability Factors
Sustainability is an important factor to look for when you are trying to choose a shrink film. Both plastic and biodegradable variety are sustainable in their own way. So, there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution to product packaging. Some industries may prefer plastic over other varieties due to cost and availability. Households will have environment concerns when making this choice. The general rule of thumb is, if customers are passionate about recycling, traditional plastic shrink film can be a viable choice. If they know proper disposal techniques for biodegradable and are willing to implement them, bio-based shrink film is the way to go. Again, what they choose depends on their needs and budget. Traditional plastic variety is cost effective compared to bio-based films. It is important, therefore, to analyze their unique requirements and advise based on them.
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