Biodegradable Packaging

Biodegradable Packaging refers to packaging materials that, under specific environmental conditions, naturally decompose into water, carbon dioxide, biomass, and other substances through microbial action (such as bacteria, fungi, algae). Common materials include polylactic acid (PLA), starch-based plastics, and molded pulp. In foreign trade, this term is often used in transactions with markets that have strict environmental regulations, such as Europe, America, Japan, and South Korea, especially involving food, personal care, and e-commerce products. Usage scenarios include: customers requesting biodegradable certifications (e.g., EN 13432, ASTM D6400), packaging labeling, customs declaration, and environmental compliance statements. Precautions: ① Biodegradable is not equal to compostable; the latter requires meeting specific degradation rates and toxicity requirements; ② Some biodegradable plastics require industrial composting conditions and are difficult to degrade in home environments, which must be clarified with customers; ③ When exporting, confirm the destination country's definition of biodegradable materials and labeling regulations to avoid misleading claims. The difference from 'Recyclable Packaging' is that recyclable focuses on material recycling, while biodegradable focuses on biological decomposition after disposal. The difference from 'Bio-based Packaging' is that bio-based only refers to renewable raw material sources and is not necessarily biodegradable.