Choosing a biodegradable Stretch Film

You’ve probably wondered if there are ways to be more biodegradable, and you can do this with stretch film. There are different kinds, with plus points and drawbacks, but what's the best for the needs of the business. This depends largely on budget, sustainability, and other sorts of requirements. What’s good for a competitor for example, might not cut it for you.

But how are you able to decide on the right stretch film that’s biodegradable? To figure this part out, you’ll have to consider certain things prior to purchasing this. This also does involve the composting abilities, or the lack of such, the formulations of material, the recyclability, the lead times, the cost, and other elements in which you’ll want to look at, and ultimately purchase down the line as well. 

Compostable or Biodegradable Stretch Film 

A good thing to look at when you’re deciding on the type of stretch film that’s biodegradable, is whether or not you want to make it compostable, or just biodegradable. While it might seem like a silly decision, there’s a major difference between the different types. 

Biodegradable for example will break down in the ground.  But, it only does this when it’s in the right place. You need to dispose of it in the same manner in order to have it take effect. You need to usually give it oxygen, heat, air, and water in order for it to properly biodegrade. This is usually where the elements get exposed, and then, usually it biodegrades within five or so years.

There are others however, where they’re able to biodegrade within landfills, or you can put it in a composting pile. Speaking of composting, that’s the other type. This is the type of stretch film where you either throw this in the compost, or you bring it to a facility that helps with this. Home composting is something that you set up, whereas at a composting facility, they take this, and they combine this with other sorts of compostable materials, and then, you’re able to provide these to customers.  Trucks then help collect the rest of this material. 

Usually, when you use compostable, you can have someone collect this in the same manner that they do recycling.  They work like garbage trucks, and they take the waste, then leave it behind. From there, it’s taken to the facility to compost.  Once this is put though, they then bag the compost, and it’s sent to be sold to different retailers, including garden and home centers, and the like.  There are even those that service people there.  If your town doesn’t have a contract for instance with this, but you want to use this facility for this, then you can pay to have them grab this.

The Difference 

Composting and biodegradable are used in many similar situations. In general, composting is pretty much all biodegradable in most cases. But biodegradable stretch film types are not always going to be able to be composted.

Is This right for me? 

This is something you have to decide for yourself. If you want to compost, then get the compostable type.

If you want to get something that doesn’t require the extra baggage of composting, then your best bet is to go biodegradable.

If you’re trying to avoid plastic however, then neither of these two options are worth it. 

Finally, if you’re trying to get something that can be recycled, and biodegradable, then you should go with a type of biodegradable type of stretch film.

Look at your options, and decide for yourself before you take the plunge and make a purchase like this.