A short guide to ecological packaging.

Environmentally friendly plastic now available on the market.

Recently, we have noticed a significant increase in demand for all types of packaging made of ecological materials. It does not matter whether it is due to increasing awareness or following trends - what matters is that it is good for our planet.

Many cosmetic companies want to pack their products in ecological jars and bottles. That is why they buy packaging called ecological, but it is not entirely clear whether it has been proven that it is a good quality and environmentally safe product. Buying packaging from such companies may be an option for start-ups, but certainly not for large companies. Therefore, before someone risks their reputation by striving to achieve the image of an eco-company, it is worth taking a closer look at what "eco", "bio" or "green" packaging means.

Bio plastic

This is something very popular nowadays. Bio plastics are polymers made from renewable raw materials without petroleum - corn, sugar, cellulose, etc. They are less harmful to the environment because, firstly, they are biodegradable, and secondly, they are made from easily renewable materials. The product's bio label always indicates the origin of the plastic jar, bottle or closure.

The most important trick in bio packaging is that the amount of biodegradable material in the packaging varies between 10% and 100% depending on the model.

Biodegradable plastic

Biodegradable materials are those that can decompose or are absorbed by microorganisms under specific conditions. There are two types of biodegradable plastic:

• Plastic with a bio base, naturally biodegradable, which does not require special conditions.
• Polymers with a petroleum base, with an additive enabling biodegradation.

The first type of plastic is the most popular packaging and the most money is invested in its production. In addition to the lower environmental impact, the production process itself causes much less harm to the planet compared to petroleum-based polymers.

Compostable plastic

It is often confused with biodegradable plastic. Only materials that can decompose in "wild nature", water, CO₂, and biomass can be called compostable in a relatively short time, without special conditions. Some biodegradable plastics can also be this way, but they take much longer to break down. Compostable plastic always contains biodegradable material, but never the other way around. Compostable packaging is the least common these days, but in terms of its environmental impact, it's the best thing you can do, so it's well worth the time and money.

Recyclable plastic

Currently, 99% of plastic packaging is recyclable, regardless of whether it is biodegradable, compostable, bio-based or not. Ordinary plastic with a petroleum base is also degradable. After sorting, the plastic is ground, cleaned and then reused. Thanks to this process, we obtain recycled PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) or PIR (Post-Industrial Recycled) plastic. One of the most important features of recycling is that once plastic has been processed, it cannot exist in the same form as before. A recycled bottle may later become a park bench or insulation, but it will never be a cosmetics bottle again.

For now, not all recyclable packaging deserves to be called "eco". No matter where it comes from, all plastic can be recycled and reused. The “recycled” badge is currently a minimum for an eco-friendly program, not an important benefit. Another way to reduce environmental impact is through low emissions and electrical consumption, low production of non-waste materials or production combined with recycling.