[September Free Report] Biodegradable Packaging – An Eco-Friendly Approach?by Prince Foley | 30-09-2022 21:43 |
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 Packaging plays a major role in the protection and shelf life extension in the supply chain of a food product. Plastic based packaging has been widely used since decades. These materials made from petroleum based derivatives are expensive, takes many years for decomposing thereby polluting the environment. According to the report by Central Pollution Control Board of India (2013), about 15342 tons of plastic waste is generated every day across the country. Less than 5% of the plastics are recyclable and the rest pollute the land and water bodies thus, affecting the fauna and flora. Dumping plastic wastes makes the harmful chemicals to leach down in the soil affecting the soil fertility and incinerating these wastes emits toxic gases, which are harmful to the environment. Biodegradable packaging is made from eco-friendly materials. Hence, it is easier to recycle. They require less energy to produce. They are non- toxic 3 with reduced carbon emission and help to reduce climate change. Though, biodegradable packaging has many advantages over plastics, they have their own limitations. Long term usage of biodegradable packaging from plant source may lead to more requirement of plant matter for their production. Biodegradable packaging can be a best alternative to plastics when used in conjunction with metal containers. They offer best packaging solution for perishables against microbes. The dependence on fossil fuel is reduced due to possible shift from plastics. Even if biodegradable packaging has not reached its full bloom to save our eco system, judicial use of this alternative packaging is advisable. However, in Malawi the battle to ban thin plastics is still on as the matter is still at the supreme court for 8 months now as one company that produces thin plastics called Golden Plastics took an injunction but still the court hasn't made any decision on this important matter of national interest. Meanwhile, producers have scaled up production and the mess is out there for all to see. Blue plastics are fast covering our land, choking livestock and sinking to the breeding grounds of our declining fish stocks in Lake Malawi and other water bodies. Sadly, these producers started fighting the ban from day one in 2015. This was despite several engagements, consultations and agreements between the government and producers which lasted almost five years before the ban entered into force. Still more I am optimistic that the final judgement will favour nature. References https://www.desjardin.fr/en/blog/what-is-biodegradable-packaging
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