Consumers are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of plastic packaging, and are demanding that manufacturers and suppliers offer more sustainable alternatives.
An increasing number of states and local authorities are also taking action to prohibit single-use plastics such as polystyrene containers.
In response, cornstarch panels have emerged as a non-plastic alternative touted as a sustainable solution to packaging needs, including insulated packaging.
The issue is that recycling facilities and local municipalities are speaking out against their recyclability.
Cornstarch packaging is made through the fermentation process of the corn plant&#;s sugars and starch, which creates polylactic acid (PLA). This is then mixed with polymers made from alkene to create a product that can then be used to manufacture an array of packaging containers from trays and lids to bags, plates and foldable boxes.
Since cornstarch also provides reasonable thermal protection, it is increasingly being used as an insulated packaging material.
In the race to be green, many businesses have embraced cornstarch packaging and, in so doing, accepted many of its claimed environmental benefits without a great deal of scrutiny.
On closer inspection, however, cornstarch packaging is neither the most sustainable insulated packaging solution nor the best in terms of thermal performance.
The main contentious claim made by many manufacturers of cornstarch panels is that they are fully curbside recyclable.
This isn&#;t true.
Cornstarch panels have no recycling value. They cannot be reprocessed into another material that a recycling facility can then sell.
Cornstarch panels are frequently marketed, however, as curbside recyclable on the basis that they doesn&#;t interfere with the recycling process. Even this claim is dubious though.
As a biodegradable material, cornstarch packaging can be composted instead of recycled. However, this is another contentious claim cornstarch packaging manufacturers often make.
Technically, cornstarch packaging is compostable, but there are very few facilities that can compost cornstarch in large quantities.
This is because PLA requires very specific environmental conditions in order to break down. That&#;s to say, a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, a plentiful supply of microbes, and the right amount of moisture.
Even then, the resulting compost is highly acidic and must be mixed with an alkaline substance if it is to be used as a fertilizer.
As such, cornstarch packaging is not suitable for home composting nor do most consumers live close to a facility that can compost it industrially.
So, if cornstarch panels are neither curbside recyclable nor easily compostable, where does this leave businesses and consumers looking for sustainable packaging alternatives?
For insulated packaging solutions, we suggest 100 percent paper-based materials as a superior alternative. The key benefit of using 100% paper insulated packaging is that your customers can conveniently recycle it curbside once received.
IPC&#;s CelluLiner insulated packaging is made using numerous layers of paper that contain thousands of small air pockets per cm3 to substantially slow heat transfer. It&#;s available in various forms to suit different packaging needs:
Britt Martin, Arka's Partnerships lead, blends e-commerce expertise with sustainability advocacy, nurturing startups as a Founder in Residence at NYU.
What is Cornstarch Packaging? Understanding the Basics
Many people wonder, &#;what is cornstarch packaging&#;; well, cornstarch (or cornflour) is a thickening agent, and cornstarch packaging is a type of biodegradable packaging material made from a combination of cornstarch, sugar (or glycerin), and water. Cornstarch packaging is an alternative to using polystyrene and plastic packaging options. This is because cornstarch packaging is biodegradable, compostable, and carbon neutral, so it doesn&#;t generate waste and high carbon emissions. Cornstarch packaging is commonly used for food on the go.
How is Cornstarch Packaging Made?
Cornstarch packaging is created when cornstarch and sugar are mixed together and subjected to the fermentation process - where chemical breakdown occurs. Then, the shape of the packaging is molded and set while cooling down. During the production process, fewer greenhouse gases are produced.
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Pros and Cons of Cornstarch Packaging
There are benefits and disadvantages of cornstarch packaging to consider when deciding if this is the type of packaging you&#;d like to use for your business.
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Benefits of Cornstarch Packaging
Here are the benefits of using cornstarch packaging:
&#; Cornstarch packaging is 100% biodegradable. This means that the material naturally breaks down and dissolves into small components in an ecosystem, thanks to microorganisms. Cornstarch packaging can take as little as 90 days to biodegrade when disposed of correctly.
&#; Cornstarch packaging is 100% recyclable, and this is good because this can be remade into new materials and products instead of going to waste and adding to the increasing problem of landfills and pollution.
&#; Cornstarch packaging comes with no potentially harmful toxins. Cornstarch packaging produces no harmful toxins from production to usage, so it doesn&#;t pollute the environment with bad chemicals during production and after the biodegradable process. Also, this makes cornstarch packaging a good choice for food takeaways and storage because the lack of chemicals means that there&#;s hardly any chance of cross-contamination.
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&#; Cornstarch packaging doesn&#;t generate carbon emissions. By opting into using cornstarch packaging for your business, you can reduce your carbon footprint because production and the biodegradable processes don&#;t generate waste and greenhouse gases.
Credits: Danilo Saito, Maira Kondo, Akira Mizutani, Lau Bellesa & Mariana Mascarenhas.
Challenges and Limitations of Cornstarch Packaging
Here are some challenges and limitations of using cornstarch packaging for your business:
&#; Infrastructure: There&#;s not much infrastructure for many businesses to support cornstarch packaging because it is a relatively new concept. However, this might improve when more businesses and consumers use this type of packaging more frequently.
&#; Issues with recycling: Further down the line, recycling cornstarch packaging might be difficult further down the line, making it less sustainable. Cornstarch packaging is biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable. However, it needs to be disposed of correctly; otherwise, it could end up in a landfill, which completely defeats the purpose.
&#; Moisture sensitivity: Cornstarch packaging is great to use for takeaway food, but the heat from the moisture may cause the packaging to become a little bit soggy in texture because it can&#;t withstand too much moisture.
&#; High production costs: Producing cornstarch packaging costs a lot of money, which might not be feasible for some businesses, especially SMEs and start-ups.
Why You Should Switch to Cornstarch Packaging
Despite the challenges, here are some of the reasons why your business should switch to cornstarch packaging.
Using cornstarch packaging is an effective way to enhance brand image and show consumers that you care about being eco-friendly. Cornstarch packaging is normally plain, but it can make your brand look impressive to consumers.
Credits: Deda Designs
By adopting cornstarch packaging as a packaging solution for your business, you can contribute to the environment. Using it means less waste, reducing your carbon footprint, and using packaging that contains biodegradable and compostable packaging materials that dissolve and enhance the ecosystem.
If you run a food takeaway business, using cornstarch packaging can help you to comply with regulations. Serving food comes with a whole host of rules you must follow to ensure the safety and care of your customers. With cornstarch packaging, you don&#;t have to worry about toxins contaminating the food you serve because cornstarch packaging doesn&#;t produce harmful chemicals in the production process or when it&#;s in use.
Using cornstarch packaging is a way to help your business meet consumer demand. These days, more customers are conscious of climate change and sustainability, so by using cornstarch packaging, you are aligning with the typical consumer&#;s values. Also, it is a quick and easy way to serve food, which is handy for the lunchtime rush!
How to Recycle Cornstarch Packaging
Cornstarch packaging needs to be recycled properly so that it doesn&#;t end up in a landfill or generate waste. Here&#;s a helpful step-by-step guide to help you with the correct process:
1. First of all, check the labeling on the cornstarch packaging. If it&#;s marked as PLA (polylactic acid), it is biodegradable and compostable. You can add this to your compost heap or send it to an industrial compost center.
2. To recycle cornstarch packaging, it&#;s important to separate this from regular recyclable items to prevent mixing and contamination within the recycling stream.
Credits: thedieline.com
3. Check your local area for rules on recycling cornstarch packaging and see if it can be included in recycling collections.
4. Alternatively, take the cornstarch packaging to a recycling center to recycle it properly.
Final Thoughts
All in all, using cornstarch packaging is one way to go green and be more eco-friendly. It&#;s a better alternative to using plastic packaging because it produces less carbon emissions and it is biodegradable and compostable. Also, it&#;s the type of packaging that&#;s ideal for takeaway food because of its lack of toxins - and therefore, less chance of chemical contamination of food.
FAQs on Cornstarch Packaging
Here are some frequently asked questions about cornstarch packaging.
Can biodegradable cornstarch packaging go anywhere?
We know that cornstarch packaging is biodegradable, but can biodegradable cornstarch packaging go anywhere? It&#;s important to remember to dispose of cornstarch packaging correctly so that it degrades properly and quickly, otherwise it might end up in a landfill.
Is cornstarch packaging good for food packaging?
If you operate a food business and sell food on the go, you&#;re probably wondering, &#;is cornstarch packaging good for food packaging?&#; The answer is yes. Cornstarch packaging doesn&#;t produce harmful toxins or chemicals, so it&#;s safe to use with food products because there&#;s less likely to be an instance of cross-contamination.
Is cornstarch packaging compostable?
Is cornstarch packing compostable if it is eco-friendly and biodegradable? Yes! Cornstarch packaging is biodegradable, carbon neutral, and compostable, so it generates zero waste, dissolves quickly, and leaves minerals in the soil to form compost when disposed of correctly.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Corn Starch Food Container. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.