No microplastics left behind with new home compostable wrap
Local Adelaide manufacturer BioBag World Australia have created a new clear, certified home compostable mailing film for Direct Mail Centre of Australia.
The new product serves as an alternative to their single-use counterpart, that breaks down into microplastics. Scott Morton, Director of Biobag World, cited the new compostable wrap as an opportunity for a better environmental outcome. The wrap certifies that no microplastic will be left behind, even in a home compost bin, with the capability of being returned to the earth as organic matter.
“When exposed to microorganisms and oxygen, Compostable Wrap can be gone in a matter of weeks. It’s important to read the small print and check for certifications to the Australian Standard AS4376-2006 for industrial compostable and AS5810-2010 for home compostable” Morton said.
Director of Direct Mail Centre Chris Lawson recounted going to BioBag for the Compostable Wrap as he was looking for a plastic alternative for mailing film. “We worked with BioBag to create a home compostable wrap that completely eliminates plastic because it is 100 percent compostable” he said. “When you think about the millions of magazine wraps that break down into microplastics, we have the ability to change that right now” Lawson continued.
Currently in the midst of his MBA studies at the University of South Australia, Chris Lawson recalls his first class on strategic management, where they were asked to find opportunities for innovation in direct mail. “One of the opportunities I identified was for product diversification into greener alternatives, and this lead me to BioBag, and is how Compostable Wrap was born”.
Highlighting the duty that companies now hold to be socially responsible, Lawson states that “those that send out tabloids or magazines can show a commitment to environmental sustainability by switching to Compostable Wrap, as this product now exists”.
The product has already been sent out to a number of Direct Mail customers.
With the Government of South Australia taking action against the issue of plastic pollution, Scott Morton welcomes the bid to ban single-use plastics and all products made of exo-degradable plastic. “Significant evidence indicates that oxo-degradable plastics do not degrade into harmless residues, but instead fragment into tiny pieces of plastic and contribute to microplastic pollution” says Morton.
Noting the growing functionality of BioBags, Scott continues to highlight that paired with access to the leading Mater-Bi resin, local manufacturing has also allowed for more flexibility in customising compostable solutions.
“New machines were installed in March this year, so we can now lead the way with more advanced films, enhanced capabilities, greater capacity and increased commitment to compostable alternatives” said Scott.
Meet the BioBag team and view more of their products at AWRE this 25-26 November 2020, at the ICC Sydney.
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