Biodegradable packaging

Polybags' range of biodegradable packaging is designed to get the job done whilst reducing the impact on the environment.

We stock three main types of biodegradable packaging - compostable packaging, which includes bags and bagasse food packaging, along with biotransformation (Bio-T) bags and bio-additive bags - both of which offer a green alternative to regular polythene bags at the end of their product service life.

To find out more about each type of biodegradable packaging - and Polybags' other eco-friendly product ranges - please select from the following options:

Compostable packaging

Polybags stocks two kinds of compostable packaging: compostable bags and compostable food packaging. All of these products are derived from natural, renewable resources and all are 100% biodegradable and compostable.

Our compostable bags are the most eco-friendly packaging that we produce. Designed for industrial composting, these bags will first disintegrate (within 12 weeks) and then biodegrade (within six months) into carbon dioxide, water and biomass, in line with compostable standard EN13432.

Our extensive range of compostable food packaging is made from bagasse - a natural, fibrous by-product of processing sugar cane - an annually-renewable crop.

Bagasse packaging converts what was once agricultural waste into sustainable, renewable and compostable food packaging that supports circular economy goals.

Biotransformation packaging

Polybags manufactures a range of biodegradable packaging using regular polythene that contains a biotransformation additive which accelerates the degradation process in the open environment and is scientifically-proven to biodegrade leaving behind no microplastics.

Products made with the 'Bio-T' additive retain all the properties of regular polythene bags - including their recyclability - during their service life, but if the bag escapes refuse streams and ends up in the open-air environment, it will break down and biodegrade into carbon dioxide, water and biomass - all naturally-benign materials.

Material containing the 'Bio-T' additive has been scientifically-proven to biodegrade in the open environment and it meets PAS 9017:2000 - the British Standards Institute (BSI) standard on the weathering of polyolefins.

Bio-additive packaging

Polybags also manufacture a range of eco-friendly bags from regular polythene that contains an additive which acts as a catalyst to accelerate the degradation process.

These products have a shelf life of approximately 12 months, after which point they are designed to first degrade into small pieces - triggered by sunlight, heat or mechanical stress - and then biodegrade into natural elements (carbon dioxide, water and humus).

This process can take anywhere between 2-5 years - depending on the disposal environment - rather than decades or centuries, as is the case with regular polythene.

This 'oxo-degradable' packaging is recyclable with traditional polythene up to the point it starts to degrade, at which stage it can be disposed of in the bin, as it will break down in the upper levels of landfill when exposed to oxygen and mechanical stress.

These bags do not meet the rapid biodegradation timetable of industrial composting standard EN13432 and so can not be marketed as compostable. They may be suitable for some domestic compost units but, as disposal conditions in these vary greatly, this will be a very slow process and could take a number of years.

Due to EU directive 2019/904 on the use of single-use plastics, Polybags is no longer able to sell bio-additive products to customers within the EU.