Biodegradation is nature's way of recycling wastes or breaking down organic matter into nutrients that can be used by other organisms. 'Degradation' means decay and the 'bio' prefix means that the decay is carried out by a huge assortment of bacteria, fungi, insects, worms and other organisms that eat dead material and recycle it into new forms.
All things biodegrade but the timeframes involved vary greatly. We tend to use this word when referring to packagin made from non plastic materials as plastic takes a very long time to biodegrade whereas bioplastics can biodegrade much faster when composted.
In nature, there is no waste because everything gets recycled. The waste products from one organism become the food for others, providing nutrients and energy while breaking down the waste organic matter. Some organic materials will break down much faster than others, but all will eventually decay.
By harnessing these natural forces of biodegradation, people can reduce waste and clean up some types of environmental contaminants. Through composting, we accelerate natural biodegradation and convert organic wastes to a valuable resource. To register for organics collection, head over to the Composting Servicepage.
What is Compostable Packaging?
Compostable packaging is made from entirely plant materials. This means it can be composted in either residential or commercial composters depending on the specific materials. When composted pacakging that's compostable becomes ready to use soil.
What is Biodegradable Packaging?
Biodegradable materials reduce carbon emissions to the environment. Since most of them are made from natural materials, such as paper and sugarcane fibre, there is minimal usage of plastic materials which the manufacturing process tends to emit poisonous gases into the atmosphere.
Where are BioPak's Biocups Made?
The paper cups are made in Taiwan. The factory produces 170 million cups per month and is the third largest cup producer outside the USA.
Can BioCups and Lids Be Composted?
Yes! All of the paper cups on this website are commercially compostable. The bioplastic/PLA lids (small, large) are also commercially compostable and will completely biodegrade inside 120 days, inside commercial compost facilities. Organic waste collection services are now available through BioPak's various collection partners at this web page.
Are BioCups and Lids Recyclable?
Yes, contrary to popular belief they are recyclable in most council collections in Australia. If you would like to recycle them, we recommend rinsing them to remove any food waste/contamination, flatten them and dispose of them in your curbside recycling bin.
What Happens to BioCups in Landfill?
Modern landfills are designed to entomb municipal garbage rather than allow it to biodegrade. When paper products are disposed of to landfill rather than recycled, they can take as long as 40 years to biodegrade and when they do, they release methane gas. Methane is not good news for the environment. It has a lifespan 21 times longer than carbon dioxide. Australian households, on average, throw away 330kg of paper each, per year. Together, by recycling and reusing paper products we can make a drastic difference to the space needed for landfill and the emissions generated.
Ideally, any paper product that is not too soiled by food or other material should be recycled. If the material is too contaminated, then commercial composting is the best solution. Commercial composting captures the value in the raw material and its emissions allowing some of the value of the material to be retained.
BioPak understand that some of their cups will end up in landfill rather than getting recycled or composted, so they have undertaken carbon offset measures to adequately balance these emissions.
At Planet Friendly Packaging we help change business practices and environmental outcomes towards a more ethical and sustainable future by distributing the BioPak biodegradable and compostable range of packaging.
Planet Friendly Packaging provides simple and cost effective solutions to a variety of business problems by helping our clients to do the right thing by the planet. All of the solutions are designed to help you and your business benefit from cost reduction, customer and market appreciation, as well as a healthier and happier workplace.
Planet Friendly Packaging distributes a selectively chosen range of BioPak biodegradable and compostable food and beverage packaging to help everyday business owners reduce their costs and environmental impacts.
We now also offer a compost collection service for organic food and compostable packaging waste to divert those materials from land fill, reduce green house gas emissions and retain the value in the material to effectively close the loop and contribute to the circular economy. Click here to find out more or register for the organic waste collection service.
At Planet Friendly Packaging we are committed to finding the right solution to fit your business, whether that be replacing a single product that your customers have indicated you should update or supplying eco-friendly alternative products for all of your compostable packaging and food and beverage service needs. Head to our blog for more information about what we're up to. Contact us now to start making your business more planet friendly.
Together we can make a difference to minimise the environmental impacts of the hospitality industry.
Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Planet Friendly Packaging’s relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website.
The term ‘Planet Friendly Packaging’ or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website whose registered office is 17 Brereton Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101 (office only NO stock or samples). Our ABN is 56 182 361 392. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website.
The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:
The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.
This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.
All trademarks reproduced in this website, which are not the property of, or licensed to the operator, are acknowledged on the website.
Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence.
From time to time, this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).
Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of Australia.
Privacy Policy
This privacy policy sets out how we use information and protects any information that you give us when you use this website.
We are committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.
We may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes.
What we collect
We may collect the following information:
name and job title
contact information including email address
demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers
What do we do with the information we gather?
We require this infomation to understand your needs and provide you with a better service and in particular for the following reasons:
internal record keeping
we may use the information to improve our products and services
we may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided.
from time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone, fax or mail. We may use the information to customise the website according to your interests.
Security
We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
How we use cookies
A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer's hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.
We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about webpage traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system. Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us. You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.
Links to other websites
Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.
Controlling your personal information
You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:
We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.
If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.
whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposes
if you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us.
