Degradable ≠ Completely Environmentally Friendly?

Understand the Top 5 Environmental Misunderstandings About Lunch Boxes at Once, And Choose the Right Biodegradable To-Go Containers to Avoid Pitfalls!

Eco-friendly to-go containers are chosen by more and more companies, but what are the environmental benefits of these lunch boxes? Understanding the essential meaning of "degradable" is the first step to wisely choosing biodegradable containers.

The Core Difference Between Degradable and Compostable

Biodegradable and compostable are two concepts that are often used interchangeably by people. But in fact, they are different. Biodegradable means that the material can be decomposed by natural microorganisms, but the decomposition speed and conditions are not fixed. Compostable means that, under specific conditions, generally speaking, it is completely degraded in an industrial composting environment within 90 days. PLA, CPLA, and PBS are common biodegradable to go containers, most of which require a high-temperature composting environment to degrade quickly. In comparison, paper food-to-go boxes are easier to degrade under composting conditions.

Misconceptions About the Carbon Footprint of Degradable Materials

Many companies ignore carbon emissions during the production and transportation stages when choosing biodegradable containers. Some eco-friendly to-go containers have a higher comprehensive carbon footprint than traditional plastics due to high production energy consumption. When choosing environmentally friendly lunch boxes, companies should consider the life cycle assessment (LCA) report. For example, choosing paper food-to-go boxes that are locally produced and transported over short distances can effectively reduce the carbon footprint and achieve environmental benefits.

Environmental protection is not the least of the topics. The following five misunderstandings will help you see the truth of the biodegradable to-go containers market and choose eco-friendly to-go containers scientifically.

Myth 1: As Long as It Says "Biodegradable, It Must Be Environmentally Friendly

Some biodegradable to-go containers in the industry only meet the minimum biodegradable standards, but they are accompanied by a long degradation cycle and harsh conditions, and more seriously, they may also produce microplastic pollution. The correct approach is to ask the manufacturer to issue a certification statement, such as BPI and OK Compost, to ensure that you buy truly eco-friendly to-go containers.

Myth 2: Paper Lunch Boxes Must Be Better Than Plastic?

Many people subconsciously believe that paper food-to-go boxes must be very environmentally friendly, but the common PE coating makes the paper boxes unable to be recycled or composted. Truly environmentally friendly paper food to go boxes generally use plastic-free oil-proof coatings or water-based coatings, and have compostable certification.

Myth 3: All Biodegradable Lunch Boxes Can Be Home Composted

Although biodegradable to-go containers made of PLA and CPLA can be degraded, they are only suitable for industrial composting and cannot be degraded in the home environment. Generally, those that can be home composted will be marked as "home compostable".

Myth 4: The Higher the Price, The More Environmentally Friendly?

Some biodegradable to-go containers are expensive, but they are not necessarily environmentally friendly, which may be due to customized processes, printing designs, etc. When companies choose to go containers, they should make a comprehensive assessment based on materials, certifications, and degradation performance, rather than blindly believing that "expensive = environmentally friendly".

Myth 5: Disposable Lunch Boxes Cannot Be Environmentally Friendly?

As long as they have internationally certified biodegradable to-go containers and compostable paper food to go boxes, disposable lunch boxes can also be environmentally friendly, not only by using renewable resources, but also by making environmentally friendly actions for the earth.

Disposable lunch boxes should be both practical and environmentally friendly. Choosing the right biodegradable to-go containers can achieve twice the result with half the effort. The following 3 key points for purchase will help you easily choose eco-friendly to-go containers.

Scenario Matching: How to Choose Materials for Dine-In, Take-Out, Refrigeration, And Heating

Different usage scenarios correspond to products with different needs. Generally speaking, compostable pulp lunch boxes are recommended for dine-in, oil-proof and waterproof PLA or paper box products are recommended for take-out, and lunch boxes made of hydrolysis-resistant CPLA are recommended for refrigeration; high-temperature resistant and biodegradable materials are required for microwave heating.

1. European Bioplastics. (2024). "Biodegradable vs Compostable Plastics: Understanding the Difference".
2. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2023). "The New Plastics Economy: Catalysing Action."
3. Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). (2024). "Certified Compostable Product Catalog".
4. TUV Austria. (2024). "OK Compost Certification Guidelines".
5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2023). "Sustainable Materials Management: Non-Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Hierarchy."