Aluminum

This common metal comes from mined bauxite. Frequently used for packaging, aluminum can be recycled endlessly without losing any quality. Despite the fact that it takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to extract and create its virgin counterpart, global economic forces reward the production of virgin aluminum. Source: World Wildlife Fund & The Dieline

Algae

Algae offers much potential in the way of sustainable production for things like food, biofuel, and paper/packaging. This renewable, mostly aquatic organism grows significantly faster than terrestrial plants and requires much less land.

Bagasse

Bagasse comes from sugar cane. More specifically, it’s the pulpy residue left after the juice is extracted. What’s considered biowaste can be used as a tree-free paper alternative and is, of course, compostable.

Bioplastic

Bioplastic refers to any biodegradable plastic made from plants or other biological materials. Common sources include corn and sugarcane, and the most common type of bioplastic presently is PLA (polylactic acids). Bioplastics are rather complicated when it comes to sustainability. For a better understanding, check out our Composting & Bioplastics article.

Cotton

Cotton is the most widespread, profitable non-food crop in the world. This versatile and ubiquitous fiber does pose environmental risks related to heavy pesticides usage, water consumption, and the conversion of natural habitats to agricultural uses. There are also significant environmental costs associated with the production of cotton fabric. Source: World Wildlife Fund

Glass

Glass is made from liquefied sand, soda ash, and limestone, and takes a significant amount of energy to manufacture from these raw materials. Fortunately, glass can be recycled endlessly without losing any quality.

Kenaf

Kenaf is a fast-growing tropical plant that yields a fiber similar to jute. The fiber can be used for paper and packaging, among many other uses.

Mycelium

Mycelium are essentially the roots of fungi or mushrooms. It has the ability to grow into a desired form and act like a living glue, making it a compelling source for new, sustainable packaging solutions.

Paper

The average piece of virgin printer paper can be recycled five to seven times. Beyond that, it can still be recycled into lower-grade, paper-based materials like egg cartons or packaging inserts. Paper is most often derived from trees, but alternative tree-free papers are available. Source: National Geographic

PHA

Polyhydroxyalkanoates, a plastic substitute derived from bacterial fermentation, is an increasingly popular bioplastic. It breaks down more quickly than PLA and biodegrades in waterways. Currently, PHA is more costly to produce than PLA, but that’s likely to change. Source: The Dieline

PLA

Polylactic acid, a plastic substitute made from fermented plant starch (often corn), is one of the most common bioplastics in the market. Bioplastics are rather complicated when it comes to sustainability. For a better understanding, check out our Composting & Bioplastics article.

Plastic

Plastic is derived from nonrenewable fossil fuels, primarily from crude oil and natural gas. Plastic’s global production has doubled about every decade since 1950, and yet only 14% of all plastic packaging is recycled after use. This leaves millions of tons of plastic to escape into the environment and pollute our oceans. Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation

PET Plastic

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, identified as #1, is widely used in consumer packaging, most commonly for beverage bottles and other single-use packaging. While it is recyclable, there’s a finite number of times it can be recycled, and virgin plastic is typically added each time to minimize degradation.

Seaweed

Seaweed is becoming a relatively popular raw material for the next evolution in bioplastics, as it demands less land and water when compared to corn and sugarcane.

Single-use Plastic

Single-use refers to plastics created and used for a single purpose before being tossed. This can include items like grocery bags, straws, packaging products, and more. Single-use plastic constitutes about 40% of all plastic waste. Source: National Geographic

SCOBY

SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) is a living culture that is key in the fermentation process of some beverages. While still in its early stages of development, SCOBY might prove to be a viable alternative source for future bioplastics.

Recycled Cotton

Recycled cotton is repurposed, post-industrial or post-consumer cotton fiber, typically considered waste. Cotton scraps from manufacturing tees, for example, can be collected and recycled to make fabric or paper.

ASTM D6400

This U.S. certification indicates which bioplastic products can be composted in municipal and industrial composting facilities. This is a must-have certification when sourcing for North America as it ensures the product or material will completely decompose in a specific time frame, leaving no harmful residues behind. Learn more here.

ASTM D6868

This U.S. certification is used for items made with a biodegradable plastic coating or film applied to paper (or other compostable substrate), indicating that the item can be composted in an industrial facility. An example of this might be a compostable to-go coffee cup, as it’s paper-based, but can be lined with a bioplastic film. Learn more here.

Biodegradable

Refers to a material’s ability to breakdown naturally with the help of microorganisms. The term “biodegradable” is often confused with “compostable.” Unlike compostable, the term biodegradable does not indicate anything concerning the speed of degradation (is it four months or four years?) nor the quality of nutrients it leaves behind. Certain biodegradable products can, in some cases, leave toxic waste behind.

Bioplastic

Refers to any biodegradable plastic made from plants or other biological materials. Common sources include corn and sugarcane, and the most common type of bioplastic presently is PLA (polylactic acids). Bioplastics are rather complicated when it comes to sustainability. For a better understanding, check out our Composting & Bioplastics article.

Compostable

Refers to a material’s ability to undergo biological degradation in a specific timeframe, ultimately resulting in a nutrient-rich matter. This can have a positive impact on the environment by improving and fertilizing soil. This process requires organic matter and proper levels of heat, water, and oxygen. The terms “compostable” and “biodegradable” are often confused. While all compostable material is biodegradable, not all biodegradable material is compostable. To ensure a product or material’s compostable claim is true, look for the certifications mentioned on this page.

Cradle to Cradle Certification (TM):

This global certification is used for a wide variety of products to indicate when sustainability standards are met concerning material health, material reuse, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness. Learn more here.

EN 13432

This European certification indicates which bioplastic products can be composted in municipal and industrial composting facilities. This is a must-have certification when sourcing for Europe as it ensures the product or material will completely decompose in a specific time frame, leaving no harmful residues behind.

FSC Certified

The Forest Stewardship Council certification indicates that a wood or wood-based product came from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Learn more here.

Home Compostable

Describes a product or material that will fully compost in an individual’s home system. Because home composting temperatures are typically lower, this certification communicates just how well a given item will break down.

Post-Consumer Waste (PCW)

Refers to waste that has completed its life in the market as a consumer item. Making use of PCW is considered to have a greater positive impact. There are long-established systems for repurposing post-industrial waste, whereas consumer waste is more likely to end up in landfills.

Post-Industrial Waste

Refers to waste generated from manufacturing that is never used in the consumer market (e.g. fabric cut-offs from making tees).

Recycled

Refers to an item or contents of an item that have been diverted from conventional disposal (e.g. landfills) for another use. This can refer to both post-industrial and post-consumer waste (PCW). The term “recycled” is used as a quality descriptor throughout this site to indicate a resource that comes primarily from post-industrial waste.

Renewable

Refers to materials that can be replenished at a rate which equals or exceeds their usage. When it comes to materials, crops like corn or hemp are considered renewable sources, whereas petroleum is a nonrenewable source.

Upcycled

Refers to a material that has been recycled in such a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item.