What plastic is best?

What is the difference between Degradable Plastics and Biodegradable Plastics?

Degradable Plastic is an oil based plastic containing a chemical additive that undergoes significant change in its chemical structure causing large polymer molecules to break down into smaller molecules or particles.

Biodegradable Plastic is a degradable plastic in which the degradation results from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and/or algae.

There are two primary differences between ‘degradable’ and ‘biodegradable’. Firstly, heat, moisture and/or UV exposure most often causes the degradation of a degradable product, whereas microorgganisms degrade a biodegradable product. Secondly, degradable products tend to take much longer to break down into carbon dioxide, biomass and water.

When degradable plastics break down into smaller molecules, eventually they will be small enough to be consumed by microorganisms and so biodegradation occurs. In essence then, all degradable films will eventually biodegrade but at different speeds.

What are my options for Polythene Film?

There are mainly two options available to make normal Polythene into Biodegradable film and these are as detailed below:

Starch based or Biobased (Hydrodegradable)

It is made from corn (maize), potatoes or wheat. This form of biodegradable films meets the ASTM standard (American Standard for Testing materials) and European norm EN13432 for compostability as it degrades at least 60% within 180 days or less.

These materials predominantly require an active microbial environment such as municipal compost before they will degrade. The heat, moisture and aeration one gets in a compost pile are vital to this type of biodegradable film working well.

Pros:

Degradable & Compostable

Normally No fossil fuel or very little fossil fuel (some grades have a % mixed with traditional polymer)
Faster degradation

Summary 

From the research above, it may be suggested that biodegradable polythene would be the best material to use. Although it does not maintain the same strength as some more harmful plastics, it does promote an environmentally conscious material, in which does not have damaging effects to the environment. As Herbivore botanicals is an organic, vegan company considerations as such are essential, as a harmful material would not truly represent the brand.