Green Design: Sustainable Packaging - Material Alternatives

There are several sustainable packaging materials that can replace plastic in a number of applications, these would be ideal for liquid packaging ( paint containers ).

Some of these are..

Polylactide Acid (PLA) Plastics
Bagasse (Sugar Cane Pulp)
Palm Fiber
Biomass Fiber Composite - AgroResin
Reed Fiber - a Japanese Innovation
PlasTerra - Biodegradable Plastic

Polylactide Acid (PLA) Plastics

PLA is a transparent plastic made from natural resources (such as cornstarch). It can be processed as easily as petroleum-based plastics,and can run on the same equipment.

Use in Packaging - Thermoformed trays

Drawbacks - It looks like ordinary plastic and if mixed with recyclables, it can cause contamination, rendering the recyclable plastic unusable. It can also be brittle at low temperatures

Bagasse (Sugar Cane Pulp)

Bagasse is a fibrous material. When sugar cane is crushed to extract its juice, what remains is bagasse. It can be used to replace materials such as Styrofoam.

Use in Packaging - insulated disposable food containers

Drawbacks - Bagasse is only produced for six months of the year, so while it has many advantages it cannot produced all year round.

Palm Fiber

Palm fiber is the leftover material after the palm fruit is harvested for oil. This material is similar to bagasse.

Use in Packaging - packaging such as molded tray

Drawbacks - not very durable

Biomass Fiber Composite - AgroResin

AgroResin is a renewable and compostable material made from agricultural biomass. It has a natural appearance, similar to palm fiber packaging. AgroResin is 100 percent biodegradable, water-resistant, compostable and made from non-GM agricultural biomass.

Use in Packaging - packaging such as molded tray

Drawbacks -

Reed Fiber - a Japanese Innovation

This material is from Japan and is made from 100% reed fiber, it can be composted and return to a crop-soil-cycle.It's grown on the shore or riverbanks so it doesn't compete for acreage with food
crops.

PlasTerra - Biodegradable Plastic

PlasTerra™ is a biodegradable and compostable plastic made using a blend of various commercially available bioresins. Includes starch, PLA, and other fillers.

Paper Foam
PaperFoam is one of the most environmental friendly packaging materials available. It is made via a patented injection molding process. PaperFoam is made completely from natural resources and is a compostable product. It can be used in a wide variety of industries where a high quality packaging is needed.