KintsugiCo Sustainable Packaging UK
KintsugiCo are a UK based sustainable packaging brand, whilst we ship worldwide, this guide is written from the UK, and tailored to help you responsibly dispose of our products within the UK infrastructure. Disposal practices will vary from country to country.
You will see icons used on the website, to assist you in making responsible choices for disposing of our products and selecting the right packaging solutions for your specific requirements.
This page is being updated frequently.
Last update: 21 May 2024
Clear Biodegradable Display Bags
![C7 Biodegradable Cello Bags 85mm x 115mm [3.3 x 4.5 inches]](https://kintsugico.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/gbio-c7-300x300.jpg)
Clear Biodegradable Display Bags
KintsugiCo clear biodegradable bags, are listed on this website with the biodegradable + compostable icons.
Manufactured from Nativia, these are compliant with the with European EN 13432 standard, certified OKBiobased. So degrade in 6 months in industrial composting. Independent testing has shown that the bags break down in around 12 months ++ in the UK (dependent on location), in a home composting system.
Home compostable products must carry the OK Compost Home accreditation. To meet the OK compost Home requirement, they must degrade in a home compost system inside the allocated 6 months.
Nativia is food grade, vegan friendly and complies with EU and FDA regulations for food contact. Crop changes mean they will also be GMO free in the near future.
Disposal of PLA Biofilms and Bioplastics in the UK
Biofilms are not and should not be recycled in the UK.
Nativia biofilm is designed to be disposed of in an industrial composting facility, however these are not widely accessible in the UK, in low volume you can compost in your own home composting systems, previously councils were accepting bioplastics in blue food waste caddies.
Many councils are now explicitly refusing biofilm products in garden and blue food waste bins, we no longer feel that this is a viable option to recommend to customers for disposal of their biofilm. Some councils do accept compostable bags with the seedling logo (AS4736 certification). Please see the UK site Recycle Now for futher information on compostable PLAs, biofilms or bioplastics.
In our opinion, general waste bins are the only viable option in the UK to dispose of clear biodegradable bags, in landfill they will eventually break down to CO2 and water in much the same way as they would in a compost heap.
Biofilms are not and should not be recycled in the UK. PLAs are not made up of traditional petrochemicals, to recycle biofilms, much lower temperatures are required.
Disposal of Compostable Plastics In The UK: https://www.recyclenow.com/recycle-an-item/compostable-plastics
OK Compost Home accreditation: https://en.tuv.at/ok-compost-home-en/
EN13432 accreditation: https://www.tuvsud.com/en/industries/consumer-products-and-retail/biodegradable-packaging-certification
Bioplastics: https://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/bp/EUBP_BP_En_13432.pdf
Glassine Bags
Understanding Sustainable Packaging in the UK: Biodegradable, Compostable, Recyclable – Know the Difference
Biodegradable: A brief definition
A term often used broadly to describe products that break down naturally over time. Here in the UK when we think of biodegradable product packaging, we assume that it will break down in a compost bin, or food waste bin, and “disappear” leaving no trace, in a certain amount of time.
Biodegradable Myth 1: There’s a misconception that all biodegradable materials are harmless. In reality, traditional plastics, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride), technically biodegrade, just not that easily. Instead, breaking down into smaller pieces over a long period of time, eventually forming microplastics.
Biodegradable Myth 2: Biodegradable is also compostable
Compostable: A brief definition
Often used to describe materials that can break down in composting conditions. Here in the UK, when we think about compostable packaging solutions, we think of
Many biofilms are labeled as compostable, but there are various certifications and standards for compostability. Some compostable materials require specific industrial composting facilities to break down effectively, while others may break down in home composting systems. It’s crucial to look for certifications like the ASTM D6400 or EN 13432 to ensure that a product is truly compostable and will break down into non-toxic components without leaving harmful residues.