Shipping has become the primary mode of sales in recent years, with small and large businesses alike selling more through online venues than in-store purchases. As such, plastic waste from plastic shipping bags has sharply increased, and individuals and businesses have begun switching to sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit biodegrade plastic bags.

Biodegradable materials are a great alternative to plastic bags, with a variety of options, from bags for individuals who only ship items occasionally to businesses that ship constantly. We&#;ve compiled a list of the top picks for biodegradable plastic bags for packaging to help you decide which one is right for you.

Read on to learn how we chose our top picks for biodegradable packaging bags, or jump to our recommendations.

Choosing the Best Alternatives

We kept several criteria in mind when scouring the market for the best biodegradable plastic bags for packaging. All of the options we&#;ve chosen are made with 100% compostable materials and are produced through ethical, sustainable practices.

Alternative Materials

As plastic fills landfills and waterways across the world with harmful, non-biodegradable residue, it&#;s important to switch to a bag that will minimize waste. All of our top picks are made with material that is biodegradable at home or in industrial composting facilities.

Our compostable choices include options that are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), meaning they will biodegrade in a commercial facility without leaving behind harmful residue. Some of these bags can even be composted at home!

We chose biodegradable plastic bags made of:

• PBAT &#; PBATs are oil-based plastics that fully break down in a matter of weeks without leaving behind harmful residues. Studies suggest that production processes of PBATs may reach negative net emissions by , but until then this material is not a perfect substitute for traditional plastics. PBATs are derived from synthetic oils, so their production emits greenhouse gases &#; though far less than traditional plastics. However, the polymers that hold this material together are broken down by naturally-occuring enzymes, meaning PBATs can fully decompose in most natural conditions.
• PLA plastic &#; This non-synthetic plastic is derived from plant matter like sugar cane or corn starch. The production process of this material is still fairly energy-intensive, requiring high amounts of water and land-use &#; as well as resulting in high amounts of GHG emissions &#; due to agricultural practices for corn and sugar cultivation. However, unlike other plastics, PLAs fully break down, making them an eco-friendly substitution for plastics that would otherwise fill landfills and waterways.

Price

Shipping is expensive enough as is, so our top choices take affordability into account to ensure you&#;re not overspending on shipping materials.

Social Responsibility

Reducing plastic waste is important, but so is social responsibility. That&#;s why our top choices ensure ethical practices in all steps of the supply chain.

Quality

Plastic bags have been a popular choice for shipping for decades due to their durability. When looking for biodegradable alternatives, it&#;s important that the material is sturdy enough to reach its destination in one piece.

Best Biodegradable Plastic Bags

Here are our top picks for biodegradable packaging bags, organized by material.

PBAT

1. KTOB
2. Kipulu

PLA

1. BeauVibe
2. Ecoasis
3. Better Packaging Co.

Top Picks

1. Most durable: Kipulu
2. Most affordable: Better Packaging Co.
3. Most variety: Better Packaging Co.
4. Best overall: Better Packaging Co.

PBAT

PBAT, also known as polybutylene adipate terephthalate, is a polymer that fully breaks down in about six weeks. It doesn&#;t require an industrial composting facility, so it will easily break down whether it&#;s placed in an at-home composter or if it makes its way into waterways, without leaving behind harmful residue.

• Material: PBAT and cornstarch
• Size: 6×9 inch, 10×13 inch, 12×15.5 inch
• Current price: $13.99 ($0.28 per bag)
• Get this product: Amazon

Source: Nurse Bex/Amazon

KBOT specializes in biodegradable shipping material and offer a variety of compostable mailers. These bags can break down in any natural conditions, meaning bags don&#;t have to be sent to industrial facilities for disposal.

We have noticed, though, that these bags aren&#;t as sturdy as some traditional heavy-duty plastic mailers. If you&#;re shipping something with sharp edges, the bags may get torn.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of biodegradable resin epoxy. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Pros:

• KTOB offers a subscription-based discount for retailers that ship regularly.
• Mailers come in a variety of sizes and colors, from sleek black to bright pink, to best fit your preferences.
• KTOB offers a variety of mailers, with padded and non-padded, wraps, and even biodegradable cups and straws!

Cons:

• Some customers complain that these bags are easily torn in transit.
• Most tapes don&#;t stick well to the materials, so torn bags may not be repairable.

• Material: PBAT and cornstarch
• Size: 6 x 10 inch, 8.5 x 12 inch
• Current price: $24.92 for 25 bags ($1.00 per bag)
• Get this product: Amazon

Source: Rena/Amazon

Kipulu bubble mailers are durable shipping bags that are made to be tear and puncture resistant. While Kipulu doesn&#;t have the same kind of variety as other biodegradable packaging bags, these are far more durable than most.

Pros:

• These bags are more durable than most other options.
• Bags have a shelf life of 12 months, comparatively longer than other biodegradable bags.
• Bags come in black, pink, red, and purple options.

Cons:

• Little variety in their bags, so if you regularly ship various products and sizes, this might not be the brand for you.
• Slightly more expensive than other options.

PLA

PLA, or polylactic acid, is a biodegradable plastic made from plant sugars and resins. PLAs will decompose in an industrial facility or an at-home composter, depending on the composition of the PLA material. PLA plastic&#;s decomposition results in no harmful chemical residues and its production results in 75% less greenhouse gas emissions than synthetic plastics.

• Material: PBAT and PLA
• Size: 10 x 13 inch
• Current price: $18.99 for 50 bags ($0.38 per bag)
• Get this product: Amazon

Source: Olive/Amazon

BeauVibe biodegradable mailers are fully compostable in any condition. Designed for lightweight, soft items, these bags may not be the sturdiest, but their double adhesion means they can be reinforced and reused. And, if you find that BeauVibe isn&#;t the right fit for you, they offer free returns.

Pros:

• BeauVibe partners with the Eden Reforestation Project, which plants a tree for every product sold, restoring forests and economically revitalizing communities impacted by deforestation.
• All BeauVibe bags come with double self-sealing adhesion, giving you the option to reinforce or reuse your biodegradable bags.

Cons:

• BeauVibe only offers mailers in one size.
• Bags are designed for non-fragile, soft items, as they may be prone to tears and punctures when shipping anything with sharp edges.
• Some customers complain that packaging labels don&#;t stick well to the material.

• Material: PBAT, PLA, and cornstarch
• Size: 6×9 inch, 10×13 inch
• Current price: $16.99 for 50 pags ($0.34 per bag)
• Get this product: Amazon

Source: Z/Amazon

Ecoasis poly bags are made from extra thick material for tear and puncture resistance. Their modern design sets them apart from other monochromatic biodegradable packaging bags, giving your packaging a unique look.

They only come in one size, but their extra-sturdy sealer and weather-proof material ensure your package will get to its destination in one piece.

Pros:

• These bags are thick but lightweight, making sure you save on shipping costs without having to worry about durability.
• Great for shipping books and sharp-edged items, which may puncture other biodegradable bags.

Cons:

• Only comes in one size and style.
• Its thickness means it doesn&#;t stretch well, so bulky items may not seal well.

• Material: PBAT, PLA, and cornstarch
• Size: 5.3 x 9.2 inch &#; 23.6 x 25.6 inch (and everything in between)
• Current price: $13.00 for 100 bags ($0.13 per bag)
• Get this product: Better Packaging Co.

Source: Better Packaging CO.

Better Packaging Co. (BPC) is a one-stop-shop for all your sustainable packaging needs. Offering a wide variety of boxes, bags, fillers, and even sustainable sealers, BPC has everything you need to transition to sustainable shipping. Their bags come in an array of materials, from recyclable plastics to reusable cloth bags to compostable bioplastics.

Their products expire after a few months, so be sure to use them quickly. But, if you&#;re looking for discounted items, they give away their expired products for free! Just be aware that the expired bag will be a bit more flimsy than normal.

Pros:

• BPC&#;s bags are clearly labeled, letting you know how to compost their products.
• Not sure where to send your bag for industrial composting? Better Packaging Co. has developed an app that helps you locate the nearest composting facility.
• BPC offers free expired bags that are less suitable for shipping, but still get the job done.
• Buy misprints or soon-to-expire bags at a lower cost.
• Their Pollast!c poly bags help clean up the oceans! While these bags aren&#;t biodegradable, they&#;re made out of recycled ocean plastic that help alleviate poverty and clean up the environment in coastal communities impacted by oceanic plastic.

Cons:

• Bags expire after about 2 months, so buying in bulk may not be practicable if you don&#;t plan on using all the bags in that time.

Top Picks

Still can&#;t make up your mind? Here are our top picks for a few different categories.

At $0.13 per bag, Better Packaging Co. is the cheapest there is, without sacrificing quality. You can get your biodegradable mailers in packages of 20, 100, or even , with discounts for bulk.

Better Packaging Co. is a one-stop-shop for all your packaging. Their products come in a variety of styles, sizes, patterns, and materials, and even offer customizations for your business.

Most Durable: Kipulu

One of the most important factors in a packaging bag is its ability to make it to its destination. Kipulu&#;s sturdy bubble mailers are built to last (while still biodegrading in a few months).

Better Packaging Co. gives you everything you need for your shipping. Offering a wide variety of packaging bags, labels, adhesives, and envelopes, everything in this store is 100% biodegradable. They even offer free expired bags and discounted misprint bags to make sure none of their products go to waste.

Their Pollast!c program takes oceanic waste and turns it into recycled plastic bags, and can be recycled in any soft plastic recycling bin.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website bulk compostable bags.