Bioplastics and biodegradable materials: the truth behind green labels

Labels like "biodegradable", "compostable", and "environmentally friendly" are increasingly appearing on packaging. Part of it is a genuine message. Part of it is greenwashing, sometimes unintentionally. This page helps you distinguish between the two cases before making material selection decisions.

Bioplastics and biodegradable materials what are they

Bioplastics are a category of packaging materials that are either bio-based, biodegradable, or both. In actual packaging production, the two most common types are PLA and PBAT.

PLA (polylactic acid) made from plant starch, rigid and clear, looks similar to PET plastic. PBAT is petroleum-based, flexible and elastic, with good oil and grease resistance, often blended with PLA or thermoplastic starch to create a softer, more durable film. These two types are usually combined in a formulation rather than standing alone.

The most commonly misunderstood point: not all biodegradable materials decompose, and not everything labeled "compostable" breaks down in a regular landfill. Only products meeting the EN 13432 (Europe) or ASTM D6400 (USA) standards can be considered compostable. These standards require materials to biodegrade at least 90% within 6 months and break down into pieces smaller than 2 mm after 3 months, under controlled temperature, moisture, and microbial conditions in industrial composting. Not home composting, not regular landfills.

An additional note about certification: this standard applies to specific materials and thicknesses of the final product, and does not automatically apply to all mixtures or configurations of the same type of plastic.

When to choose, when not to

The decision to choose biodegradable plastic should start from two questions: what level of barrier (moisture and gas protection) does your product need, and does the target market have industrial composting infrastructure?

A common observation by Sinh Vũ: brands choose PLA packaging because they want to be "green," but the product is sold in a market without industrial composting facilities. As a result, that packaging ends up in regular landfills, decomposing slowly like regular plastic, while end customers read the word "compostable" and think they are doing something good. This is misleading greenwashing, even if unintentional.

It is important to distinguish further: compostable (decomposable in composting conditions) is different from recyclable (can be recycled). These two concepts cannot replace each other and should not be confused on labels.

Costs, time and quantity

The cost of bioplastics is currently moderate to high compared to conventional petrochemical plastics. The difference arises from the smaller production scale of the materials and the supply chain not being as optimized as traditional plastics.

Regarding time: Sinh Vũ cannot provide a fixed timeline for biodegradable plastics because a mandatory step before commitment is testing real materials. The ability to block gas and moisture, ink adhesion, and heat resistance during processing all need to be tested with specific materials and suppliers, not just based on specifications on paper. This step may extend the timeline compared to standard materials.

Regarding minimum quantity: it depends on the type of packaging and the supplier of the film or material. Biodegradable films typically require higher order quantities than standard paper or plastic due to more limited supply.

Sinh Vũ takes on the role of creative director: designing structure, graphics, and print-ready files. Sinh Vũ does not commit to printing prices and is not a contact point for printing houses. Printing costs and materials are coordinated directly by you with the supplier and printer.

Biodegradable food contact packaging must also comply with QCVN 12-1:2011/BYT, Vietnam's food contact standards. PLA is among the materials listed in this standard, but each specific application still needs to be verified.

What does Sinh Vũ need from you to get started

For Sinh Vũ to advise and design suitable biodegradable packaging, you need to provide the following information.

• The number of SKUs (product codes) and a brief description of each product inside the packaging.
• Shelf life and storage requirements: temperature, humidity, exposure to grease or not.
• Sales market: domestic or export, and if export, to which market, as degradation standards vary by region.
• Do you have EN 13432 or ASTM D6400 certification from your material supplier, or are you still in the process of sourcing materials?
• The green message you want to convey: biodegradable, recyclable, plant-based, or a combination.
• The budget for design and the timeline require a complete file.

You send the above information through Sinh Vũ's contact form. Sinh Vũ will review and respond within two business days to confirm the material direction and appropriate design scope.