Biodegradable polythene bags and film

What does biodegradable mean for polythene packaging?

Biodegradable polythene is made with grades that allow the material to break down through biological activity at the end of its life, instead of staying intact in the environment for decades. It is not the same as recycled polythene, which is manufactured from reprocessed plastic waste but behaves like conventional film while it is in use.

Biodegradable and compostable are also different words, and buyers are often asked for one when they mean the other. Compostable packaging is intended to break down under specific composting conditions, and customers who require that usually have to evidence it with documentation. Tell us at enquiry stage which end of life route you need and what proof your customer expects, and we will confirm what we can manufacture.

How do I specify a biodegradable bag or film?

Specify a biodegradable bag or film the way you would specify any polythene item: lay-flat width, length, a gusset if you need one, gauge in microns, colour, and the seal or closure. We manufacture to a standard product, to a specific size or colour, printed to your artwork, or as a completely bespoke film.

Gauge is usually the decision that matters most. Too thin and the bag splits under load; too thick and you pay for material the job never needed. Send us the product weight, how it is handled and whether the bag is filled by hand or on a machine, and we will recommend a starting gauge and adjust it after a trial.

How are biodegradable products supplied and used on a line?

Biodegradable bags and film are supplied in the same formats as conventional polythene: flat packed in boxes or cases, on reels, on a perforated roll that tears off one bag at a time, or as tubing you cut and heat-seal to length yourself. Tell us how the packing station is set up and we will supply the format that suits it.

On the line, biodegradable grades are made to run like standard polythene, so operators do not have to change how they pack. Storage is the habit worth changing. Keep stock cool, dry and out of direct sunlight, rotate it so older material is used first, and order to a realistic usage rate rather than holding a large buffer for years.

What should I check before switching to biodegradable packaging?

Before switching to biodegradable packaging, check three things: what your customer or retailer actually requires in writing, what happens to the pack after use in the places you sell, and whether the pack still has to survive storage and transit first. A bag that fails in a warehouse has not helped anyone.

It is also worth pricing a recycled grade alongside a biodegradable one. Recycled polythene uses reprocessed material and is often the easier route where the pack is collected and recycled again. We can quote both from the same brief so you compare like for like before you commit to a specification.

Common applications for biodegradable products

• Horticulture, plant nurseries and garden centres
• Retail carrier, gift and garment bags
• Mail order and e-commerce despatch
• Agriculture and growing
• Events, festivals and hospitality waste
• Council and contract waste collection
• Promotional packs and product sampling
• Subscription boxes and direct to consumer brands

Questions

Biodegradable products FAQs

Is biodegradable polythene the same as compostable?

No. Biodegradable describes material designed to break down through biological activity over time, while compostable describes packaging intended to break down under specific composting conditions. Buyers who need compostable material are usually asked to evidence it with documentation. Tell us which one your customer is asking for and what proof they expect, and we will confirm what we can manufacture.

Will a biodegradable bag run on my existing packing machine?

In most cases yes, because biodegradable grades are extruded and converted much like conventional polythene and handle in a similar way on hand and machine packing. Sealing temperature and web tension sometimes need a small adjustment. Take a trial reel or a short first run so your operators can settle the machine before you commit to a full production quantity.

How should biodegradable polythene be stored?

Store biodegradable polythene cool, dry and out of direct sunlight, in its original packaging until it is needed. Heat, damp and UV age any polythene film fastest. Rotate stock so older material is used first, and order to a realistic usage rate rather than holding a large buffer for years.

Can biodegradable film be printed?

Yes. We print biodegradable bags and film to your artwork in the same way we print conventional polythene. Send the artwork, the number of colours and where the print needs to sit on the bag. We will confirm what is achievable on the size and gauge you have specified before the run goes ahead.