Eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging – what are they?

added: 04-01-2026

Eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging – what are they? What types are there?

Today, we can see the impact of ecology in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. It is particularly noticeable in companies in the food production industry. They are increasingly turning to eco-friendly packaging when delivering their products. If you want to better understand what biodegradable packaging is, the following article provides a detailed discussion of the topic.

What does it mean for packaging to be biodegradable?

The terms "eco-friendly" and "biodegradable" are often used interchangeably on websites. In fact, they are treated as synonyms when it comes to packaging. It is therefore worth explaining what biodegradability is.

Biodegradable packaging is packaging that can be recycled. More specifically, it decomposes under the influence of natural factors. These factors include fungi, yeasts and bacteria. In the case of eco-friendly packaging, it is important that its decomposition is not accompanied by the formation of harmful substances.

It is worth knowing that a separate field has even been created, known as eco-design. Its aim is to find solutions that enable the vision of a circular economy to be realised. One in which the emphasis is on reuse, repair and recycling.

Below are a few figures that confirm the importance of searching for ecological alternatives to plastic.

Approximately 44% of global plastic production is used for packaging, which highlights the urgent need for sustainable alternatives.
Environmentally friendly packaging is an opportunity to avoid fees — primarily the SUP fee, which we will discuss later in this text.

Examples of eco-friendly alternatives to traditional non-eco-friendly packaging

The market for eco-friendly products is growing rapidly. This trend is reflected in the search for new eco-friendly containers that are less harmful to the environment. Below are the ones most commonly used by packaging manufacturers.

Paper packaging — the first choice alternative

Paper pulp containers are becoming the ubiquitous standard in an increasing number of companies in the catering industry. They are 100% biodegradable and compostable. This means that after use, they can be easily recycled in an environmentally friendly way.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for plastic, which can take several hundred years to decompose. This difference is one of the reasons why pulp packaging is becoming increasingly popular.

Paper food containers are also versatile.

They are ideal for cold dishes — sushi companies often use this type of packaging (paper sushi boxes);
They can also be used as takeaway packaging for foods such as burgers and chips;

not only cold dishes, but also hot dishes. It is also worth mentioning that they are resistant to grease and moisture. These features make them ideal for businesses that deliver food.

Sugar cane

The second alternative, which is undoubtedly perceived as eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging, is sugar cane. By choosing sugar cane packaging, restaurants can significantly reduce their environmental impact.

Sugar cane is a renewable resource, and its cultivation involves less use of pesticides and fertilisers compared to traditional crops. This choice shows that the company cares about the environment, which can attract environmentally conscious customers.

Given the regulations being introduced by our country, every catering business should take an interest in sugarcane packaging.

Bamboo

Bamboo is also a biodegradable material. Using containers made from it also reduces the negative impact on the environment.

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth, reaching maturity in just 3 to 5 years. This rapid growth means that the plant can be harvested sustainably without depleting resources, unlike deciduous trees, which take decades to mature.

It is this characteristic that makes bamboo a highly renewable resource that catering companies can successfully use.

It is also worth considering eco-friendly cutlery

Not only is packaging recyclable, but many companies also produce biodegradable cutlery. The most common materials used to make it are wood, sugar cane and bamboo. These are exactly the same raw materials used to produce biodegradable eco-friendly packaging.

Why is it worth investing in eco-friendly packaging?

Apart from the environmental impact, entrepreneurs see real financial benefits in using eco-friendly containers. The main one is exemption from the SUP fee. This levy amounts to PLN 0.25 per food packaging item and PLN 0.2 per cup.

We believe that the economic aspect is an important argument that should encourage companies to look for eco-friendly food packaging. Especially since we can expect a further increase in fees for the use of disposable packaging, which is not considered environmentally friendly.