Eco friendly materials we should all be aware of!
In this blog, we take a closer look into the future of packaging and materials that are supplying a growing demand for sustainable and eco friendly products on a global scale. Some of these innovative processes have been around for a long time, utilised by local communities where the natural products are endemic. Since the world woke up to the reality of plastic waste, the unsustainable use of natural resources, and fast fashion, a growing green revolution has followed. We’re proud to play our part in this, with our own solution - Greenwood. But first, let’s hone in on a few market favourites.
Bamboo
Bamboo is stronger than steel – the question is – is it the strongest alternative in the eco-sustainable world? Bamboo can be a very sustainable crop: a fast-growing grass, it requires no fertiliser and self-regenerates from its own roots, so it doesn't need to be replanted. It has the ability to absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen which an obvious asset. When compared to cotton (or other crop) cultivation - many of which require large amounts of water, pesticides, and labour -the advantages are pretty clear. It can be used as a replacement for light woods and plastics, as a building or construction material, kitchenware and even as a clothing fibre. But is bamboo sustainable in all ways? Even when shipped over from China and mass-produced?
There are important questions to consider:
Where is the item coming from, and how is it being shipped from the source location?
What processing is required to make the product? Consider the energy and water consumed during the process.
Have any nasty chemicals been used in the production of the product?
Have other additives been used that negate the benefits of using bamboo as a raw ingredient?
One thing that is known about bamboo fabric, in particular, is that its production process, is largely unsustainable – with heavy water usage and chemical additives used in the process.
MUSHROOMS
Another cheap, eco-friendly packaging alternative that can be used to support smaller items is, believe it or not, made from mushrooms. It uses cleaned and ground agricultural waste, which is then fused together by a matrix of mushroom roots, otherwise known as mycelium.
Agricultural waste is exactly that — waste — and therefore could not be used as a food source for humans or animals. It consequently avoids the possible controversy linked to cornstarch packaging. The raw material can then be moulded into whichever shape is desired, dried, and used as packaging. Not only does this material avoid petroleum and food sources for its raw material, but it also biodegrades at an incredible rate. Mushroom packaging can be composted at home, breaking down into non-toxic, organic matter.
BIODEGRADABLE AIR PEANUTS
Packing peanuts are a cushioning material to prevent damage from fragile objects during transportation. According to heritagepaper.net/pros-and-cons-of-biodegradable-packing-peanuts/ the pro’s are that ‘Biodegradable packing peanuts are made from natural, nontoxic sources, such as wheat and corn starch. They dissolve in water and can be thrown into compost piles after a single use.’
Cons: Biodegradable starch-based packing have a higher weight than traditional packing peanuts which means the eco-friendly version increases shipping costs. The production also has higher costs than traditional packing peanuts, and in a challenging economy, many consumers and suppliers will often choose reduced costs over greener, more expensive alternatives. Many recycling programs accept Styrofoam packing peanuts, which are recycled and colour-coded to indicate material origins. Green peanuts are made from at least 70% recycled materials.
CORNSTARCH
Cornstarch is an organic material that has made in-roads into the eco-friendly packaging industry. Derived from the corn or maize plant, it has plastic-like properties, which can be used in many contexts that have traditionally relied upon plastics. From bottles to moulded forms and loose-fill packaging, cornstarch packaging adds many additional uses to this very American crop.
While a more environmentally sustainable alternative to petroleum-based packaging, cornstarch is not without its problems. As it is derived from the grains of corn, it effectively competes with the human and animal food supply, possibly raising the price of one of our dietary staples.It’s best weigh both the pros and cons of this option when considering it for packaging needs.
SEAWEED PACKAGING
From corn to mushrooms to seaweed, the gelatinous substance agar, which is found in a variety of seaweeds and algae, is already used in several applications. This is the case especially in the food industry, where it can be utilized as a thickener or a vegetarian alternative to gelatin.
But now a team of designers has won a design award for prototyping its use as a packaging material. Being made from a plentiful and sustainable raw material, seaweed packaging could be the next big thing in eco-friendly packaging alternatives.
ORGANIC FABRICS
Plastic bags have been a staple in impacting the environment. A large percentage of businesses use plastic bags which end up polluting the environment. An eco-friendly alternative is organic fabrics for reusable bags. There are a bunch of different organic fabrics on the market now including hemp, organic or recycled cotton, tapioca, palm leaves, and many more. All of these materials even if throw out can biodegrade in around 100 days compared to the 10,000 years it takes for a plastic bag to biodegrade. There are also many other uses for these fabrics besides bags if you can get creative.
Did you know there’s a solution for furniture/interior design and your garden too?
Greenwood
All of our products at Dunia Designs are made using a material called Greenwood. It created completely from low-grade plastic waste, that is often not used for recycling and is left to pollute our environment. Waste plastic is collected from the streets, oceans, and rivers - bags, bottles, and more, by our collectors who are paid per kilo of plastic. It is then cleaned and shredded before being put into an extrusion machine which compresses and heats the waste to form a greenwood plank. These planks are then used by our carpenters as a wood substitute to create beautiful furnishing pieces.
