Sustainable Packaging for a Healthier Planet.

At iBio, we believe that protecting the planet is just as important as delivering great products. That’s why we use eco-friendly, plant-based materials to reduce waste and lower our environmental impact. By choosing sustainable packaging, we’re helping to create a cleaner, greener future—one product at a time.

Mechanical Recycling

Mechanical recycling involves collecting, sorting, cleaning, and reprocessing biopolymer waste into new products. This method is energy-efficient and maintains the polymer's properties. However, repeated recycling can lead to degradation, affecting material quality. For instance, polylactic acid (PLA), a common biopolymer, can be mechanically recycled, but its properties may diminish after multiple cycles.

Chemical Recycling

Chemical recycling breaks down polymer chains into their monomeric components through processes such as hydrolysis and enzymatic degradation. This approach allows for the recovery of high-purity monomers, which can be repolymerized into new biopolymers, maintaining material quality across multiple recycling cycles. For example, PLA can be depolymerized into lactic acid monomers, which are then repolymerized into new PLA.

Organic Recycling

Organic recycling, including composting and anaerobic digestion, leverages natural processes to recycle biopolymers. Biodegradable biopolymers, such as starch-based plastics and certain types of PLA, can be broken down by microorganisms under controlled conditions, resulting in compost that enriches the soil. This method is particularly effective for biopolymers designed for short-term use, such as packaging materials.

End-of-Life & Disposal Options

Understanding how to properly dispose of biopolymers is crucial for maximizing their environmental benefits. Unlike conventional plastics, which often end up in landfills or oceans, biopolymers like Ingeo offer multiple sustainable disposal options, including composting, recycling, and controlled incineration.

Composting: A Natural Return to the Earth

For biodegradable biopolymers, composting is one of the most eco-friendly disposal methods.

Industrial Composting: Many biopolymers, including Ingeo, break down efficiently in industrial composting facilities under controlled conditions. These facilities provide the necessary heat, moisture, and microbial activity to turn biopolymers into nutrient-rich compost within 90 days.
Home Composting: Some biopolymers are designed for home composting, although breakdown rates depend on temperature, moisture, and microbial diversity. Always check product labels for home-compostable certification.

Landfill & Controlled Incineration: The Last Resort

If composting or recycling isn’t available, responsible landfill disposal ensures minimal environmental harm. Many biopolymers do not generate microplastics like conventional plastics do.
Controlled incineration with energy recovery is another option, helping convert waste into usable energy while reducing overall waste volume.

How to Properly Dispose of Biopolymers?

Check Local Waste Regulations: Disposal options vary by location. Use certified composting facilities or specialized recycling programs whenever possible.
Look for Certification Labels: Labels like OK Compost, BPI, and EN 13432 indicate whether a product is industrially compostable.
Avoid Mixing with Conventional Plastics: If a product is compostable, do not place it in plastic recycling bins to prevent contamination.

By choosing responsible disposal methods, we can ensure that biopolymers contribute to a circular economy and help reduce environmental impact.

Explore our PLA products

PLA Preforms

The foundation of sustainable bottle production, our PLA preforms offer a compostable and renewable alternative to conventional plastic.

PLA Bottles

PLA Compound

A high-performance biopolymer blend, perfect for creating sustainable packaging, molded products, and innovative eco-friendly applications.

Lightweight, biodegradable, and designed for sustainability, our PLA bottles provide an environmentally responsible alternative for beverages and more.