When We Choose Plastic

We chose a recycled plastic sleeve for our transit packaging. Wait, what? A brand that champions the dangers of synthetics opted for plastic?

Let us explain.

We needed a sleeve to protect our garments from potential water/moisture damage during transit. Because this sleeve’s purpose is limited to the journey from production to delivery, we wanted something that could be reused, recycled, or disposed of responsibly.

We thought about the options: Paper? No, it wouldn’t protect against moisture. Plastic? No, we are trying to avoid plastic! 

I saw a compostable sleeve with an order I made from another brand and ding-ding-ding - done! This is what we were going to use! Wasn’t it?

A quick conversation with our Sustainability advisor / guru and we got our answer. 

No. 

Hard no. 

But it’s so cool! And sounds sustainable! Why not!?!?

She clarified that most compostable solutions available today are only industrially compostable. This means they require specific conditions to break down - conditions that aren’t typically found in a home environment. Most people don’t know this - I didn’t! 

I had recycled my compostable packaging right along with my regular plastics which I now learned is the one thing I shouldn't have done because it can contaminate the recycling stream. 

Oops. 

While there are some innovative home-compostable options available, which is amazing, you still can only compost it at home if you have a compost bin that meets the necessary conditions. We decided to avoid these solutions until they become more commonly available for home use. 

(Another thing we learned that we want to share - what is the difference between biodegradable and compostable? The main difference between "compostable" and "biodegradable" is how they break down. Compostable materials are designed to decompose in a compost pile within months, leaving no harmful leftovers and helping the soil. They need specific conditions like heat, moisture, and microbes and can be certified processes. Biodegradable items can break down naturally over time, but there's no fixed time or conditions, and some can take years. Not all biodegradable things are eco-friendly if they turn into harmful substances or release microplastics. Overall, compostable items break down faster and more safely, making them a better choice for the environment.) 

So, why did we ultimately choose recycled plastic?

• Effective Protection: It serves as a reliable barrier against moisture which is what we needed.
• Sustainable Source: We opted for recycled plastic to minimize our environmental impact.

• Recyclability: It can be easily recycled into new plastic products in the comfort of one’s own home. 

This last point is the main point for us - the plastic recycling "loop" for this type of plastic is pretty advanced and commercialized. So, if these bags are put in the "recycling" at just about any municipality, they will be able to be recycled. There is a whole Pandora's box of different types of plastic and of different municipalities having different recycling capabilities, and we know that plastic recycling rates in the US aren’t where they need to be, but these basic recycled plastic bags have the best shot at being recycled within the existing system. So this is why we chose them. 

By making this choice, we're balancing the immediate need for protection with our commitment to sustainability. While we are still on the journey toward reducing our reliance on plastics, we believe this decision is a responsible step in the right direction. And, like we always mention, when it comes to sustainability, all decisions are nuanced and have positives and negatives that must be weighed depending on the situation. In this case, the plastic bag came out on top of the choice matrix but as packaging materials, recycling capabilities, and logistics solutions continue to evolve, plastic likely won't be the preference for much longer. And we will be ready to pivot when the time comes.