When it comes to choosing the right packaging for your business, the options can feel overwhelming. Terms like sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same.
Understanding what each term means in relation to packaging can help you make more informed, environmentally responsible choices.
In this article, we’ll break down:
The good news? With HexcelPack®, you don’t have to choose. Our products are thoughtfully designed to be sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable, so your business can do what’s right for the planet and your customers.
Some packaging materials break down naturally over time, while others can be processed and reused. Biodegradable and recyclable packaging each offer unique benefits, and when materials are both, like HexcelPack’s paper-based packaging solutions, it’s even better for the environment.
Biodegradable packaging is made from materials that decompose naturally through the action of microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi. Over time, these materials break down into water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter.
That sounds great, right? It can be, but the term biodegradable doesn’t always guarantee a quick or clean breakdown. Without the right conditions (like heat, oxygen, and moisture), some so-called biodegradable materials can take years to decompose, and may still leave behind microplastics or chemical residues.
Recyclable packaging, on the other hand, is meant to be collected, reprocessed, and reused. Materials like paper, cardboard, and glass can be recycled multiple times. Recyclable packaging helps reduce waste by keeping materials in circulation and lessening the demand for virgin resources.
HexcelPack products, including HexcelWrap® to HexaFil™, HexcelStretch™, and Hexcel’Ope™, are made from Kraft paper that is 100% curbside recyclable and biodegradable.
Whether your customers recycle it or it ends up in the environment, HexcelPack packaging is built to leave a lighter footprint.
Recycling is the process of converting used materials into new products. This reduces the need for virgin materials and conserves natural resources. For example, used paper is broken down into pulp and reformed into new paper or cardboard. That cycle can repeat several times before the paper fibers degrade beyond use.
Glass and aluminum can be recycled indefinitely without loss of quality. Paper can also be recycled multiple times, though it eventually breaks down into shorter fibers. Even so, paper packaging, like HexcelPack's, is one of the easiest materials to recycle.
Plastic, however, is more limited. Many plastic items are downcycled into lower-grade products like outdoor furniture or rugs. While this extends the plastic’s life, it doesn’t eliminate eventual waste or the environmental concerns associated with plastic pollution.
Not all recyclable materials are accepted in household recycling bins. For example, plastic cushioning wrap, air pillows, and grocery bags might be labeled as recyclable, but most curbside programs won’t process them. These materials often require special drop-off points or go straight to the landfill despite consumers' best intentions.
This disconnect has led to confusion and frustration. Many consumers want to do the right thing, but unclear or misleading labels make it difficult. That’s why states like California and Washington are pushing for tighter regulations on what can be marketed as “recyclable.”
At HexcelPack, our paper-based products are truly curbside recyclable, making it easier for your business and customers to reduce waste without second-guessing the disposal process.
Sustainable packaging isn’t just about what happens after it’s used, it’s about the entire lifecycle, including how it’s sourced, manufactured, transported, and disposed of.
For packaging to be considered truly sustainable, it should:
Now that you know what these terms mean, here’s a quick summary to highlight the key differences between sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable packaging.
| Term | What it Means | Pros | Cons | Best Use |
| Biodegradable | Breaks down naturally over time. | Can reduce long-term waste if not recycled. | No standard breakdown time; may leave residue. | When recycling isn’t available or likely. |
| Recyclable | Can be collected, processed, and made into new materials. | Keeps materials in use; supports circular economy. | Not all recyclable items are accepted curbside. | Ideal when accessible curbside recycling exists. |
| Sustainable | Designed with minimal environmental impact throughout the life cycle. | Considers sourcing, production, and disposal. | Not always clearly defined. | Best for long-term environmental goals. |
Whether you're shipping consumer goods, protecting fragile items, or streamlining warehouse operations, HexcelPack makes it easy to choose packaging that aligns with your environmental goals.
All of our products are:
From HexcelWrap to HexaFil, HexcelStretch, and Hexcel’Ope, our line of paper-based packaging gives you the flexibility to protect your products and the planet. For more information about our materials, contact us today.