• Resources

Understanding what biopolymers are on the market, what questions to ask when sourcing materials, and making sense of the complex use cases of biopolymers.

• Introduction
• Our Conclusion and Approach
• Overview of Bio Polymers
• Our Research Papers and Perspectives
• In-Depth Data
• Bioplastics Video Recap

At EcoEnclose, we're on a mission to develop truly sustainable packaging solutions for forward-thinking brands. Our vision rests on two key pillars: enhancing material circularity and pioneering the use of regenerative raw materials throughout our supply chain. We understand that achieving our regenerative materials vision requires introducing bio-based alternatives to fossil fuels.

However, "bioplastics" and "bio-derived inputs" are complex categories. Some bioplastics still rely on fossil fuels despite being biodegradable, while others come from renewable sources whose production methods may actually harm the environment. This complexity demands a thorough evaluation process and clear decision-making framework as we determine which bio innovations align with our sustainability goals and which don't.

Our Bio-Plastics Hub serves as a comprehensive resource for our team, EcoAllies, and curious individuals to understand the bio-alternative landscape and make informed choices about which paths to pursue.

The following is a list of questions we ask ourselves about bio-derived alternatives to plastic. These questions help create a larger framework for assessing materials. Our recent blog post, How EcoEnclose Evaluates Novel Materials provides more in-depth information on how we approach this research and assessment.

Our vision of an ideal bioplastic is one whose production actively regenerates our planet—restoring soils, sequestering carbon, cleaning water, and supporting communities—while being infinitely recyclable into new packaging. We readily acknowledge that no current bioplastic fully achieves this ambitious standard.

At EcoEnclose, we emphasize progress over perfection. We embrace innovations that move our industry closer to this ultimate vision, even if they don't completely fulfill it yet. When evaluating bioplastics, we consider several critical factors outlined below.

We often find that recycled content outperforms many available bioplastic options from a sustainability perspective. However, we recognize that remaining in a cycle of recycling fossil fuel-derived plastics isn't a long-term solution. EcoEnclose must play an active role in accelerating the adoption of promising alternative materials.

We carefully assess each material using our framework, making deliberate decisions about which innovations to commercialize and which to postpone until their environmental profiles improve. Our approach balances immediate environmental impact with the long-term transformation our industry requires.

Explore our in-depth library of research and resources on bio-plastics, novel materials, and composting.

We highlight the market’s emerging and most common bioplastics. This chart provides an overview of each type of bioplastic, its typical applications and functions, feedstocks, and its designed disposal method.

EcoEnclose recognizes the need for renewable virgin inputs that contribute to environmental restoration. To uphold our vision of a circular packaging future, EcoEnclose has conducted extensive research on packaging inputs, including established options with solid impact data and more nascent options like organic waste and seaweed.

We detail what happens if a biopolymer is disposed of in various environments. Of course, it is easy to say that a specific biopolymer is “compostable” or “recyclable.” But to truly get at the “deep” questions that drive why brands are interested in bioplastics, it is critical to explore how materials will behave in all end-of-life situations.