Biodegradable Packaging for Perth Food Businesses
, by Paul Slee, 7 min reading time
Switching to biodegradable packaging? Learn what certifications matter, how WA's plastic bans affect you, and how to choose the right eco options for your business.
More Perth food businesses are asking the same question: is it time to switch to biodegradable packaging? Maybe a customer mentioned it, maybe you've heard about WA's single-use plastic regulations, or maybe you're just tired of sending landfill-bound containers out with every order. Whatever brought you here, this guide cuts through the noise so you can make a practical, informed decision.
What "Biodegradable" Actually Means — and Why It's Not Enough on Its Own
The word biodegradable is widely used and loosely defined. Technically, almost everything biodegrades eventually — the question is how long it takes and under what conditions. A piece of conventional plastic will biodegrade, but it may take hundreds of years and break into microplastics along the way.
When you're sourcing packaging for a food business, the term you want to look for alongside biodegradable is compostable — and ideally, certified compostable. Two certifications worth knowing:
- AS 4736 — the Australian standard for industrial composting. Products certified to this standard will break down in a commercial composting facility within a defined timeframe.
- AS 5810 — the Australian standard for home composting. A higher bar, because conditions in a backyard compost are less controlled than an industrial facility.
If a product carries one of these certifications, you have independent verification that it performs as claimed. If it just says "biodegradable" with no certification, treat that with some scepticism. The packaging may still be a better choice than conventional plastic, but you're relying on the supplier's word rather than a tested standard.
WA's Single-Use Plastic Bans: What Food Businesses Need to Know
Western Australia has been progressively phasing out single-use plastics, and the rules affect food and hospitality businesses directly. Banned items have included things like plastic straws, cutlery, plates, and certain food containers — with staged rollouts covering more categories over time.
If you're still running conventional plastic items in categories that are now restricted, you're exposed to compliance risk. Switching to certified-compostable or fibre-based alternatives isn't just a sustainability gesture — for certain products, it's now a legal requirement.
The practical upside: the shift in regulation has pushed manufacturers to improve their eco alternatives significantly. Compostable containers, sugarcane (bagasse) trays, and kraft paper packaging have all improved in durability, heat resistance, and grease resistance over the last few years. You don't have to sacrifice function to stay compliant.
If you're unsure which specific items are affected, the WA Government's environment department publishes the current list of banned single-use plastics. It's worth checking directly rather than relying on secondhand summaries, since the rollout schedule has had multiple stages.
The Main Types of Biodegradable Packaging and When to Use Each
Not all eco packaging is the same material, and different formats suit different applications. Here's a working overview:
- Sugarcane (bagasse) containers — Made from the fibre left after sugarcane processing. Naturally grease- and moisture-resistant, handles heat well, and certified compostable. A strong choice for hot food, takeaway meals, and anything that needs to hold up in a bag. Commonly used for burger boxes, meal containers, and portion trays.
- PLA-lined paper cups and containers — Paper products lined with PLA (polylactic acid), a plant-based bioplastic, instead of conventional petroleum-based plastic. Compostable under industrial conditions. Common for cold and hot drinks, soup cups, and food containers where a moisture barrier is needed. Note: PLA requires an industrial composting facility to break down properly — it won't compost effectively in a home bin.
- Kraft paper bags and wraps — Unbleached paper products. Widely recyclable and biodegradable without any special facility. Good for dry goods, wrapping baked items, or carry bags. Lower barrier properties, so not suited for wet or greasy foods unless specifically treated.
- CPLA cutlery — Crystallised PLA, a stiffer bioplastic used for forks, knives, and spoons. A direct functional replacement for plastic cutlery, now required in many contexts under WA's bans. Certified compostable at industrial facilities.
- Wooden and bamboo items — Cutlery, skewers, and small containers made from fast-growing renewable timber. Biodegradable and home-compostable in most cases. Generally good for lighter use — not ideal for very wet or heavy dishes.
How to Choose the Right Biodegradable Packaging for Your Business
The sustainability credentials matter, but so does whether the packaging actually works for your product and workflow. Here's how to think through the decision:
- Match the material to the food. Hot, wet, or greasy food needs a container with appropriate heat and moisture resistance. Bagasse and PLA-lined products handle this better than uncoated kraft paper. Test before you commit to a large order.
- Check the certification. Ask your supplier whether the product carries AS 4736 or AS 5810 certification, or an equivalent international standard (such as EN 13432 in Europe). This protects you if you're making sustainability claims to customers or need to evidence compliance.
- Think about your customer's end disposal. If your customers are unlikely to have access to industrial composting, a home-compostable product (AS 5810) or a widely recyclable material like uncoated kraft may be more genuinely sustainable than an industrially-compostable container that ends up in general waste.
- Factor in volume and storage. Eco packaging can sometimes be bulkier or have shorter shelf life in storage than conventional plastics. If you're working out of a small kitchen or storage space, check the pack dimensions before ordering.
- Consider your brand presentation. Kraft and natural materials carry a visual cue that resonates with customers who care about sustainability. If that aligns with your brand, it's a legitimate business reason to choose it — not just a feel-good gesture.
- Don't over-engineer it. You don't need every item to be certified compostable to make a meaningful difference. Start with your highest-volume items — the containers and packaging you go through most — and replace those first. The impact will be proportionate to volume.
Common Questions Perth Food Businesses Ask About Eco Packaging
Is biodegradable packaging more expensive? Often, yes — though the gap has narrowed as demand has scaled up. Buying in bulk helps bring the per-unit cost down. Some businesses find they can offset higher packaging costs through reduced waste fees or by positioning their offering to customers who are willing to pay a small premium for sustainability-conscious choices.
Can I still use conventional plastic containers? For some formats, yes — WA's bans are specific to certain item types and expand in stages. For others, you're already required to use alternatives. Checking the current list on the WA Government website is the most reliable way to know where you stand.
What do I tell customers about compostable packaging? Be accurate. If your packaging is certified compostable at an industrial facility, say that — and if you can, point customers to a local composting drop-off if your area has one. Overclaiming (calling something compostable when it isn't certified, or implying it'll break down in any bin) can damage trust and potentially fall foul of consumer law around environmental claims.
Do compostable containers affect food safety? Certified-compostable food packaging is tested for food contact safety as part of the certification process. If you're purchasing certified products from a reputable supplier, this shouldn't be a concern. As with any packaging, check that the product is rated for the intended use — temperature range, food type, and so on.
Browse Value Pack Perth's Range of Eco Packaging
Value Pack Perth supplies a range of biodegradable and compostable packaging options to food businesses across Perth — from sugarcane containers and kraft paper bags to compostable cutlery and lined paper cups. Whether you're updating your range to meet WA's single-use plastic requirements or making a broader shift to sustainable packaging, the goal is to find options that work for your food, your workflow, and your budget.
Browse the eco packaging range at valuepackperth.com.au or get in touch if you want help working out which products suit your specific setup.