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BDP: The Wonder Ingredient Changing Plastic for Good
Change Plastic For Good Logo by BDP, showcasing a commitment to ecological responsibility.

BDP: The Wonder Ingredient Changing Plastic for Good

“Sustainable” and “plastic” are two words that you rarely see in the same sentence. And unless you recycle or reuse it, plastic packaging receives a bad rap due to its stubborn permanence in Earth’s eco-system. That may be changing, however, thanks to the brilliant work of a non-profit group called Change Plastic for Good who is on a mission to do just that: change not just the way we view plastic, but use plastic…for good.

Retailers, restaurants and e-commerce companies all face the same challenge when it comes to packaging: deciding what is best for performance, presentation, logistics, lead time, overall cost and (increasingly) sustainability. Paper has become the more sustainable choice, as it can be recycled, reused, and takes only a few years to break down in our landfills. It is, however, more expensive and less durable than plastic, and results in deforestation. For these reasons, plastic continues to appeal to so many companies looking for affordable, durable packaging. But plastic is far from perfect. While it can be recycled and reused, it lives forever in our landfills and, worse, our oceans, wreaking havoc on wildlife and our precious ecosystem.

No longer do you have to choose between cost and presentation. Between really effective packaging and sustainable packaging. Change Plastic for Good has figured out a way to literally change our plastics so that they can break down in our landfills and our oceans in a matter of years, rather than in centuries. And it’s not just that these plastics break down, but that they break down into organic, usable, safe compounds. The magic, the secret, is BDP®.

What is BDP®?

BDP® biotechnology is a polymer made from organic nutrients and compounds that act as food sources for microbes in nature. When plastic (or other materials) containing BDP® enters a landfill, BDP attracts microbes to the surface of the plastic. Once the microbes arrive, the magic begins, and the microbes begin to digest the plastic. After the microbes have done their job, they leave behind compost and biogas. No micro-plastics, no contaminants that would otherwise leach into the soil or water.

Will adding BDP® change the manufacturing process or affect the quality of my packaging?

No! How exciting is that? BDP® looks very similar to resin pellets and is added to these pellets when plastic is extruded at the factory. It does not affect the machinery, nor does it require any new machinery. Additionally, adding BDP® to plastic will not affect the performance, quality or look of the product, even for lighter products such as poly mailers and plastic shopping bags. The only factor to consider is cost: BDP® can add approximately 15-20% to the cost of a plastic bag. Comparatively, this is still significantly less than the cost of a paper bag.

Why should I use BDP® in my packaging?

Consumers today have become educated on the gravity of our enormous waste problem, and many are choosing to support products and brands that align with this movement, that supports eco-friendly packaging concepts and manufacturing decisions. Choosing BDP® demonstrates that you are making conscious decisions to better our Earth.

Your customers will recognize this choice by the BDP® butterfly symbol you can include on your sustainable packaging or product.

For more information on how you can incorporate BDP® into your plastic shopping bags, poly mailers and other goods to create a more sustainable packaging program, please reach out to us.