5 Biodegradable packaging materials to help you ditch plastic for good
Pretty much anything can be bought online and delivered to your door in days, or even hours. Ecommerce is all about access and convenience, with global sales growing 17% year-on-year from $1.34 trillion in 2014 to $6.33 trillion in 2024.
But as the ecommerce industry has grown, so has the use of non-biodegradable packaging. Plastic materials such as bubble wrap are now firmly connected to the ecommerce supply chain. We looked into the bubble wrap market as a whole, and the numbers are startling:
The global bubble wrap market was valued at almost $3 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to over $4 billion by 2031.
So much bubble wrap is produced every year that it can wrap around the Earth several times, with most plastic bubble wrap only used once in its lifecycle. About 91% of plastic packaging is left unrecycled, ending up in landfills, the ocean, or pockmarking local landscapes. Worse, producing plastic creates greenhouse gases (GHGs) throughout the production process, polluting the air and contributing to the global climate crisis.
Choosing biodegradable packaging materials is more than a sustainability decision — it’s a signal to your customers that your brand cares about the planet.
Why are biodegradable materials sustainable? In short, biodegradation is a fancy way of saying that bacteria in the soil transform the material into other useful compounds. Plastic, for example, does not biodegrade — it just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces.
Below, we’ll walk you through the best biodegradable packaging options so you can choose materials that align with your product, values, and customer expectations.
1. Wool
We’re a little biased, but wool is our favourite here. It is one of the oldest and most versatile materials used by humans.
Historically, wool has primarily been used to create clothing, but with the rise of synthetic fibres, the demand for wool has been in decline. At Woola, we use leftover wool that’s too coarse for the textiles industry and give it a life as protective packaging.
Instead of plastic bubble wrap, ecommerce brands use our wool packaging to ship fragile items. The material offers protection and a thoughtful, high-quality unboxing experience.
Wool packaging is reusable, recyclable, and repurposable — our customers have turned it into beds for their pets, shoe insoles, and even wardrobe fresheners.
Wool fibres are biodegradable because it is just keratin — the same protein our hair is made of.
So, even if our packaging ends up in a landfill (instead of being reused or composted), it will decompose in months. Even more, it nourishes the soil as it breaks down, releasing valuable nutrients during biodegradation.
2. Recycled paper or cardboard
Paper packaging, such as cardboard, is a classic for a reason. It’s sturdy, widely available, and widely accepted for recycling. Using cardboard that’s already been through one lifecycle reduces the demand for virgin wood pulp, helping preserve forests and limit resource use.
Cardboard and other paper packaging is biodegradable, as long as it’s monomaterial and does not have anything else, such as plastic tape or coatings on it,
When designed right, recycled paper and cardboard can be great for shipping heavier products or building structured outer layers around more elastic inner packaging like wool or mushroom.
As it’s such a versatile packaging material, it’s no surprise recycled paper packaging is the go-to choice of many retailers. However, its popularity is probably also its biggest downside, if you care about your packaging standing out.
While paper and cardboard can be customised with prints, every droplet of ink you add will make the material more difficult to recycle. Even more, custom color cardboard is often also covered with a coating that is neither biodegradable nor recyclable.
It’s simple, scalable, and highly compatible with custom branding — perfect for ecommerce brands that want sustainability without compromising on aesthetics.
3. Mushroom
Yes, fungi are now part of the packaging world. Mycelium — the root structure of mushrooms — can be grown into custom moulds that create protective, biodegradable cushioning.
Grown using agricultural waste as feedstock, mycelium packaging is fully biodegradable and breaks down in mere weeks.
It’s strong, shock-resistant, and fits well around oddly shaped products, making it a great replacement for polystyrene or foam inserts. Mushroom packaging is still in its growth phase, but it's an exciting frontier that proves nature has better ideas than plastic.
4. Seaweed
Seaweed-based packaging is gaining attention for its rapid renewability and ocean-positive impact. Seaweed grows fast, requires no fertilisers, and absorbs CO₂ as it matures, making it a regenerative raw material that replenishes the planet.
Seaweed films and foams are being developed into flexible wrappers and rigid containers. They’re especially promising for food and single-use items, but R&D is expanding toward ecommerce and protective applications. With no microplastics left behind and marine-safe properties, seaweed could be the answer for brands looking to ship light and leave no trace.
5. Banana plant fibres
Banana fibres are among the most recent additions to the biodegradable packaging universe. As the world’s most grown fruit (over 35 million tonnes produced annually), a steady supply of banana fibres isn’t a challenge.
Companies are pulping banana stalks to create various thicknesses of textiles for sustainable bags and food packaging that biodegrade at the end of their lifecycle. These packaging options are already commercially available.
While still in the early stages of commercialisation, studies are being done to produce sturdy banana peel fibre (BPF) packaging materials that won’t harm the environment when they biodegrade. By applying alkali and a bleaching agent to banana peels and using other techniques, fibres can be extracted and refined to create biodegradable packaging. These films extracted from banana peels can last between 15 and 20 days and biodegrade over half their weight within three weeks in relatively moist soil.
Sustainable packaging is about making choices that reflect your brand’s values and letting your customers feel them with every unboxing. Whether it’s wool that protects and “wows,” cardboard that’s been given a second life, or mushrooms that grow to fit, there’s better options than plastic for almost everything.
We recently discussed sustainable packaging options and other types that complement the list above (we gave wool some extra attention, too!).
Why should you choose biodegradable packaging?
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have but a necessity, and the packaging choices businesses make carry more weight than ever.
Whether you’re a growing ecommerce brand or a well-established retailer, how you package and ship your products says a lot about your values, and believe it or not, your customers are paying attention.
Plastic packaging is a long-term problem
Traditional plastic packaging, which is more than just bubble wrap, think mailers, and filler materials, is derived from fossil fuels and designed for single use. Once discarded, it takes hundreds of years to degrade.
Even when it does break down, it just turns into smaller and smaller pieces: microplastics that contaminate ecosystems and enter the food chain.
The global reliance on plastic packaging has contributed significantly to ocean pollution, landfills, and urban spaces.
Choosing biodegradable packaging is a way to directly reduce this impact and avoid adding to a waste stream that’s already overloaded.
What about “biodegradable plastic”?
Regular plastic is not biodegradable, as bacteria do not break it down. While you may occasionally hear about scientists that have found “plastic-eating bacteria,” none of them have been effective in practical applications.
Plastic does degrade over hundreds of years, but that means it just breaks down into smaller particles until they are too small to be seen. So, every molecule of plastic produced is still present in the environment.
Bioplastics, derived from plant-based materials such as corn, are often touted as biodegradable plastic. However, most bioplastics will not biodegrade in just any environment — they require industrial composting, a type of facility most people do not have access to.
And here’s where it gets murky. Labels like “compostable” or “biodegradable” can be misleading. A recent study found that many “home compostable” bioplastics don’t break down properly — 60% failed to disintegrate after six months.
On top of the confusion around composting, there are sustainability red flags tied to how these bioplastics are made. Many are produced from corn, a crop that often involves heavy pesticide use and large-scale, non-sustainable farming. Plus, only the corn kernels are used, with the rest typically discarded, raising questions about reasonable use of resources and long-term impact.
So while bioplastics may feel like a step in the right direction, it’s smart to dig a little deeper before buying in.
Truly biodegradable materials break down quickly
Unlike plastic, biodegradable packaging materials readily biodegrade in nature or landfills into harmless components like carbon dioxide, water, and organic matter. This means they don’t linger in the environment or release harmful by-products as they degrade.
Biodegradable packaging can be made from a wide range of sources such as paper, mycelium, seaweed, or agricultural by-products like wool or straw. They all share a shorter lifespan and a lower environmental burden once discarded.
It helps reduce landfill waste
Much of today’s packaging ends up in landfill, where it can take decades or centuries to break down. Biodegradable alternatives decompose quickly, within months if not weeks. So even if biodegradable packaging isn’t reused, recycled or composted correctly, it relieves pressure on waste management systems.
Customers expect sustainability and notice the details
Today’s consumers are increasingly conscious about sustainability. They want to support brands that care about the environment and scrutinise everything from product ingredients to delivery methods. Using biodegradable packaging sends a message that your business is acting responsibly.
Sustainable packaging also enhances the overall customer experience. A thoughtfully designed, low-impact package isn’t just practical; it’s part of your brand story. It shows that your commitment to sustainability is more than words — you actually put it into action.
Regulation is changing — future-proof your brand
Governments worldwide are introducing stricter regulations on single-use packaging and encouraging the use of recyclable, biodegradable and compostable materials. By adopting biodegradable packaging now, businesses can stay ahead of changing policies, avoid potential fines or supply chain disruptions, and demonstrate leadership in a shifting landscape.
It supports a more circular economy
Biodegradable packaging fits into a more regenerative economic model, one that designs waste out of the system and prioritises renewable resources. This shift is good for the planet and opens up opportunities for innovation, brand loyalty, and long-term resilience in an increasingly resource-conscious world.
Switching to biodegradable packaging makes a powerful statement about the kind of future your business wants to be part of. By choosing materials that safely return to the earth, you can reduce plastic pollution, meet customer expectations, and create a lower-waste economy.
How to choose your biodegradable packaging
Choosing biodegradable packaging is more than checking for an “eco-friendly” label. You need to find a solution that aligns with your brand values, product needs, and customer expectations. Here are a few of our tips to make the right call:
Know your product
Is it fragile? Heavy? Perishable? Your packaging needs to protect the product through the entire shipping journey. For delicate or high-value goods, look for materials like wool or mushroom that offer both cushioning and biodegradability.
Understand end-of-life scenarios
What happens after your packaging is thrown away? Look for materials that will get reused, recycled or composted, and ideally benefit the soil.
Bear in mind that some packaging providers mislabel materials as biodegradable. This is especially common with bioplastics, which usually require industrial composting facilities that few people have access to.
Choose traceable, transparent supply chains
Biodegradable doesn’t automatically mean sustainable. Ask where the raw material comes from, who processes it, and how the packaging gets made. If the answers you get are vague or unclear, it’s better to steer away.
Packaging made from waste, like leftover wool or recycled cardboard, often has the lowest environmental impact.
Consider the full unboxing experience
Sustainable packaging can also be beautiful. Look for materials that feel premium and boost your marketing, especially if you serve high-end customers. A memorable unboxing moment doesn’t have to come wrapped in plastic gloss.
Match your values with action
The best packaging choices reflect what your company stands for, whether that’s circularity, climate action, or zero waste. Packaging is the often first physical impression your customer gets. Make it count.
Where to buy biodegradable packaging
You’ve decided to go biodegradable, now what? Finding the right supplier might seem complicated and an endless process, so here’s where to look (and what to look out for):
Woola — Wool-based protective packaging made from leftover Estonian wool. Ideal for premium ecommerce and luxury brands.
EcoEnclose – Recycled and compostable packaging made in the USA, with a strong focus on circularity and customisation.
Circulate – A European marketplace for sustainable packaging. Lots of variety to choose from, and manufacturers that are well-vetted by experts.
Mushroom Packaging – Grown from mycelium and agricultural waste, this protective packaging composts in 45 days.
Cruz Foam – A marine-safe, compostable alternative to plastic foam, made from chitin found in shrimp shells.
How to choose your biodegradable packaging supplier:
Look for transparent material sourcing and clear certifications (like FSC or B Corp).
Choose customisation if aesthetics matter to your brand.
Consider local or regional suppliers to lower your carbon footprint.
Ask about volume pricing and lead times if you're shipping at scale.
Steer clear of suppliers that use terms like “eco” or “natural” without proof.
The future of packaging doesn’t come wrapped in plastic
As businesses and consumers rethink how things are made, shipped, and discarded, there’s never been a better time to choose biodegradable materials that protect both your products and the planet.
At Woola, we’re on a mission to replace plastic packaging with something better, and we’d love to help you do the same.
Curious about how wool packaging works? Or do you want to try it for yourself? Get in touch or request a sample today.
