Want more information on custom biodegradable plastic bag? Feel free to contact us.
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Below is our Top 6 most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you have one that hasn’t been answered below or want more detail, please contact us! We love chatting about our amazing products and answering all kinds of questions! Believe me, we’ve had some doozies in our day!
What are BioBags made from?
The short answer:
BioBags are made from a resin derived from plants, vegetable oils and compostable polymers.
The more detailed answer:
BioBag® products are made from a compostable resin named Mater-Bi®. Mater-Bi® is produced by Novamont, an Italian research company dedicated to environmental alternatives to polyethylene-based plastics. Mater-Bi® is an innovative family of bioplastics that uses substances obtained from plants, such as but not limited to, non-genetically modified corn starch, and biodegradable/compostable polymers obtained both from renewable raw materials and fossil raw materials. Novamont’s policy is to acquire and use exclusively natural, non-GM, raw materials (such as starch). Most of our products (3 gallon, 13 gallon, sandwich bags, produce bags and liners) have a non-GMO third party certification. To read more about Mater-Bi®, visit Novamont’s website.
Where are BioBags made?
The majority of BioBags are Manufactured in the USA with resin (mentioned above) sourced from Italy. More specifically, we create the glorious BioBag in a magical place called San Leandro, California! A few of our products are manufactured in Thailand and Estonia.
Where can I purchase BioBags?
We don’t sell directly to consumers but BioBags can be easily purchased online and at many natural and traditional retailers. To find some of those retailers, see our How to Order page. If you are a wholesaler, distributor, non-profit, government entity or any other business organization and would like to purchase BioBags, contact us directly for pricing and to set up an account. We only have one case minimums and our customer service is unparalleled!
I see your bags are labeled “COMPOSTABLE”. What does that mean and what is the difference between Compostable and Biodegradable?
We are SO glad you asked this question.
The short answer:
BioBags are certified compostable meaning they can be consumed by micro-organisms in an industrial setting and meet the testing specifications found in the ASTM D6400. Our bags are digested by these microbial bacteria, along with food and yard waste, to become soil or fertilizer. Some of our products are even home compost certified (European) and can be composted in your home composter. Pretty neat, huh?
The more detailed answer:
Check out our whole web page dedicated to the difference between compostable and biodegradable along with our certifications.
How is a BioBag Compostable bag different from a traditional polyethylene plastic bag?
A BioBag is not meant to last forever. It is meant to collect organic waste and be turned into compost along with that organic waste. Because a BioBag is not made of polyethylene, the bag can start to break down when exposed to microorganisms that are found in the ground and on organic waste.
For best results:
- Use within one year of purchase
- Store in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat. Try the fridge or freezer. Those work great for us in the office!
- Change out your used BioBag every 3-5 days
What happens to BioBags in the landfill?
The short answer:
Like ALL things (including food waste, paper and all else), Virtually Nothing.
The more detailed answer:
BioBags are designed to be composted and returned naturally back to the earth. If BioBags are placed in an “open” or “turned” space like a compost facility they will decompose at a rate similar to other biodegradable materials in the same setting. If BioBags are placed in an anaerobic (air-locked) landfill and deprived of oxygen and the existence of the micro-organisms that “eat” naturally biodegradable materials, their ability to decompose will be severely restricted. This is true of all biodegradable materials placed in this setting, including paper, yard waste, and food waste. The majority of landfills in the U.S. are modern anaerobic (air-locked) landfills.
These modern landfills are designed to safely entomb waste and to protect the environment from the liquids and gases that are produced during the very slow breakdown of waste. The impediment of degradation is because the lack of exposure to air, water and sunlight which is needed for degradation. Therefore, by design, modern landfills greatly retard the degradation process to reduce the by-products that might otherwise contaminate groundwater and the air. They are also specially designed so that the land can be used after the landfill is capped and closed. Parks, golf courses and even airports have been built on top of closed landfills!
As a consumer, you should be quite suspicious of any manufacturer making claims that their products will biodegrade, degrade or “go away” quickly in a landfill. There are many Federal and State Regulations preventing false claims such as these.
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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions - BioBag
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Below is our Top 6 most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you have one that hasn’t been answered below or want more detail, please contact us! We love chatting about our amazing products and answering all kinds of questions! Believe me, we’ve had some doozies in our day!
What are BioBags made from?
The short answer:
BioBags are made from a resin derived from plants, vegetable oils and compostable polymers.
The more detailed answer:
BioBag® products are made from a compostable resincompostable resin named Mater-Bi®. Mater-Bi® is produced by Novamont, an Italian research company dedicated to environmental alternatives to polyethylene-based plastics. Mater-Bi® is an innovative family of bioplastics that uses substances obtained from plants, such as but not limited to, non-genetically modified corn starch, and biodegradable/compostable polymers obtained both from renewable raw materials and fossil raw materials. Novamont’s policy is to acquire and use exclusively natural, non-GM, raw materials (such as starch). Most of our products (3 gallon, 13 gallon, sandwich bags, produce bags and liners) have a non-GMO third party certification. To read more about Mater-Bi®, visit Novamont’s website.
Where are BioBags made?
The majority of BioBags are Manufactured in the USA with resin (mentioned above) sourced from Italy. More specifically, we create the glorious BioBag in a magical place called San Leandro, California! A few of our products are manufactured in Thailand and Estonia.
Where can I purchase BioBags?
We don’t sell directly to consumers but BioBags can be easily purchased online and at many natural and traditional retailers. To find some of those retailers, see our How to Order page. If you are a wholesaler, distributor, non-profit, government entity or any other business organization and would like to purchase BioBags, contact us directly for pricing and to set up an account. We only have one case minimums and our customer service is unparalleled!
I see your bags are labeled “COMPOSTABLE”. What does that mean and what is the difference between Compostable and Biodegradable?
We are SO glad you asked this question.
The short answer:
BioBags are certified compostable meaning they can be consumed by micro-organisms in an industrial setting and meet the testing specifications found in the ASTM D6400. Our bags are digested by these microbial bacteria, along with food and yard waste, to become soil or fertilizer. Some of our products are even home compost certified (European) and can be composted in your home composter. Pretty neat, huh?
The more detailed answer:
Check out our whole web page dedicated to the difference between compostable and biodegradable along with our certifications.
How is a BioBag Compostable bag different from a traditional polyethylene plastic bag?
A BioBag is not meant to last forever. It is meant to collect organic waste and be turned into compost along with that organic waste. Because a BioBag is not made of polyethylene, the bag can start to break down when exposed to microorganisms that are found in the ground and on organic waste.
For best results:
- Use within one year of purchase
- Store in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat. Try the fridge or freezer. Those work great for us in the office!
- Change out your used BioBag every 3-5 days
What happens to BioBags in the landfill?
The short answer:
Like ALL things (including food waste, paper and all else), Virtually Nothing.
The more detailed answer:
BioBags are designed to be composted and returned naturally back to the earth. If BioBags are placed in an “open” or “turned” space like a compost facility they will decompose at a rate similar to other biodegradable materials in the same setting. If BioBags are placed in an anaerobic (air-locked) landfill and deprived of oxygen and the existence of the micro-organisms that “eat” naturally biodegradable materials, their ability to decompose will be severely restricted. This is true of all biodegradable materials placed in this setting, including paper, yard waste, and food waste. The majority of landfills in the U.S. are modern anaerobic (air-locked) landfills.
These modern landfills are designed to safely entomb waste and to protect the environment from the liquids and gases that are produced during the very slow breakdown of waste. The impediment of degradation is because the lack of exposure to air, water and sunlight which is needed for degradation. Therefore, by design, modern landfills greatly retard the degradation process to reduce the by-products that might otherwise contaminate groundwater and the air. They are also specially designed so that the land can be used after the landfill is capped and closed. Parks, golf courses and even airports have been built on top of closed landfills!
As a consumer, you should be quite suspicious of any manufacturer making claims that their products will biodegrade, degrade or “go away” quickly in a landfill. There are many Federal and State Regulations preventing false claims such as these.
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Featured content:"Plant Based Resin": Too Good to Be True?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Printed Plastic ...
Q. What’s your lead time?
A. This depends on what product you are buying. Custom printed bags that are made in our U.S. or Canadian factories take between 2 to 4 weeks. Bags that are made in Israel take between 6 to 9 weeks. Bags that are made in the far-east take between 10-12 weeks. We do our best to rush each and every job.
Q. What are under-runs and over runs?
What Are Biodegradable and Compostable Bags Made OfA. Simply put, an over-run is when you get more bags than you ordered, and an under-run is when you get less. Under-runs and over-runs are a characteristic of the custom-printed bag and box industry. Under-runs and over-runs can range from 5% to 25%, depending upon the complexity of the custom job and the quantity ordered. All printed orders are subject to a range of a 5% to 25% under-run or over-run and are billed pro-rata.
Q. Are proofs supplied?
A. A Proof of your design is supplied for all printed orders and must be approved by the customer. They can be sent via e-mail, fax or regular mail/UPS service.
Q. Can I have a sample of my bag made as a proof?
A. Currently, we are offering sample proofs only for paper euro-shoppers. For all other bags, it would be far too time consuming and costly to produce just 1 or a few bags for approval purposes. Instead, we can guarantee the accuracy of your bag based on your signed proof, and we can match pantone colors for the printing.
Q. What are plates?
A. Plates can be either rubber or metal (flexography or rotogravure). One plate is required for each color you are printing on the bag. The plate is engraved with the image and then used for the transfer of ink from the machine onto the plastic or paper that will later be made into a bag.
Q. What’s the difference between flexography and rotogravure?
A. Flexography is the most common method for printing bags. It involves rubber or polymer plates. Rotogravure is a much more intricate method of printing that uses metal plates. It is recommended for, but not limited to, bags with heavy ink coverage, fine screens, and certain 4 color process jobs.
Q. How are plates billed?
A. Plates are billed at cost for your first order only. Camera-ready art is preferred but if you do not have it we will work with you to create it. Again, we do NOT charge for artwork and/or design services, unlike our competition. If you are a repeat customer who is adding (or removing) a location to the address portion, we provide the slug-in plate free of charge. If you are a repeat customer who is changing your design completely, then we must charge for the new set of plates.
Q. What are your minimums?
A. This depends on the type of bag. Please select a bag type to view its minimum order amount and other information or just Contact an Alef Custom Packaging specialist to learn more about our selection of plastic bags and other packaging solutions, call us toll-free at 1.800.453.2212.
Q. Do you print 4 color process?
A. Yes. We actually specialize in 4 color process bags and are considered one of the leading companies for this type of printing. We’d be happy to send you samples and know you will be impressed with our quality.
Q. What is 4 color process printing?
A. The four colors known as CMYK, (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are used to create specific colors through various combinations of the four. This is used for photographic images and complicated print jobs.
Q. What format do you require for logos?
Read more about the
A. We prefer to receive your logos/designs in Adobe Illustrator (.eps) format CS2 or earlier. If you do not have this program, the next best is usually Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). We can try and work with jpegs, gifs or other formats if that is all you have. If you do not have your design done electronically, we can usually use it from paper, a business card or other ways. Send your art to art@alefcustom.com or fax it to 215.355.2577.Read more about the Art Submissions Guidelines
Q. Is it important to buy from a local distributor?
A. Alef Custom Packaging’s headquarters are just outside Philadelphia, PA but we serve many customers all across the country and globe. In order to best serve customers further away geographically, we have additional warehouses in Illinois, California and Texas. We also enjoy some of the best shipping rates available, which we pass on to you at our cost.
Also, as a manufacturer we are able to give you much more sound advice then a distributor whose only job is to sell you. We give advice based on what will make the best bag for your brand.
Q. Is shipping expensive?
A. NO. We enjoy up to 74% discounts off of shipping company’s regular rates and provide those to you at cost. That enables us to have customers across the U.S. and in many other countries as well. We work with 5 different trucking companies (some regional, some national) and compare rates whenever more than 1 goes to the same location to give you the best possible rate.
Q. I have a picture or 4 color process design but cannot afford to buy that type of bag. What do I do?
A. Fancy and elaborate designs do not always mean a more effective bag. Our graphic designers can simplify your picture to save you money and keep the bag attractive and effective.
Q. I want to order but don’t have storage room. Do you store bags and ship upon request? How much do you charge for this?
A. Yes we offer that service and it is free! Most orders should not be broken up into smaller shipments because the total cost for shipping will go up. But in the case that you have a large order and want to break it up into shipments, we’ll take care of it for you – on the house.
Q. What if I receive a damaged item?
A. In the unlikely event your merchandise is somehow damaged or defective, please contact us immediately at info@alefcustom.com, or phone 800-453-2212, or fax 215-355-2577. DO NOT throw away damaged bags, we will most likely need to see samples in order to rectify the problem.
Q. Do you disclose any personal information to a third party?
A. No. Your confidential information, such as your name, address, or credit card data, is only used to fill your order with us. We do not disclose any of this personal information to any third party unless required by law to do so.
Q. What are the shipping times once the goods leave the Alef warehouse?
A. One (1) day shipping to CT, DE, MD, NJ, and PA; two (2) days shipping to IN, MA, NC, NH, NY, OH, RI, TN, VA, VT, and WV; three (3) days shipping to AL, FL, GA, IA, IL, KY, ME, MI, MN, SC, and WI; four (4) days shipping to AR, KS, LA, MO, MS, NE, OK, and SD; five (5) days shipping to AZ, CO, ID, MT, ND, NM, NV, TX, UT, WA, and WY; six (6) days shipping to CA and OR. DON’T FORGET THAT ON CUSTOM ORDERS MADE IN CHINA, MERCHANDISE CAN BE SENT DIRECTLY FROM OUR LOS ANGELES AREA WAREHOUSE TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY FOR OUR WEST COAST CUSTOMERS.
Contact an Alef Custom Packaging specialist to learn more about our selection of plastic bags and other packaging solutions.
Contact an Alef Custom Packaging specialist to learn more about our selection of plastic bags and other packaging solutions.
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Q. What’s your lead time?
A. This depends on what product you are buying. Custom printed bags that are made in our U.S. or Canadian factories take between 2 to 4 weeks. Bags that are made in Israel take between 6 to 9 weeks. Bags that are made in the far-east take between 10-12 weeks. We do our best to rush each and every job.
Q. What are under-runs and over runs?
A. Simply put, an over-run is when you get more bags than you ordered, and an under-run is when you get less. Under-runs and over-runs are a characteristic of the custom-printed bag and box industry. Under-runs and over-runs can range from 5% to 25%, depending upon the complexity of the custom job and the quantity ordered. All printed orders are subject to a range of a 5% to 25% under-run or over-run and are billed pro-rata.
Q. Are proofs supplied?
A. A Proof of your design is supplied for all printed orders and must be approved by the customer. They can be sent via e-mail, fax or regular mail/UPS service.
Q. Can I have a sample of my bag made as a proof?
A. Currently, we are offering sample proofs only for paper euro-shoppers. For all other bags, it would be far too time consuming and costly to produce just 1 or a few bags for approval purposes. Instead, we can guarantee the accuracy of your bag based on your signed proof, and we can match pantone colors for the printing.
Q. What are plates?
A. Plates can be either rubber or metal (flexography or rotogravure). One plate is required for each color you are printing on the bag. The plate is engraved with the image and then used for the transfer of ink from the machine onto the plastic or paper that will later be made into a bag.
Q. What’s the difference between flexography and rotogravure?
A. Flexography is the most common method for printing bags. It involves rubber or polymer plates. Rotogravure is a much more intricate method of printing that uses metal plates. It is recommended for, but not limited to, bags with heavy ink coverage, fine screens, and certain 4 color process jobs.
Q. How are plates billed?
A. Plates are billed at cost for your first order only. Camera-ready art is preferred but if you do not have it we will work with you to create it. Again, we do NOT charge for artwork and/or design services, unlike our competition. If you are a repeat customer who is adding (or removing) a location to the address portion, we provide the slug-in plate free of charge. If you are a repeat customer who is changing your design completely, then we must charge for the new set of plates.
Q. What are your minimums?
A. This depends on the type of bag. Please select a bag type to view its minimum order amount and other information or just Contact an Alef Custom Packaging specialist to learn more about our selection of plastic bags and other packaging solutions, call us toll-free at 1.800.453.2212.
Q. Do you print 4 color process?
A. Yes. We actually specialize in 4 color process bags and are considered one of the leading companies for this type of printing. We’d be happy to send you samples and know you will be impressed with our quality.
Q. What is 4 color process printing?
A. The four colors known as CMYK, (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are used to create specific colors through various combinations of the four. This is used for photographic images and complicated print jobs.
Q. What format do you require for logos?
Read more about the
A. We prefer to receive your logos/designs in Adobe Illustrator (.eps) format CS2 or earlier. If you do not have this program, the next best is usually Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). We can try and work with jpegs, gifs or other formats if that is all you have. If you do not have your design done electronically, we can usually use it from paper, a business card or other ways. Send your art to art@alefcustom.com or fax it to 215.355.2577.Read more about the Art Submissions Guidelines
Q. Is it important to buy from a local distributor?
A. Alef Custom Packaging’s headquarters are just outside Philadelphia, PA but we serve many customers all across the country and globe. In order to best serve customers further away geographically, we have additional warehouses in Illinois, California and Texas. We also enjoy some of the best shipping rates available, which we pass on to you at our cost.
Also, as a manufacturer we are able to give you much more sound advice then a distributor whose only job is to sell you. We give advice based on what will make the best bag for your brand.
Q. Is shipping expensive?
A. NO. We enjoy up to 74% discounts off of shipping company’s regular rates and provide those to you at cost. That enables us to have customers across the U.S. and in many other countries as well. We work with 5 different trucking companies (some regional, some national) and compare rates whenever more than 1 goes to the same location to give you the best possible rate.
Q. I have a picture or 4 color process design but cannot afford to buy that type of bag. What do I do?
A. Fancy and elaborate designs do not always mean a more effective bag. Our graphic designers can simplify your picture to save you money and keep the bag attractive and effective.
Q. I want to order but don’t have storage room. Do you store bags and ship upon request? How much do you charge for this?
A. Yes we offer that service and it is free! Most orders should not be broken up into smaller shipments because the total cost for shipping will go up. But in the case that you have a large order and want to break it up into shipments, we’ll take care of it for you – on the house.
Q. What if I receive a damaged item?
A. In the unlikely event your merchandise is somehow damaged or defective, please contact us immediately at info@alefcustom.com, or phone 800-453-2212, or fax 215-355-2577. DO NOT throw away damaged bags, we will most likely need to see samples in order to rectify the problem.
Q. Do you disclose any personal information to a third party?
A. No. Your confidential information, such as your name, address, or credit card data, is only used to fill your order with us. We do not disclose any of this personal information to any third party unless required by law to do so.
Q. What are the shipping times once the goods leave the Alef warehouse?
A. One (1) day shipping to CT, DE, MD, NJ, and PA; two (2) days shipping to IN, MA, NC, NH, NY, OH, RI, TN, VA, VT, and WV; three (3) days shipping to AL, FL, GA, IA, IL, KY, ME, MI, MN, SC, and WI; four (4) days shipping to AR, KS, LA, MO, MS, NE, OK, and SD; five (5) days shipping to AZ, CO, ID, MT, ND, NM, NV, TX, UT, WA, and WY; six (6) days shipping to CA and OR. DON’T FORGET THAT ON CUSTOM ORDERS MADE IN CHINA, MERCHANDISE CAN BE SENT DIRECTLY FROM OUR LOS ANGELES AREA WAREHOUSE TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY FOR OUR WEST COAST CUSTOMERS.
Contact an Alef Custom Packaging specialist to learn more about our selection of plastic bags and other packaging solutions.
Contact an Alef Custom Packaging specialist to learn more about our selection of plastic bags and other packaging solutions.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Biodegradable PBAT plastic.
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