With the trend towards green living and sustainable development, an increasing number of businesses are choosing to use biodegradable products such as straws, cutlery, and food containers made from natural materials. However, unlike traditional plastic products, these biodegradable items require strict storage conditions to maintain their quality.

In this article, EQUO will explore the common mistakes made when storing biodegradable products in warehouses and how to rectify them, ensuring products always meet the highest quality standards, even during long-term storage.

Why Do Biodegradable Products Need Special Storage Conditions?

Unlike conventional products like plastic or other hard alloy materials, fully biodegradable products are made from natural resources. These can include sugarcane bagasse, coffee grounds, grass, rice, or coconut. Due to their purely organic nature, products made from these materials ensure maximum safety and environmental friendliness. However, because they do not contain any plasticizers or preservatives, these products generally have a shorter lifespan, decompose easily in the environment, and thus require stricter storage conditions.

The natural properties of these products are inherently linked to environmental conditions. Humidity, temperature, air circulation, and light exposure all impact product quality. Therefore, warehouse storage conditions for fully biodegradable products must be rigorously monitored. Failure to do so can inadvertently accelerate the product's natural decomposition, leading to financial losses and a compromised end-user experience.

Common Mistakes When Storing Biodegradable Products in Warehouses

Below are mistakes businesses often make when first storing biodegradable products. Let's join EQUO in identifying the main culprits and preventative measures to best maintain product quality.

1. Not Controlling Temperature and Humidity in the Warehouse
Storage facilities, especially for products that are biodegradable or fully compostable, typically require good ventilation and suitable temperatures. These products should particularly avoid prolonged exposure to excessively high temperatures and humidity, otherwise they are prone to:

• Reduced durability, becoming brittle and prone to breakage.
• Risk of premature decomposition or product deformation.

2. Storing Products Near Heat Sources or Direct Sunlight
Some warehouses have internal air conditioning vents that can affect the overall temperature, thereby impacting product quality. Many units even leave products outdoors, under direct sunlight, without protective covering or safe storage, making it impossible for products to maintain their original quality even within their shelf life.

3. Improper Stacking Causing Product Deformation
The distribution and arrangement of products in the warehouse also play a crucial role in ensuring product durability and quality. For lightweight products like straws and cutlery, boxes should be arranged logically, avoiding excessive stacking which can lead to items falling, damage, or deformation.

4. Not Using FIFO (First In – First Out)
One of the most basic and crucial principles of warehousing and inventory management, 'First In, First Out' (FIFO), is often overlooked, leading to significant negative impacts, especially for warehouses storing fully biodegradable products.

Due to their specific nature, these products have short lifespans. Therefore, besides avoiding overstocking, businesses must clearly identify which batches were received first and prioritize their use. Avoid using newly received stock (often placed at the front) while older stock remains in storage, which can lead to product degradation or expiry.

5. Not Conducting Regular Inspections and Quality Assessments of Shipments
Warehouse management departments also need to schedule regular assessments and quality checks of shipments. Ideally, upon receiving goods, the warehouse manager or recipient should open and inspect a sample. If the products are in good condition, they can be accepted into inventory. After warehousing, regular re-inspections (monthly or quarterly) should be scheduled to ensure product quality is maintained and to implement timely corrective actions if issues arise.

Guide to Properly Storing Biodegradable Products

Below are some common methods, particularly suitable for businesses to apply when warehousing fully biodegradable products:

• Maintain stable warehouse temperatures (suggested range: 20–30°C).
• Control humidity levels to <70%, avoiding areas with steam or high moisture.
• Store in cool, shaded areas, away from direct sunlight.
• Ensure proper packaging and sensible stacking to protect product shape.
• Implement FIFO in inventory management.
• Regularly inspect product quality in storage.

EQUO Products and Effective Storage

EQUO is a leading provider of environmentally friendly sustainable products, including straws, cutlery, sugarcane bagasse containers, and paper cups with modern water-based coatings. All are fully biodegradable, free from plastic or any harmful chemicals, making them extremely safe for health and the environment.

EQUO always provides specific storage guidelines for its products due to the unique nature of biodegradable items. In addition to the storage guidelines mentioned above, EQUO also encourages businesses to check the production and expiry dates of each product before stocking, to estimate usage rates and determine the most appropriate inventory levels.

Conclusion 

Understanding the nature and characteristics of biodegradable products helps businesses find proper storage methods. Using fully biodegradable products is a significant step in environmental protection efforts and in building a positive brand image for businesses. However, for these products to perform their function correctly and maintain quality, proper warehouse storage is essential.

We hope this article has helped businesses identify common mistakes and gain more experience in storing products effectively and professionally.

If you are looking for high-quality, easy-to-store, and environmentally friendly biodegradable product solutions, EQUO is ready to partner with you. Contact the EQUO team today for detailed consultation and free samples!