At a time when calls for more sustainable alternatives are louder than ever before, biodegradable plastics are a topic of growing interest and discussion. But what exactly are biodegradable plastics, and what do they mean for our planet? In this blog post we delve deeper into this topic, discussing the different types of biodegradable plastics, and discussing the crucial factors that influence their degradation.
What are biodegradable plastics?
Biodegradable plastics are materials that can degrade in natural environments under the influence of biological processes, such as the activity of microorganisms. Unlike traditional plastics, which can persist for hundreds of years, biodegradable plastics have the potential to break down and be assimilated by the natural environment within a relatively short period of time.
Oxo-degradable plastics: An outdated concept
Oxo-degradable plastics were once hailed as a promising solution to the plastic waste problem. These plastics were treated with additives that would promote accelerated degradation under the influence of oxygen and UV light. However, research has shown that the degradation of oxo-degradable plastics is not complete and often leads to fragmentation into microplastics, which can cause serious environmental pollution. For this reason, oxo-degradable plastics are now banned in most countries.
The difference between compostability in natural environments and industrial composters
An important distinction must be made between materials that are compostable in natural environments, and materials that are suitable for industrial composters. The industrially compostable materials can be decomposed under the controlled conditions of heat (approximately 60 degrees), humidity and oxygen supply provided by industrial composters. These conditions can be more difficult to replicate in a natural environment, which can lead to much slower degradation times or incomplete degradation. Of course, EcoBlade uses materials that biodegrade in nature.
Thickness and other factors affecting degradation
The thickness of a biodegradable material plays a crucial role in the degradation process. Thicker materials generally take longer to break down than thin materials. Other factors that influence degradation include exposure to UV light, temperature, humidity and the presence of microorganisms. Materials exposed to these conditions will generally degrade more quickly than materials protected from these influences. It is therefore important to store biodegradable mowing line dry and out of the sun.
Conclusion
Biodegradable plastics offer a promising solution to the problem of plastic pollution, but it also includes materials that only decompose in an industrial composter. It is important to have a good understanding of the different types of biodegradable materials in order to estimate their environmental impact. In any case, you are in the right place with EcoBlade wire: it also degrades in nature so you can mow worry-free.