This “plastic” bag dissolves in water!
Cyberpac, a UK packaging company that describes themselves as “a science-driven, design-led” packaging company, has come up with a biodegradable, compostable, water soluble polymer for clear bags like those used to deliver magazines through the mail. Not only will the bag dissolve in water, it is “up to 3 times stronger than polythene.”
Creative Review posted photos of the entire process, from opening the bag to disposal. It all melts away except for the ink printed on the bag.
How It Works
Many traditional, fossil fuel plastics like polythene can be made degradable by including a special additive in the mix. However, when discarded this mix will still be environmentally damaging.
“Harmless Packaging” from Cyberpac is derived from corn or potato starch – a renewable resource that absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows. Once the products reach the end of their useful life, they can be industrially composted to allow them to re-enter the life cycle.
To be classed ‘compostable’, a material must meet the stringent standards. The testing process involves mixing the material with organic waste and leaving it for 12 weeks under commercial composting conditions.
After this time the material must show evidence of being biodegraded due to microbial action. This means breaking down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass, rather than just breaking up into pieces, as degradable oil-based plastics do. To meet the standard, less than 10% of the remaining fragments are allowed to be larger than two millimeters.
The composted material is then tested for toxicity, to make sure it’s suitable to grow food crops. Finally, it’s sown with summer barley to check that it will support plant life.
Why have plastic bags that last millions of years when all they have to do is protect a product until we get it home? Cyberpac is on the right path.
