Looking to steer your business toward sustainability? One effective way of doing so is by using biodegradable materials. But just what does biodegradable mean, and how exactly does it work? Put simply, biodegradable products naturally break down into organic waste and become part of the environment, which can reduce pollution levels. It’s a complex process involving specific conditions and producing a meaningful environmental impact.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into answering the question, “What is biodegradability,” while exploring how it works, what processes are used, and the pivotal role it can play in shaping your manufacturing process.
What is Biodegradability?
A material is biodegradable if it can be broken down by microorganisms into natural substances. Biodegradable materials like food scraps and paper decompose naturally, reducing waste and environmental impact. Unlike non-biodegradable plastics and metals, they don’t harm ecosystems.
The “biodegradability” definition is multifaceted because while most chemical compounds and materials will eventually biodegrade under the right conditions, some substances biodegrade much faster than others. For example, bamboo can fully degrade in about five years, while many non-biodegradable plastics take 100 years or more to break down.
There isn’t an exact time frame in which a product must break down to be considered biodegradable. Biodegradation standards vary between industries and materials. When choosing biodegradable materials for your manufacturing process, you’ll need to consider the specific standards that apply to your products and your organization. For example, biodegradable plastics and plastic alternatives often need to achieve biodisintegration (the process by which a biodegradable material loses its structural integrity and breaks down into smaller fragments) within a specific time frame to be considered sustainable.
Biodegradable materials may also need to meet specific ecotoxicity standards. If an item biodegrades quickly but pollutes the environment in the process, it isn’t sustainable. Ecotoxicity testing ensures that biodegradable materials will not harm the environment as they break down.
Biodegradable vs. Compostable
Biodegradation and composting are related processes that are often confused. Composting is a type of biodegradation that happens in a specific environment, in which organic compounds are converted to healthy compost. All composting is biodegradation, but not all biodegradation is composting. Also, compostable materials may not biodegrade in other non-composting environments.
Compostable materials are collected and maintained at specific aeration, humidity, and temperature levels, which helps them break down faster than they would on their own. Adding composted materials to soil makes it richer and more nutrient-dense and can help support a healthy garden.
What are Biodegradable Materials?
A variety of biodegradable materials are often used when developing sustainable products, including:
- Bamboo: This plant is one of the most popular biodegradable materials on the market due to its durable structure and fast growth time.
- Wood: One of the most versatile biodegradable materials on the market, wood can be used to make a wide range of products.
- Cork: Another versatile biodegradable material that is popular for its waterproof and insulating properties.
- Hemp: A natural fiber that can be used to make textiles and has various other properties, hemp grows in a wide range of climates, making it very sustainable.
- Wheat: While wheat’s primary purpose is to make food, the straw of a wheat plant can be compressed to make other items, such as construction materials or composite.
- Mycelium: Made from the roots of mushrooms and other fungi, mycelium is harvested from agricultural waste.
- Cotton: A biodegradable material that is most frequently used to make textiles.
The Biodegradation Process
What is biodegradation, and what does its process entail? Biodegradation is a multi-step process influenced by various environmental factors. The time frame for biodegradation varies from material to material and is highly dependent on environmental factors like temperature, humidity, light exposure, and more. For example, there are three key steps in the biodegradation process of polymers.
Biodeterioration
Biodeterioration is the first step in the biodegradation process. In this step, the material’s structure starts to weaken physically and chemically. The material may maintain some of its defining characteristics during these changes.
Various agents can lead to biodeterioration, including fungi, bacteria, or even exposure to insects. Factors like light, compression, temperature changes, and exposure to certain chemicals can also jump-start the process. For example, consider a biodegradable plastic product. During the biodeterioration stage, it will still be recognizable as a piece of plastic but will start to show visible signs of damage. The item may have changed in shape, color, or texture due to exposure to living microorganisms.
Biofragmentation
Biofragmentation is the next step in the biodegradation process. During biofragmentation, the material’s chemical structure changes, and it starts to break into multiple pieces.
When polymers like biodegradable plastics enter the biofragmentation stage, microorganisms start to break the molecular bonds in their structure. The process will differ depending on whether oxygen is present or not at this stage. If oxygen is present, this process will produce methane gas. Biofragmentation can also produce carbon dioxide and water, regardless of whether or not oxygen is present.
Assimilation
The biodegradable material becomes part of the surrounding environment during the assimilation process. Living microorganisms break down the material to the point where it is no longer recognizable and does not retain its original chemical composition. The result is a new biomass. In many cases, the biomass is recycled and used as a sustainable fuel source.
6 Advantages of Using Biodegradable Materials
Using biodegradable materials in your products and manufacturing processes has many advantages. Here are some reasons why these materials are worth the investment.
1. Less Waste Accumulation
Using biodegradable materials means that your products will create less waste in landfills. Rather than persisting in the environment, biodegradable materials are completely broken down into natural, basic components, such as carbon dioxide, water, and biomass.
Reducing waste accumulation is key as the global population grows, and environmental concerns are more pertinent than ever. To effectively prevent waste accumulation, you’ll need to understand the biodegradation process for each material you work with. While some materials can biodegrade in almost any environment, others will need to be sent to specific processing facilities. If you don’t dispose of biodegradable materials correctly, they could still end up in landfills or as litter, contributing to the broader global waste problem.
2. Lower Environmental Impact
With the threat of global climate change looming, it’s essential for businesses to consider how their actions impact the environment. One way to reduce negative environmental impact is to shift from traditional plastics to biodegradable alternatives. The most accessible biodegradable materials are plant-based. Since these materials come from the natural environment, they help reduce pollution, both during manufacturing and after the product has been disposed of. Manufacturing biodegradable materials results in fewer carbon emissions.
In some instances, biodegradable products also need to meet ecotoxicity standards so they won’t pollute the environment at the end of their lifespan. By transitioning to biodegradable alternatives, businesses can mitigate their environmental impact and contribute to sustainability efforts, particularly in addressing climate change and pollution concerns.
3. More Sustainable Practices
Using biodegradable materials in your operations is a very sustainable long-term approach. Most biodegradable products are plant-based, while traditional plastics are usually made from crude oil and other petroleum-based substances.
When you opt for biodegradable materials, you won’t have to worry about the availability of petroleum, a limited natural resource. The availability of biodegradable materials is generally not affected by environmental changes. Some biodegradable materials can also easily be swapped out for one another, so you may have an alternative if your material of choice isn’t available.
Adjusting your manufacturing processes can be very costly, so this is an important factor to consider. Investing in the most sustainable option now can help you save time and money in the long run, especially as resource availability changes. Overall, incorporating biodegradable materials into operations promotes more sustainable practices by reducing reliance on finite resources, enhancing flexibility in material sourcing, and potentially offering long-term cost savings.
4. Lower Waste Disposal Cost
As a manufacturer, you are responsible for finding and implementing safe waste disposal options. If you work with non-biodegradable materials, this process can be very expensive. Non-biodegradable materials often require costly waste transportation and processing facilities to prevent pollution.
With biodegradable materials, you’ll have a much wider range of disposal options available. Additionally, many biodegradable materials will break down safely in a variety of environments rather than requiring very specific composting or trash processing needs. Since you’ll have more disposal options to choose from, you’ll be able to keep costs low and find a solution that works with your budget.
5. Meet Consumer Demands
Today’s consumers are very passionate about environmental sustainability. 78% of US consumers say that living a sustainable lifestyle is important to them and that it affects their purchasing habits. 50% of consumers say they will even pay more for sustainable products.
Since sustainability is an important shopping consideration for many consumers, using biodegradable materials can help you appeal to them. Failing to incorporate sustainability in your manufacturing processes could result in losing customers or even damaging your organization’s reputation.
Be transparent with your customers when using biodegradable materials. You can incorporate this information into your marketing materials, but it’s important to be completely factual, avoid greenwashing your manufacturing process, and comply with all relevant regulations. Providing instructions on how to dispose of biodegradable materials most effectively can also be helpful. In your product packaging, provide information for customers about how to compost your products so they biodegrade quickly.
Meeting consumer demands for sustainability by using biodegradable materials can help businesses attract environmentally conscious consumers, enhance their reputation, and align with evolving consumer preferences.
6. Compliance with Regulatory Bodies
Globally, many federal and state governments have implemented environmental safety regulations for certain products. Both the US Environmental Protection Agency and the UK’s British Standards Institution have strict requirements for biodegradable plastics. The EU’s REACH program also created restrictions for the ‘intentional’ use of ECHA microplastics in products. Other environmental safety regulations include Cradle to Cradle, Safer Choice, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EAL), and more.
Many industries also have private regulatory bodies with sustainability guidelines. Depending on your location and industry, you may need to use biodegradable materials to comply with these regulations. Even if no environmental regulations apply to your business right now, using biodegradable materials could still help you in the future. Sustainability requirements are becoming more common worldwide, and using biodegradable materials can help you prepare for the future.
What Does the Future Hold for Biodegradable Materials?
Environmental sustainability has become a serious global concern, highlighting the need for more biodegradable materials. Many companies are looking for biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics. Approximately 20 million metric tons of plastic end up in the environment each year, which can have disastrous consequences for our soil and water sources.
In the future, we can expect more manufacturers to switch to biodegradable materials in lieu of plastic. Many brands already use bamboo as an alternative to single-use plastic cutlery and straws. As the e-commerce industry grows and direct-to-consumer shipping rates remain high, companies will likely explore more biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials as well.
We can also expect to see the development of new biodegradable plastics. Currently, PLAs are more biodegradable than traditional plastics, but they require very specific environmental conditions to break down quickly. Realistically, PLA products aren’t usually disposed of in a way that allows them to break down efficiently. In the future, researchers will continue to work toward even more sustainable plastic alternatives that decompose quickly in landfills.
When switching to biodegradable materials, biodegradability testing will be paramount. Biodegradability testing monitors and measures the decomposition process of your materials. It is necessary to confirm that your biodegradable products will actually decompose without harming the environment or creating pollution. In some instances, biodegradability testing may also be required to meet compliance standards.
The future of biodegradable materials appears promising, driven by the imperative to mitigate plastic pollution and embrace more sustainable practices across industries. Continued innovation and investment in biodegradable alternatives are expected to contribute to a more environmentally conscious and responsible approach to material usage and waste management.
Biodegradability Testing from RespirTek
Switching to biodegradable materials is a very effective way to reduce your environmental impact and operate more sustainably. Biodegradability testing is a must for any organization using biodegradable materials.
At RespirTek, we offer comprehensive biodegradability testing to ensure your products meet environmental compliance standards. We also offer wastewater treatment services and other chemical testing services to help your business operate safely and sustainably. Contact us today to learn more about our services and get started. We look forward to working with you and contributing to a greener world together.
