According to statistics, an average American produces 2,072 pounds of wastes a year. Some parts of wastes are naturally decomposed and returned to the Earth. But a larger part remains in the landfills, polluting the soil. They also release a large amount of methane and carbon dioxide, both of which are potent greenhouse gases. For better environmental health, we must opt for materials that can be decomposed naturally. In other words, we must choose biodegradable materials.
Biodegradable materials are generally materials of natural origin. Papers, cotton, agricultural wastes, forest produce, kitchen wastes, etc., are examples of biodegradable materials. Microbes can break down the complex organic molecules that make up these materials. The microbes then return the simpler materials to the soil as nutrients.
How is biodegradable material useful?
The need for luxury, comfort, and convenience has led modern man to discover and manufacture many synthetic materials. But most of the synthetic materials that we use daily are non-biodegradable. As a result, we end up generating a massive amount of wastes every day. Acres and acres of landfills across the face of Earth are teeming with vast piles of wastes. And these wastes consume a lot of space and produce odors. They also pollute the soil, water, and air.
Biodegradable materials, on the other hand, are safe. Microorganisms in the soil can digest them naturally, reducing them to their components. Thus, they reduce the solid matter and clear a lot of space. Moreover, the by-products of bio-degradation are useful to humans.
Biodegradation is nature’s way of preserving the Earth. It does not cause pollution but helps in recycling nutrients, keeping the Earth clean and sustainable.
Biodegradable materials you can use
Plastics and other non-biodegradable materials, as wastes, have adverse effects on the environment. They stay on in the landfills for decades and centuries. Not only do they occupy large spaces, but the pollutants they produce also have a detrimental effect on human and animal life.
No wonder there is a rising demand for biodegradable products across the global marketplace. The good news is, several materials are great alternatives to non-biodegradable ones.
Below are some biodegradable materials that you can use.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a versatile material from a grass family. They grow well without pesticides or fertilizers and are self-regenerating. They are used to make a variety of products.
Floors, furniture, and buildings
According to business insider, bamboo has a tensile strength of 28,000 pounds per square inch. Mild steel, on the other hand, has a tensile strength of 23,000 pounds per square inch. High tensile strength makes bamboo an ideal material for construction works. Moreover, they are highly weather-resistant and do not shrink or warp under extreme weather conditions.
Fabric
Bamboo fabrics are incredibly soft and absorbent. They make excellent towels, sheets, pillows, and clothing. And they come in attractive colors and designs.
Decors and accessories
You can also use bamboo to make accessories such as earrings, earring stands, and jewelry boxes. Bamboo accessories look chic and sophisticated. Bamboo decors lighten up your space.
Bamboo charcoal
Bamboo charcoal has excellent absorption properties. It is used as fuel as well as for purifying water. They promote kidney function.
Laptop and phone cases
Bamboo cases are growing popular due to their unique, elegant, and natural looks. They are available on many online websites.
Paper
Bamboo paper is soft and firm. Offset paper, typing paper, and high-grade culture paper are other products of bamboo.
Utensils and Tableware
Bamboo has anti-microbial properties and does not produce any harmful chemicals. Hence they are ideal for making kitchen wares such as cups, plates, utensils, cutleries, etc.
Bamboo products are 100 percent biodegradable. They are trendy and safe, easy to dispose of, and very eco-friendly.
Cork
Cork is a material manually harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. They can live up to a staggering 300 years, allowing a bark harvest every nine years. Once stripped of its bark, the cork trees absorb 3 to 5 times more carbon dioxide to regenerate new bark.
Cork has wide applications in the manufacturing sector.
- Various companies in America specialize in recycling natural wine corks. Some recycled cork products include footwear, yoga blocks, surf gear, bulletin board, etc.
- Cork has a dampening effect, so they find application in home furnishings such as floors and tiles.
- Cork is highly durable and soft to touch, with a smooth and shiny finish. Hence they are a plant-based alternative for leather. Cork is used to making handbags, wallets, cardholders, belts, jewelry, etc.
- Cork is buoyant, elastic, and water-resistant, which makes it an excellent material for footwear. Cork shoes are comfortable and provide orthopedic support to your soles and joints.
Cork is one of the most sustainable materials. Harvesting cork does not harm the trees, and cork is biodegradable. Even where the hybrid cork is not fully biodegradable, there is a wide range of recycling options.
Seaweed
Seaweeds are colossal plants submerged deep under the ocean. They grow rapidly and spread over a large area. They are more widely used in our everyday lives than we think.
- We use seaweed as a thickening agent in puddings, gums, jams, and jellies. They are also used in medicine as emulsifiers and stabilizers. They are used to treat gastritis and wounds too.
- Many facial masks, body gels, creams, and shampoos contain seaweed. They are rich in nutrients and have anti-aging properties.
- Dried and powdered seaweed are used as a fertilizer. It adds rich nutrients to the soil, such as potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.
- Seaweed fibers are soft, absorbent, and lightweight. Although seaweed fibers aren’t very popular yet, they have a promising future. Its anti-microbial properties help reduce odor and fight allergens.
- Seaweed has high protein content, and it is suitable for use as feed for livestock. Seaweeds improve the immune and overall health of animals. Feeding seaweed to animals has also proved to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by cattle.
Seaweeds have no adverse impact on our environment. They do not require chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides, and they do not deplete the sea of minerals. They improve the quality of water and greatly benefit marine health as well as our economy.
Bioplastic (soybean)
Soybean plastics are plant-based plastics used in manufacturing a wide range of products. However, not all soybean plastics are entirely biodegradable. This is because the polymers derived from soy are the same as those used in synthetic plastics. Some examples of non-biodegradable soybean plastic are toner, adhesive, automobile panels, and foam insulation.
But disposable products like tableware, trash bags, food containers, and packaging are biodegradable.
Other applications of bioplastics are listed below.
Textile fibers
Soybean fiber is produced by blending soybean protein and polyvinyl alcohol. Clothing made out of soybean fiber is excellent moisture absorbers with superior ventilation. They are warm and comfortable.
Footwear
Soybean plastic and oil are used in manufacturing durable footwear.
Furniture
Soybean cushions in sofas, chairs, and mattresses are hotly trending. Furniture makers are making a new green journey by incorporating soy foam in their furniture.
Electronics
Soy-based products significantly reduce the number of e-waste generated from electronics. Laptops, cell phones, tablets, television, and fridges are examples of some products where soybean plastics replace traditional plastics.
All products come with their flaws. So does soybean plastics. But they have their unique advantages too. They are strong, flexible, and heat resistant and impart superior quality as petroleum products. They replace formaldehyde in plastics, which is a known carcinogen, and reduce nitrous oxide emissions. Hence they are a natural choice to combat the dangers of synthetic plastics.
Mycelium
Mycelium is multi-cellular fungi that can multiply rapidly. They can grow up to 18 by two by 12-inch sheets over just a week by feeding on waste materials. Interestingly, these sheets can be bioengineered to produce a variety of things. Let us see some of the typical applications of mycelium.
Packaging material
The most popular and commercial application of mycelium is in the form of packaging. Mycelium sheets are lightweight, easy to mold, and reproduce rapidly. Hence they are preferable to the more popular packaging material polystyrene foam.
As an organic material, you might doubt its credentials. However, it is extremely strong and durable besides being cost-effective and sustainable. It does not need additional processing, and the natural sheets are directly used as packaging material. It is the simplest form of production.
Building materials
Mycelium based materials are used in manufacturing furniture and blocks, wall tiles, particleboard, and cheap, lightweight bricks. They are used to make acoustic materials because of their dampening effect.
Medicine
Various types of mushrooms have medicinal properties and are being used in medicine. Mycelium products are said to boost the immune system, relieve stress, and heal certain ailments. Some species are known to be cancer-fighting and have a therapeutic effect on diabetes.
Textile
Fibers made of mycelium are resilient and breathable. And they are completely biodegradable. These traits make mycelium fibers ideal for making clothing, footwear, bags, and jackets.
Mycelium has excellent potential, but for more products to hit the market, it may take time. Nevertheless, the future for mycelium certainly looks promising.
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