With rising awareness of environmental issues and the growing demand for eco-friendly products, bamboo products are becoming popular by the day. Many countries worldwide, including China, India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, have made significant progress in the bamboo industry.

If you are looking for eco-friendly products and a sustainable home is your goal, consider investing in bamboo products. They are affordable, very eco-friendly, and contribute aesthetically to your home.

How eco-friendly are bamboo products?

So, how eco-friendly are bamboo products? Super eco-friendly!

Bamboo is a family of grass that matures faster than hardwood. Labeled “the fastest growing plants on Earth,” some species can grow more than three feet each day. In as little as three to five years, the timber variety can reach up to a height of 30 meters and 10-12 inches in diameter. They are a rapidly renewable energy source that can replace many non-renewable, non-biodegradable, and pollution-causing materials.

Bamboo cultivation does not require extensive planning or hard manual labor. They thrive in almost all weather and soil conditions, from lower wetlands to arid mountains. Plus, they do not need fertilizers or pesticides. They have anti-microbial properties, and insects and rodents are naturally repellent to bamboo. As bamboo grows in colonies, they send out new shoots after each harvest, giving rise to a new batch of plants. Thus there is no need for additional planting.

Cultivation of bamboo has a positive impact on the environment. It absorbs more carbon and releases 35% more oxygen into the atmosphere than an equivalent stand of hardwoods. 

Bamboo timbers are tough and durable. According to estimates, around 15 billion trees are chopped down each year. Large-scale deforestation, as we know, harms the environment and biodiversity. Utilizing bamboo as an alternative for hardwood can drastically reduce deforestation and help preserve our forests. 

Bamboo is also effective at controlling soil erosion. Hardwoods are uprooted after each harvest to provide space for the growth of new plants. Leaving the topsoil bare makes it prone to erosion. Bamboo, on the other hand, is cut at the base, but the roots are left untouched.  Thus, the extensive root system holds the soil together and prevents the soil from being blown away by wind or water.

You can use every part of the bamboo to make a wide variety of products. The leaves fall off and turn into manure. The mulch is rich in nutrients, and young shoots are a delicacy with anti-inflammatory properties. There is no wastage whatever in any form with bamboo.

Bamboo is quickly replacing many plastic products, from toothbrushes to disposable utensils, fabrics, and floors. Bamboo is naturally resistant to bacterial growth and is suitable for handling food. Plus, they do not leech chemicals or cause reactions.

Finally, bamboo is fully biodegradable. After a bamboo product has served its purpose, simply dispose of it in the compost pit. In no time, it will turn into manure without a trace of pollution. No wonder bamboo products are the go-to for many eco-conscious shoppers. 

Bamboo products for eco-conscious shoppers

Bamboo products offer us all the benefits, comfort, and luxury of modern life without harming the environment. Today, you will find a wide variety of bamboo products across the marketplace to cater to your needs. Here, we will take a look at some of the most popular bamboo products.

Bamboo travel utensils

Bamboo travel utensils are an excellent choice for various reasons.

• They are lightweight and can easily be packed and carried without hassle. 
• Bamboo is a durable and robust material. It is much stronger than traditional wood.
• They are easy on your pots and pans. Unlike metals, bamboo does not scratch or damage your pans. 
• They are elegant and natural-looking. Bamboo makes your food more visually appealing.
• They are affordable and you can reuse them.
• They are stain and odor resistant. 
• They are anti-microbial and do not leech chemicals into your food.

When you buy bamboo travel utensils, you save plastic disposables and a lot of pollutants. Whether you are out on a picnic for a day or camping/hiking for weeks, bamboo utensils are your ideal choice.

Bamboo Toothbrush

A decade back, who would have imagined that bamboo toothbrushes would make their way to the market and compete with top-notch plastic and electric toothbrushes? But they are here and winning hearts. How are they better?

• Plastic handles of toothbrushes are non-biodegradable and electric batteries leech toxic chemicals. The handles of bamboo toothbrushes, on the other hand, are made entirely of bamboo. You can pull off the bristles with pliers and dispose of the handles safely.  
• As bamboo has anti-microbial properties, it limits bacterial growth in your mouth and contributes to better oral health.
• Another plus factor is its mobility. It is easy to carry around. If you are traveling and do not have enough power or time to charge your electric brush, a bamboo toothbrush can come in handy.

Bamboo straws

Bamboo straws are not as flexible as plastic straws. But they are still a good choice because they are sustainable, eco-friendly, and biodegradable. Plus, plastic, metal, and glass straws have many disadvantages when used over a long period. 

• Bamboo straws do not contain toxic chemicals, unlike plastic straws that can leak harmful compounds into your drinks.
• Metal reusable straws can be reused and are healthy. However, they give a terrible aftertaste and are not convenient for sipping a hot beverage.
• Glass straws are elegant and easy to clean. You can recycle them, but they are brittle and can break easily. Bamboo straws, on the other hand, are strong and durable. 
• Bamboo straws are easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
• You can reuse them over and over. And the straws are completely compostable.

Bamboo towels

Bamboo towels are making quite a fuss, all for good reasons. There is no way you wouldn’t want to buy them after knowing what they have to offer.

• Bamboo towels are much more absorbent than cotton. With just a gentle pat, they absorb all water and dry you faster.
• Bamboo has anti-microbial properties that prevent moisture and germs from building up. Thus you can use them longer. You don’t have to wash them as frequently as cotton towels.
• They are extremely durable and resist pilling or shrinkage. And bamboo fabrics are very soft to touch.
• They also make a great choice if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies. Bamboo towels are skin-friendly and do not irritate.
• Bamboo towels come in a wide range of attractive colors and designs.

Bamboo floors

Bamboo floors are a natural alternative to concrete and metal floors. Besides being eco-friendly, they offer several advantages over conventional floors.

• They are tough, durable, and highly weather resistant. Unlike many hardwoods, they don’t swell under humid conditions or contract in dry seasons.
• They are pest resistant and repel insects, termites, and bugs.
• Bamboo floors are easy to maintain.  Simply vacuuming or cleaning with a mild soap/floor cleanser is enough to keep it sparkling.
• They are light on the pocket much cheaper than hardwood because bamboo farming techniques consume less time and effort.
• Bamboo floors may get scratches, but refinishing the top layer will give it a new look again.
• They lend your home a sleek and sophisticated look.

Bamboo floors make great homes that are comfortable, affordable, and sustainable.

Bamboo cotton swabs

Do you know that 544 million plastic cotton buds are produced and sold each year? And these are never recycled. These buds are so small that they enter the waterways through the toilet. They enter the food chain of aquatic animals, clogging sewer systems, and building pollutants. Swap those buds with bamboo swabs. The benefits are enormous. 

• Zero waste and 100% compostable, bamboo cotton swabs are a healthy alternative to plastic.
• Bamboo is anti-bacterial and hence suitable for your ears and good for your skin.
• They are cheap and very affordable.
• You get to save the sewer systems from frequent blockage and save the animal species.

We have learned of so many advantages that bamboo products offer. What about the drawbacks?  Bamboo products may not be readily available around your area. If you buy them on the internet, it may take some time to get delivered.

Bamboo products are elegant and natural-looking. They impart a sleek and sophisticated look, but they may not suit all interiors because of limited designs.

However, the benefits that bamboo products offer us far outweigh the disadvantages. Once you buy a bamboo product, you will sleep in peace. You will know that you have made the right choice: no pollution, no waste, and minimal environmental impact.

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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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Microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi can decompose almost everything from your kitchen wastes to crude oil. Through a series of processes, microbes can digest the complex molecules that make up the wastes and convert them into simpler forms like water, carbon dioxide, methane, etc.

Biodegradable materials generally include all materials that are of natural origin. All materials that can be decomposed naturally by microorganisms are called biodegradable materials. Examples are agricultural products, paper, cotton, etc. When biodegradable materials are disposed of, microbes convert them into their basic components, recycling them back to nature.

Manure, compost, and biogas are useful products of biodegradation.

Non-biodegradable materials, on the other hand, are materials of synthetic origin. Examples include plastics, glasses, paints, metals, etc. Natural agents alone cannot decompose non-biodegradable materials. They remain in the environment for a long time as solid wastes, releasing toxic chemicals and gases, causing pollution. 

Hence, biodegradable materials are preferable over their synthetic counterpart. The problems posed by wastes generated from non-biodegradable materials are massive. Consequently, consumers and manufacturers across many fields are becoming increasingly eco-conscious. Worldwide, responsible manufacturers and scientists are exploring greener alternatives like bamboo, mycelium, seaweed, plant-based plastics, etc. 

Microorganisms are introduced to wastes, where they do not naturally grow. This process is called bioremediation. Introducing bioengineered microbes facilitates the digestion of toxic wastes, eventually removing harmful chemicals and pollutants from the soil. In phytoremediation, plants take the place of microbes to bind and clean up contaminants in the ground.

We cannot emphasize the importance of biodegradation enough. It is nature’s way of cleaning up the Earth and keeping it healthy and sustainable. Without it, the Earth would be a massive pile of wastes, reeking of garbage and unsuitable for living. 

The process of biodegradation

The process of biodegradation comprises of three stages- biodeterioration, bio fragmentation, and assimilation.

The first stage, bio-deterioration, is the weakening of the general structure of wastes. Natural elements like light, temperature, air, soil, and chemicals play an essential role. As the chemical and mechanical system gets weakened, the wastes are ready for the next stage.

In the next stage, microbes breakdown the complex molecules into their units called monomers and some intermediate compounds called oligomers. Fragmentation is the most crucial stage of all, which we shall discuss in detail. These simpler compounds then go through the third stage, that is, assimilation into the microbial cells. 

Biofragmentation of molecules depends on the type of microbes digesting the waste. Some microbes digest wastes in the presence of oxygen, while some do so without oxygen. Decomposition in the presence of oxygen is called aerobic digestion, and biodegradation without oxygen is called anaerobic digestion. 

Aerobic biodegradation

The aerobic microbes, also called aerobes, break the complicated bonds of the organic molecules with oxygen. Oxygen is essential for this process as aerobes have an oxygen-based metabolism. In this type of reaction, the aerobes use enzymes to break the chemical bonds of polymers. This reaction occurs in the cytoplasm. Then they carry the smaller fragments to the mitochondria and oxidize them to produce energy. 

The process of aerobic biodegradation is very efficient. It occurs rapidly, and no toxic gases or residues are left behind. Microbes can completely digest the wastes, reducing the solid matter by about 50 percent.

Anaerobic biodegradation

Anaerobes, on the other hand, digest wastes in the absence of oxygen. The anaerobic process is much slower as it follows a more complicated process.

In anaerobic digestion, aerobes break the complex materials into simple sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids. These products are then digested by two types of bacteria – first by the acetogens and then the methanogens.

Acetic acid-producing bacteria, the acetogens, digest these simple materials and convert them into carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and a large amount of acetic acid.

Methanogens then digest the resulting products to produce methane gas, carbon dioxide, and water.

Both aerobic and anaerobic reactions result in the same end-products, namely Carbon dioxide, water, some residue, and new biomass. The difference is, anaerobic reactions produce additional gas methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas.

Landfills as an energy source

With the average American producing 1,130 pounds of wastes a year, we have saturated landfills across the country with municipal wastes. According to EPA, Municipal solid wastes (MSW) landfills are the largest source of human-related methane emissions in the US. They accounted for approximately 15.1 % of these emissions in 2018.

When we deposit wastes in landfills, it undergoes aerobic degradation. Initially, landfills emit very little methane. However, they establish anaerobic conditions in less than a year, and methane-producing bacteria steadily generate methane. 

Landfill gas comprises 50% carbon dioxide, 50% methane, and a small amount of other organic compounds. These gases are serious pollutants, with methane gas 28 to 36 times more potent than carbon dioxide to cause global warming.

Instead of allowing them to escape, landfill projects can trap them to produce superior quality energy. As a healthy alternative to non-renewable energy sources, these gases are useful in myriad ways.

There are many positive aspects of harvesting landfill gas. 

Landfills are teeming with wastes, and we generate more daily. Hence, these wastes are a renewable source of energy. Since landfills are polluted and uninhabited areas, investment for energy projects is comparatively lesser. The energy harnessed from landfills can replace non-renewable sources of energy such as fossil fuels. And substituting fossil fuels with landfill gas will significantly reduce emissions of harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitric oxides, and particulate matter.

Setting up landfill energy projects improves the quality of air. Estimates say that landfill energy projects successfully trap about 60-90 percent of methane emitted from landfills. The percentage, of course, depends on the equipment and effectiveness of the system. When toxic gases are collected, it can no longer travel to the atmosphere causing local smog and global warming. Landfill projects also conserve land by reducing solid wastes and increasing space.

Apart from benefitting the environment, landfill gas also generates revenue for the government from the gas sale. Plus, it creates job opportunities for the community. Engineers, construction firms, equipment vendors, and power users benefit from landfill gas projects. Because of these benefits, the government is encouraging partnerships and new ventures.

How is landfill gas used?

About 18 percent of landfill gas generated at the site is piped directly to customers near the plants. Landfill gas is directly used in combustion equipment, auto manufacturing, chemical production, etc., where little filtration of gas is required. Food and beverage processing, cement and brick, wastewater treatment, and steel production are other examples where LFG is useful. 

About 10% of landfill gas is converted into Renewable Natural Gas. The plants reduce Carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen gas, increasing methane gas content to produce RNG. A superior quality fuel, RNG can replace fossil fuels. They are transported as pipeline quality gas for use at homes. Power plants also convert landfill gas into compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas.

About 72 percent of the current landfill energy projects are generating electricity. Combined heat and power projects produce both electricity and thermal heat in the form of hot water or steam. 

According to EPA, as of August 2020, 565 LFG energy projects in the US are in operation. Besides, they have 475 landfills listed as promising candidates for setting up projects. The government is making efforts to encourage landfill projects which are beneficial in every way. It is the best way to deal with mounting problems related to environmental health. Setting up landfill gas projects is not just helpful; it is necessary.

What is the difference between biodegradable, compostable, and OXO biodegradable?

Even though we have discussed enough wastes, some confusion remains around the type of waste materials. 

“Aren’t biodegradable and compostable materials the same thing?” many people ask. They aren’t the same things.

All materials degrade sooner or later. Some materials take weeks to break down into their fundamental components, while others might take decades or even centuries. So, technically all things are biodegradable, even the most notorious waste materials. 

Biodegradation is the breakdown and conversion of wastes into their fundamental components. Composting, on the other hand, is the process of recycling organic matter so you can reuse it. For instance, you can collect your organic kitchen wastes and allow it to decompose. After some time, you get to use the recycled wastes as manure and fertilizer. This is an example of composting. 

Composting is a rapid process, and it has several benefits. Composting adds nutrients to the soil and improves its quality. Soil with compost retains more moisture and can suppress plant diseases.

According to EPA estimates, about 20-50 percent of the wastes generated by the average American are compostable. Composting organic scraps will reduce garbage at landfills and clear up a lot of space. The production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, will be reduced. Otherwise, a large amount of methane will remain in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Methane gas has a long lifespan of 12 years, another reason why landfill projects must capture it.

Composting natural wastes can improve air quality and increase biodiversity by promoting the growth of healthy microorganisms. It enhances the quality of soil, prevents soil erosion, and much more. It is the cheapest method of disposal and the safest too. 

However, composting means something different from the biodegradation of wastes in your backyard when applied to industrial products. When a company calls its products compostable, they can be composted but only under some conditions. You must dump compostable waste materials into industrial composting facilities. They will not naturally decompose on their own. They have to be placed under the right conditions to deteriorate and disintegrate into simpler forms.

Hence buying a compostable product doesn’t always mean you are making an environmentally safe choice. Unless you dispose of it in a designated composting facility, it will stay on for a long time as wastes. You must ensure the waste management processes are in place so that your scraps find their way back to the Earth. 

OXO Biodegradable materials

OXO biodegradable materials are entirely different from compostable and biodegradable materials though we use the terms synonymously. OXO Biodegradable materials are made using metals and salts, which help them decompose quickly. They break down into smaller fragments that no longer visually pollute the environment. However, resulting components are still subject to microorganisms for further degradation. 

Specific additives containing metals like cobalt, manganese, iron, etc., are added to plastics before converting to final products. Traditional plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, etc., are turned into OXO biodegradable products by adding additives. When you dispose of these materials, certain factors like UV radiation or heat trigger chemical reactions. As a result, the reactions fragment the polymer chains. In this way, OXO biodegradable materials are broken down quickly and are no longer an eyesore. Microorganisms feed directly on the fragments and convert them into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass.

OXO biodegradable materials have their benefits. They are strong and durable. Unless exposed to radiation and heat over a prolonged period, they have a long shelf life. They look no different from regular plastics in their print, texture, or strength. They can also be recycled, unlike many degradable plastics, which are non-recyclable. Plus, their degradation does not produce the potent greenhouse gas methane.

However, biodegradation of fragmented plastics may take several years or decades. Further, metals in OXO plastics add more pollutants to the environment. Thus, you cannot fully trust claims that OXO biodegradable materials are environmentally safe.

To reduce such claims made by many companies, the Federal Trade Commission in 2012 revised the green guide. It advised that biodegradable claims are accepted if companies have scientific evidence that their product will completely decompose within a short period under conventional disposal methods. Since then, FTC has cracked down on many misleading claims.

Only with proper knowledge can we choose our products wisely and get to be responsible buyers. I hope this article helps all eco-conscious consumers to live sustainably and contribute to a greener Earth.

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