The impact of plastic waste on our environment is something we should all be concerned with.
At Bygreen we are not sitting on our hands, and have developed a range of Eco-straws that will hopefully replace the current plastic straw in time. We must look at viable solutions that will either degrade or compost helping reduce landfill, and not remain on earth as long as plastic. It is important we also look at also reducing the risk of all plastics and waste entering our waterways and marine systems. Bygreen will be looking for new products as they are developed and continue to add to our Eco-Straw Range in the future. Currently to our knowledge there are 3 options available for drinking straws that are;
• Food Safe and meets Relevant Standards covered by our HACCP Policies
• Meets Standards for Sustainability so we are not further imposing strain on our eco-systems in the manufacturing of our eco-straws
• Meets Claims and Standards that the straw is Degradable, Compostable, or Biodegradable
• Meets Customers Needs for an enjoyable drinking experience, without risk.
Our Oxo-Biodegradable Eco-Straw is the most cost effective option. A Plastic Straw with the additive “Reverte” which alters the molecular structure of the plastic, giving the end user the same experience as a normal PP straw with all liquids including high acid juices, but the added eco advantage of having an approximate lifespan of 18 months after its useful life instead of 30+ years, like a normal straw.
After an initial 48 hours of sunlight, and exposure to oxygen, the straw will begin to degrade, eventually become brittle, slowly breaking down to where it can be then be attacked in a micro-biological form, eventually degrading to CO2 and Biomass. If this straw unfortunately finds it way into an open environment, this is where its degradable properties work well. Our OXO-BIO Eco-Straws meet standards for exposing and testing plastics that degrade by a combination of Oxidisation and Biodegradation. These straws take longer to break down compared to PLA or Paper and therefore cannot be claimed as a commercially compostable straw, however once fully broken down, meet the same eco-toxicity standards as Tier 3 – Ecotoxicity in the standard EN13432. The plastic, now biomass and CO2 poses no threat to the earth, once fully broken down.
See our video of some straws we placed in our garden for testing. This is only after 3 months of direct sunlight.
MEETS STANDARDS
• ASTM D6954-04(2013) – American Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing;
• Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation;
• This covers Tier 1 – Degradability, Tier 2 – Biodegradability, Tier 3 – Eco-toxicity EN13432 – Ecotoxicity (Only);
• USA and EU FDA approvals For Plastics coming into contact with Food.