Plastics vs Bio-plastics - 3 min Read
And why we don't use them at ShearWater Eco Ltd...
We all know that plastic pollution is killing our planet and own health; with consumers looking for plastic free solutions. Our Tŷ Môr (House of Sea in Welsh) toilet rolls are plastic free and as a company, we at ShearWater Eco Ltd have made the decision not to use bio-plastics as well in our toilet roll products or any thereafter.
It is important to understand the different types of plastics, their recycle capabilities and the effect that they have on the environment and your health. We will publish individual articles about each specific plastic, it's uses, effects and conclusions. Sign up to our free monthly giveaways to win a box of Ty Mor, 48 toilet rolls and you will also receive our very informative blog posts, regular discounts and first pick on new products.
General Overview: Plastics
Plastics are made from the hydrocarbons that are found in the raw materials from the oil and gas industry, including coal. These hydrocarbons are chains of like molecules that are linked together and are called polymers. This is why many plastics begin with "poly," such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene. Polymers often are made of carbon and hydrogen and sometimes oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine, fluorine, phosphorous, or silicon. Did you know that most textiles contain polymers too? Poly cotton is one such textile probably found in every household in the world, these textiles contain microplastics and when you wash them, they leak into the ground water and end up contaminating the oceans and our drink water.
General Overview: Bio-Plastics
Bio-plastic simply refers to plastic made from plant or other biological material instead of petroleum. It is also often called bio-based plastic. Most bioplastics are made from trees (wood cellulose), corn (maize starch) and potatoes. There are several issues with using these types of plastics, the first being the fact that wood cellulose plastics need very specific conditions in order to biodegrade, they cannot be recycled and no country in the world actually has built the facility to process these plastics which now end up in landfill and in our oceans. In essence, these plastics are not much better than petroleum based plastics.
With regards to corn and potatoes starch plastics, whilst these promote the ability to decompose naturally, there are several issues with using staple food to make single use plastic and absolutely no justification for this. Most 2nd and 3rd world countries and even 1st world countries use these staple crops for food & fodder. Using compostable starch from food hikes up the global prices and in turn, we can cause severe food shortages and hunger in the future, with people not being able to afford basic, staple crops. Also, we need proper research into the effects after the biodegradation of these plastics as they still require a polymer to attach themselves too.
The future is plastic free:
Plastic was invented in the 1950's and over the past 70 years it has been left free to run rampant on our environment and health. At ShearWater Eco, we pride ourselves in finding viable, inexpensive ways of creating plastic free products that are affordable to everyone. We aim to provide the market with zero waste, refill and carbon neutral products that you are able to home compost, reuse, or send for recycling. None of our products or packaging will ever end up in landfill, which is our promise to you and to the Earth. We believe that the more people who use eco friendly products, the more positive impact we will have on the natural world around us.
For more information on how you can help or become a more eco-conscious warrior, have a look at our list of charities and contact them directly,
https://www.shearwatereco.com/our-story/what-we-do.
Alternatively if you are a grassroots charity or an individual with a bright idea on how to save the environment, email us at: charity@shearwatereco.com and we will look into how we can support your cause or idea. Remember to sign up to our free monthly giveaways and more to win our fabulous plastic free, zero waste toilet rolls made from natural grass fibres.
We all know that plastic pollution is killing our planet and own health; with consumers looking for plastic free solutions. Our Tŷ Môr (House of Sea in Welsh) toilet rolls are plastic free and as a company, we at ShearWater Eco Ltd have made the decision not to use bio-plastics as well in our toilet roll products or any thereafter.
It is important to understand the different types of plastics, their recycle capabilities and the effect that they have on the environment and your health. We will publish individual articles about each specific plastic, it's uses, effects and conclusions. Sign up to our free monthly giveaways to win a box of Ty Mor, 48 toilet rolls and you will also receive our very informative blog posts, regular discounts and first pick on new products.
General Overview: Plastics
Plastics are made from the hydrocarbons that are found in the raw materials from the oil and gas industry, including coal. These hydrocarbons are chains of like molecules that are linked together and are called polymers. This is why many plastics begin with "poly," such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene. Polymers often are made of carbon and hydrogen and sometimes oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine, fluorine, phosphorous, or silicon. Did you know that most textiles contain polymers too? Poly cotton is one such textile probably found in every household in the world, these textiles contain microplastics and when you wash them, they leak into the ground water and end up contaminating the oceans and our drink water.
General Overview: Bio-Plastics
Bio-plastic simply refers to plastic made from plant or other biological material instead of petroleum. It is also often called bio-based plastic. Most bioplastics are made from trees (wood cellulose), corn (maize starch) and potatoes. There are several issues with using these types of plastics, the first being the fact that wood cellulose plastics need very specific conditions in order to biodegrade, they cannot be recycled and no country in the world actually has built the facility to process these plastics which now end up in landfill and in our oceans. In essence, these plastics are not much better than petroleum based plastics.
With regards to corn and potatoes starch plastics, whilst these promote the ability to decompose naturally, there are several issues with using staple food to make single use plastic and absolutely no justification for this. Most 2nd and 3rd world countries and even 1st world countries use these staple crops for food & fodder. Using compostable starch from food hikes up the global prices and in turn, we can cause severe food shortages and hunger in the future, with people not being able to afford basic, staple crops. Also, we need proper research into the effects after the biodegradation of these plastics as they still require a polymer to attach themselves too.
The future is plastic free:
Plastic was invented in the 1950's and over the past 70 years it has been left free to run rampant on our environment and health. At ShearWater Eco, we pride ourselves in finding viable, inexpensive ways of creating plastic free products that are affordable to everyone. We aim to provide the market with zero waste, refill and carbon neutral products that you are able to home compost, reuse, or send for recycling. None of our products or packaging will ever end up in landfill, which is our promise to you and to the Earth. We believe that the more people who use eco friendly products, the more positive impact we will have on the natural world around us.
For more information on how you can help or become a more eco-conscious warrior, have a look at our list of charities and contact them directly,
https://www.shearwatereco.com/our-story/what-we-do.
Alternatively if you are a grassroots charity or an individual with a bright idea on how to save the environment, email us at: charity@shearwatereco.com and we will look into how we can support your cause or idea. Remember to sign up to our free monthly giveaways and more to win our fabulous plastic free, zero waste toilet rolls made from natural grass fibres.
Well descried, i really appreciate you for this blog. This blog is going to encourage people for plastic free products and save the environment. Thanks for the share buddy!!