The plastics industry today has converged on a common vision to develop and
utilize plastics, whenever possible, that are environmentally friendly to our planet.
Recent concerns related to global warming and the high cost of fuel have pushed
environmental issues forward with suppliers, distributors and end users alike.
According to a recent study by Information Resources, Inc., half of all consumers
surveyed are now considering at least one sustainability factor when selecting
brands to buy or stores in which to shop. These factors have driven the industry to find
"greener" solutions.
Our BioGreen BottlesTM made from low density poly ethylene (LDPE) plastic with
EcoPure additive is the best "green" solution available for sports bottles. This additive creates an
accelerated biodegradable cycle which occurs in the common anaerobic environment you find in landfills or
compost facilities. EcoPure additive is completely organic, non-starch based and non-destructive to the
environment. EcoPure is Non-toxic and actually helps the environment. The final product left behind with
EcoPure is Humus and Methane (Bio-Mass and Bio-gas). The humus can be used as new soil to grow plants
in and the methane may be harvested into fuel.
BioGreen BottlesTM do not begin biodegrading until they are placed into an active microbial environment such as
landfills or compost piles. The bio-active compounds are activated in the presence of naturally occurring organisms
found in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. The process takes from approximately 1-5 years.
Degradable means the plastic is only broken down into smaller pieces and will never completely disappear; this is
the case with starch based plastics. However this is not the case with EcoPure. Biodegradation is the secretion
of acids which break down the molecular structure and emit either Methane Gas or CO2 and leave behind highly
nitrous soil. The entire mass must be broken down into these 3 things to be considered biodegradable. By this
definition BioGreen BottlesTM made with EcoPure are biodegradable.
The phases of the biodegrading process are described in detail
below:
Aerobic Phase (first few days in landfill) - Period when aerobic
microbes are becoming established and moisture is building up in
the refuse. While standard plastic absorption capability is relatively
small, EcoPure additive causes further swelling, weakening the
polymer bonds and creating molecular spaces where moisture and
microbial growth can rapidly begin the aerobic degradation process.
Oxygen is replaced with CO2.
Anaerobic, Non-methanogenic Phase (roughly 2 weeks to 6
months) - After O2 concentrations have declined sufficiently, the anaerobic processes begin. During the initial stage (hydrolysis), the microbe colonies eat the particulates, and
through an enzymatic process, solubilize large polymers down into simpler monomers. The secreted
monomers mix with the organic additive, causing additional swelling and opening of the polymer chain and
increased quorum sensing. This further excites the microbes to increase their colonization and consumption
of the polymer chain. As time progresses, acidogenesis occurs where the simple monomers are converted
into fatty acids. CO2 production occurs rapidly at this stage.
Anaerobic, Methanogenic Unsteady Phase (6 to 18 months) - The microbe colonies continue to grow, eating
away at the polymer chain and creating increasingly larger molecular spaces. During this phase, acetogenesis
occurs where fatty acids are converted into acetic acid, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. As this process
continues,CO2 rates decline and H2 production eventually ceases.
Anaerobic, Methanogenic Steady Phase (1 year to 5 years) - The final stage of decomposition involves methanogensis.
As colonies of microbes continue to eat away at the remaining surface of the polymer,
acetates are converted into methane and carbon dioxide, while hydrogen is consumed. The process continues
until the only remaining element is humus. This highly nutritional soil creates and improved environment for
the microbes and enhances the final stage of decomposition.
