Everybody wants to be environmentally friendly these days, but the question is how.
It’s not easy to see the wood for the non-degradable plastic and minimising things like carbon footprints, can be a difficult task
Well, that’s where we come in. This guide was created to help you find the eco warrior inside you so you can protect the planet for future generations.
What exactly does biodegradable mean
Biodegradable products are those that can be broken down into each of their individual components over time. Think of them a bit like Lego but with less impact on the environment… and less likely to be smashed in temper after five hours of putting together your child’s latest set only to find a piece missing. What I mean is they can be easily dissembled when their usefulness has run its course… unlike your children.
Biodegradable items are broken down organically by naturally occurring biological organisms and processes. Paper is a good example. Most paper and cardboard items will disintegrate if they are discarded and won’t clog up rivers or float around in the ocean for unsuspecting marine creatures to accidently read Archie comics.
Plastics and products made from oil are some of the least biodegradable products you can buy. Which is a sobering thought when you consider that Donald Trump’s wig will probably outlast your entire family line. Consumer packaging and disposable wrappers are the worst offenders and it’s impossible to turn on the news or documentary channels these days without seeing images of plastic floating in the sea.
But the tide is changing and people are starting to make waves by altering what they buy so they don’t leave future generations, and our beautiful planet, in deep water.
It’s time for you to stop being wet behind the ears and throw water in the face of… okay I’m done… Just buy biodegradable products to keep this world safe and clean for our children and grandchildren.
What are the benefits of purchasing biodegradable products?
Biodegradable products are becoming more and more commonplace, but it can sometimes be difficult to realise what the advantages of buying them are, so here’s a handy little guide to explain.
Biodegradable products take less energy to produce
According to recent estimates the making of biodegradable plastics takes 65% less energy to produce than oil-based ones. If you forego plastic altogether and go for products made from things like paper, starch-based wrappings, or BAMBOO then you reduce this further.
Biodegradable products create less pollution
Because biodegradable products break back down into nontoxic components, they don't harm the environment, poison water, or pollute the air. It is estimated that most plastics take up to 1,000 years to decompose. That’s a long time and with more and more plastic being created every day, our grandchildren could be forced to swim to college in a sea of happy meal toys if we don’t act now.
Compostability
Composting biodegradable products is easy due to the way they break down and the resultant humic material (WTF?) is apparently a great nutrient and water retainer for plants in your garden. Yeah, I have no idea what any of that means (I live in a single bedroom apartment whose garden is a windowsill with an almost dead Peace Lilly sat on it) but for the gardeners out there this is probably a great thing. Although, don’t Google ‘is compost poo’ (I wasn’t sure) because nobody wants to know the answer to that question.
What type of biodegradable products can you buy?
In short, most things. Nearly all plastics can be replaced with biodegradable alternatives, like BAMBOO. Things like toothbrushes, coffee cups, make up pads, earbuds, you name it. The trick is actually finding the products in the first place. This is where we come in.
Disclaimer Alert: I’m not gonna lie to you. I’m a 6’2”, 20-year-old athletic gentlemen and lying isn’t in my DNA (okay, 45 year old, 5’6”, ‘robust’ man). Elsewhere on our website you’ll find a selection of biodegradable products for purchase. We specialise in bamboo-based items because we feel that it is a great alternative to plastic and hey, we can help save the world and make a buck or two in the process.
What are the benefits of using bamboo in our products?
Bamboo has long been utilized in the making of tools, products and for the placating of large black and white bears. In tropical climates where it normally grows, it is used in things like building, manufacturing, decoration, or even as a food source.
Now-a-days, bamboo is becoming more and more popular in the west where its strength and biodegradability make it a popular replacement for plastic. But how is bamboo better for the environment than plastic? Well:
Sustainability
Bamboo is a sustainable resource. It grows at an astonishing rate and can be safely harvested without destroying the crop. This is in comparison to cutting down something like a tree which will never grow back and its replacement will take many, many years to reach maturity. Think of bamboo like your favourite child - old beyond their years and a benefit to society. Whereas wood is like your unruly child - they will take years to grow up and by that time you’ll be dead.
Strength
Bamboo has a tensile strength greater than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bicep when the stalks are cut and compressed. It isn't made to break and has the ability to bend so it can withstand fierce storms without being destroyed.
Versatility
There's are so many things that bamboo can be used for. It's strong enough to be used in construction, bendable enough to be moulded into decorative items, and light enough to raise a cheer at a weight-watchers weigh in. Hell, bamboo can be fashioned into wind turbines if you want to create sustainable energy.
Bamboo is Incredibly Green
Bamboo absorbs more CO2 and produces more oxygen than an average hardwood tree. It grows quickly and is completely biodegradable so it will disintegrate over time. I thought we’d already discussed this already…
In conclusion…
Bamboo is one of many materials being used to make biodegradable products to protect the future of our planet and the animals that live in it. Head over to our shop where you can find things like bamboo toothbrushes, bamboo ear buds, and bamboo makeup pads that will help bamboozle pollution and… Yeah, I’m done.