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Biodegradable Office Products
Biodegradable Sheet ProtectorsBiodegradable Project Folders
Biodegradable Sheet Protectors and Project Folders Q & A
The EPA Terms of Environment Glossary defines biodegradable as, "Capable of decomposing under natural conditions." What happens when a biodegradable sheet protector or biodegradable project folder is buried in a landfill (anaerobic conditions)? The product biodegrades leaving only carbon dioxide and methane gas. When oxygen is present (aerobic conditions), it will biodegrade leaving only carbon dioxide and water. Is there any toxic residue as a result of the film decomposing? No. There is no toxic residue when the film decomposes. It is safe for the environment and will not cause harm to living organisms on land or in water. How long does it take to break down? The timeframe depends on environmental conditions, but a good estimate is that the sheet protector or project folder will fully degrade in two to five years in a landfill. What test method do you use to be sure they are biodegradable? ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials), one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world and a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services, has developed a standard test method for determining anaerobic (without oxygen) biodegradation of plastic materials under high-solids anaerobic-digestion conditions (in landfill conditions). It is Standard D5511-94. Lab test for ASTM D5511-94 shows that film made with the biodegradable additive used for our biodegradable sheet protectors and project folders is biodegradable in anaerobic (landfill) conditions. I need archival products. Will the products start to degrade before they are disposed of? No. In order to biodegrade, the sheet protector or project folder needs to be in constant contact with other biodegrading material like that found in a landfill. It will not degrade in warehouses, shelves, offices or homes. The products can be recycled where facilities exist that accept polypropylene. To aid in recycling, polypropylene items are typically marked with a "PP" and a "5" to identify the material. Are the products made from recycled materials? The biodegradable sheet protectors and biodegradable project folders contain approximately 18% - 24% pre-consumer trim materials that have been ground up and reused as part of a closed-loop manufacturing process. The EPA Terms of Environment Glossary defines composting as, "The controlled biological decomposition of organic material in the presence of air to form a humus-like material. Controlled methods of composting include mechanical mixing and aerating, ventilating the materials by dropping them through a vertical series of aerated chambers, or placing the compost in piles out in the open air and mixing it or turning it periodically." Under the ASTM standard for commercial composting conditions using high heat processes, a time frame of around one year is a reasonable expectation for decomposing. For non-commercial composting a reasonable expectation is two to five years. The product does not meet ASTM D6400-04 which requires that it break down in 90 days. Is the product made from renewable ingredients like corn? No. While plastic made entirely from corn (polylactic acid or pla), is used for some products, it has not been a good material for producing archival quality products that will not start degrading on their own in high heat and humidity. The products are safe. In fact, the film is FDA compliant for food contact applications.
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