Hi all, not sure this is the right place to ask… mods, feel free to do what has to be done if not.
I’m interested is “stone paper” a kind of paper made out of calcium carbonate (from limestone or construction waste) and HDPE (High-density polypropylene).
It’s been advertised as a more eological solution for producing paper as it doesn’t requires to cut down trees and uses much less water and chemicals in the process, compared to traditional paper.
My concern in about HDPE (that represent more or less 20℅ of the final product). Most companies advertise it as a “non-toxic biodegradable” plastic. But I can not find any reliable information to back this up.
I’m then inclined to think it is just green-washing.
but still I’m wondering if anyone could bring some insight about HDPE being biodegrade …
thanks !
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is not biodegradable. HDPE is a type of plastic that is known for its durability and resistance to degradation in natural environments. It is often used for items like plastic bottles, containers, and various other products because of its robust properties. However, these same properties that make HDPE plastic so useful also mean that it does not readily break down in the environment.
To clarify, biodegradable materials are substances that can be broken down by natural processes into non-toxic components, such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, with the help of microorganisms. HDPE does not meet this criteria, and it can persist in the environment for a very long time if not properly managed through recycling or disposal in a controlled manner.
If you’re looking for more eco-friendly alternatives, you might want to consider materials like PLA (Polylactic Acid) or PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates), which are biodegradable plastics. However, it’s important to note that even biodegradable plastics may not break down in all environments and may require specific conditions to degrade effectively.