Biothene

New Bio-Degradable Polythene

How does it work?

The active agent is a metal ion and a catalyst which is added to the polythene when it is extruded. These react with sunlight and this reaction starts to break the molecular chains down in the material.

How long does it take to degrade?

This depends on the conditions the Biothene is in and the thickness of the material. If it is kept in a box out of direct sunlight and heat it can be kept for up to 18 months or more. If it is left in the open and subject to heat and light it will degrade within 18 months approx. Even if the bag is used and then put in landfill or somewhere dark it will still degrade as the process has already been triggered by the initial contact with the sunlight.

Are there any harmful residues left after it has degraded?

No. The products produced are water, carbon dioxide, and a small amount of inert mineral oxides which naturally occur in the environment such as SiO2 and Fe304 etc. These residues are non-toxic to the environment.

Are paper bags better than Biothene bags for the Environment?

No. 70% more atmospheric pollution is caused by making paper bags and 300% more energy. Also when they degrade they emit methane. Paper bags cannot be re-used as many times as Biothene bags as they are not as strong and they break down when wet. On average, it would cost approximately 7 times more to transport the same number of paper bags as it would Biothene bags due to the bulkiness of the paper bags.

Are cotton/nylon bags better than Biothene bags?

There are a lot of drawbacks with the nylon/cotton bags. Firstly their convenience. It is not always possible to have one or enough of them when you are out shopping. Many people shop spontaneously and it is not always possible to have them to hand. They are also a lot bulkier than Biothene bags and carrying a large number of these to do your weekly shopping is also inconvenient. Finally these bags are not waterproof and items inside can possibly get damaged.

How does it differ in looks and feel to normal polythene?

Biothene differs only in that it has a very slight brown tint. It is not noticeable on individual bags but can be seen if stacked together. Otherwise it has the same strength, feel and other properties of normal polythene.

Can it be recycled?

Because the material degrades there is no need for it to be recycled. It is a material which can be re-used multiple times and then left to degrade afterwards.

Where is it made?

At present it is manufactured in the UK only under licence. Therefore you can be assured of making a small carbon footprint in purchasing Biothene bags.

Contact us now for a highly competitive quote on Biothene bags!