Key Features of Our Biodegradable Designs:
Biodegradable Ties
Made from Polymers that Degrade in the Ambient Environment
Key Features of Our Biodegradable Designs:
BIO23: Starch-polyester rapstrap i-Tie
These biodegradable versions of our standard waste-reducing i-Tie design are made using approximately 23% renewable resource ingredients.
Particularly suitable for applications where cable ties may end up in terrestrial environments, these rapstraps work by incorporating a high level of potato starch into an instrinsically biodegradable polyester. This combination greatly increases water absorption and speeds up biodegradation times.
The last remnants of a BIO23 i-Tie after burial in damp potting compost for 1 year at ambient temperatures.
The resulting BIO23 i-Ties are generally stable above ground for 1-2 years, but will undergo gradual biodegradation once subjected to damp organic conditions.
Degradation times in the natural environment will vary, but high temperatures are not needed and samples covered in moist soil can show noticeable decomposition after just a few months.
BIO23 i-Ties have been found to break down faster if exposed to higher levels of nutrients and micro-organisms, such as found in compost. Significant decomposition in these richer organic environments can be achieved in less than a year, though full decomposition and bioassimilation in any environment may take longer.
(Note: The BIO23 compounds we use are certified to meet industrial 6 month composting standards only up to 180µm thicknesses. Whilst being intrinsically biodegradable, larger items may not completely break down in such short timeframes. See our biodegradability section for more details.)
Biodegradable and water-dispersible i-Ties are supplied in tear-off sheets of 5. (BIO23 top, SOL bottom.)
SOL: Water dispersible rapstraps
Intended mainly for indoor applications such as dry goods packaging, these biodegradable i-Ties are produced from a polymer that readily dissolves in water.
Poly vinyl alcohol (PVA/PVOH) is widely used in the paper industry, and is also found in washable glues and soluble detergent pouches.
Turning this material into soluble rapstraps is slightly more challenging than working with conventional polymers, but certain versions of PVOH can be successfully moulded into complex shapes.more
The resulting ties dissolve rapidly when placed in warm water, making them quick & easy to dispose of. The specific polymer we use also dissolves in cold water, though the process takes several hours. However, once suitably dissolved & dispersed, PVOH is capable of biodegrading in most environments.
Due to its widespread domestic use, substantial quantities of PVOH enter the waste-water system every year, where various species of micro-organisms are known to consume it. It is therefore generally considered safe for low concentrations of PVOH to be disposed of through this channel.more
A water soluble rapstrap going mouldy in a beaker of water. (Approximately 2 months at ambient temperature.)
Airborne bacteria & fungi that exist in the wider environment are also known to be capable of degrading PVOH.more Normally, they would only encounter it in very dilute solutions, but even when faced with highly concentrated amounts, microorganisms don't pass up a free lunch.
Because it is extensively used as a sizing agent in paper and card manufacturing, in principle PVOH can also be recycled through the same waste-stream, making it a very easy material to dispose of where suitable facilities exist.
On the downside, PVOH rapstraps are not generally suitable for outdoor use, and dry conditions need to be maintained prior to disposal. However, because dissolution takes some time, end-of-life use in wet environments is possible. (A common application is tying soluble bait bags for angling.)
Slime moulds are surprisingly common in the environment, but they have been little studied. Their potential role in decomposing plastics merits further investigation. (Technically they are amoebae, not fungi.)
Additional Information
The following comments provide some additional information and caveats concerning our biodegradable cable ties and biodegradable plastic products in general. Please consult the more comprehensive biodegradability section for further details.