Environmentally friendly platics for the future of our planet

Labplas launched back in 2008 the first patented ecological sampling bag, the Twirl’em Ecolo bag. To this day, it remains the only biodegradable sterile sampling bag on the market. Standard plastic can take anywhere from 10 to 1,000 years to degrade depending on the exposition of plastic to certain criteria and their nature as reported by different literatures.

In the sampling market, material choices are limited due to the industry’s particular requirements and specific needs. The most widespread sampling options are: containers, which can be made of glass or plastic, and sterile sampling bags. To solve environmental issues, glass containers may seem like the best option, however this is not actually the case. Glassware has disadvantages; it breaks more easily, is heavier during transportation, takes up space during storage and transportation and takes energy to clean and re-sterilise, where the sterilisation process is not necessarily validated. Also, the washing process can be tedious and dangerous if done inappropriately, since it will usually include the manipulation of acids such as hydrochloric acid. These acids can be dangerous not only for the person handling the chemical, but also harmful to the environment, consequently causing not only economical but also ecological issues.

Plastic, on the other hand, is versatile, affordable, robust, light, flexible and stable. While these properties are very much appreciated and needed during its lifespan, they become unwanted when disposed of. Thanks to recent researches and findings, we are now able to modify the molecular chains of plastics so that they will not reside in the environment for long periods of time once they have served their purpose. This is why, since 2008, Labplas provides an ecological option with the Twirl’em Ecolo line of product. These bags offer the same convenient characteristics as the Twirl’em line of product made entirely of low density polyethylene (LDPE) but are biodegradable.

What is ‘Biodegradability’?

Biodegradability is defined by a material’s ability to decompose after interactions with biological elements. The Twirl’em Ecolo sampling bags benefit from an additive that is incorporated with the pellets during the fabrication process of plastic extrusion. In turn, this helps breakdown the carbon polychain of polyethylene that accelerates its biodegradation in landfill. The modified LDPE can biodegrade within 9 months to 5 years when subjected to anaerobic biodegradation, turning the Twirl’em Ecolo sampling bags into carbon dioxide, methane and hummus. This process is selective and will only start once all the required characteristics and microorganisms are found in its surrounding environment. Therefore, it is important to understand that the biodegradation process only begins once the bag is put in a landfill. For this reason, the Twirl’em Ecolo sampling bags still have the same guarantee of sterility and expiry date as the Twirl’em line of products. The Twirl’em Ecolo sampling bags retain all the advantageous properties of LDPE such as flexibility, strength, elasticity and resistance, making the change to the Twirl’em Ecolo bags a transparent process for our customers. The Twirl’em Ecolo sampling bags are patented and have been tested following the standard testing methods ASTM D5511 and ASTM D5526, which simulates its degradability in a landfill bioreactor and in a municipal landfill, respectively.

A study has found that if society continues to consume the same amount of plastic, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. LABPLAS has always cared about its community and its surrounding environment and has decided to support advances for a better future. With the sampling market not going away anytime soon, Labplas still wants to offer high quality solutions that require no change on the sampling and testing process, but has a positive impact on the environment. Together, let’s make a difference!

Let’s take action today; contact our Labplas Team or visit our website for more information www.labplas.com.