Is mulch film biodegradable? This question is quite common, especially among those who care about nature. Biodegradable becomes one of the features that we heard about this mulch film.
Many types of materials that are difficult to decompose, leave a large carbon footprint in the environment. They harm the health of humans and other living things.
Therefore, many people are starting to switch to biodegradable materials to reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment. One of them is for the mulch film.
What does Biodegradable Mean?
Biodegradable materials are materials that can decompose naturally and are safe in certain environments. These have the potential to reduce the negative impacts of waste and support more sustainable economic growth.
It is an item that can be broken down or decomposed into smaller pieces by bacteria, fungi, or microbes. In general, biodegradability is the ability of a material to decompose naturally.
That is usually by microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi within a certain period, several months, or years. The biodegradation process produces a final product that is safe and does not pollute the environment.
In an environmental context, biodegradable materials that break down naturally can help reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment. Furthermore, it will promote a more sustainable life cycle.
So, is mulch film biodegradable? Materials that can be considered biodegradable depend on many factors. These are including the type and number of microorganisms involved in the biodegradation process.
Other factors such as the temperature and humidity of the environment, and the chemical composition of the material itself, also have their role. That is why; you should check the material first.
Is Mulch Film Biodegradable?
Some products are biodegradable and the rest are maybe not. The biodegradable one is made of polymers. These polymers can be consumed by the microbes.
The soil-biodegradable plastic mulch will break down into several substances such as water, CO2, and microbial biomass. Here are some other facts about this BDM or soil-biodegradable plastic mulch.
1. What it is made of?
This product is commonly made of materials from certain substances derived from some once-living organism. Usually, they are made from wheat or corn starches.
Usually, the law for this thing is based on the USDA Regulations about organic farms. There are some rules and standards that you need to read before using this material.
2. Example of Biodegradable Mulch
Several general bio-based feedstocks are used to make this biodegradable plastic mulch. These are polylactic acid (PLA), starch, and PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates).
Meanwhile, the paper mulch is bio-based and commonly made from cellulose. Don’t worry because usually, a factory will give a complete detail for the product.
3. How long it will be degraded?
Based on the data, the biodegradable plastic mulch can be degraded faster in compost than in soil. In compost, it may take 18 weeks to make this material 85% up to 99% degraded.
In soil, it can take up to 36 months to be fully degraded (61% – 63%). So, Is mulch film biodegradable? Yes, if you choose the variants that are designed in biodegradable type.
For more information about Plastic Mulch please contact: Whatsapp/Mobile Phone: +62 811 9151 338 (Ms. Anna) or Email :info@urbanplastic.id