We've worked closely with our sports stick packaging supplier to remove the polyethylene (PE) plastic layers so our products are compostable and plastic-free. In order to be more ecofriendly we use plant based inks for our cardboard tubes. Using our products is a great balance between quality, and not compromising on environmental-friendliness. Our tubes are durable, and will not break down too quickly. They are strong enough to last a product's lifetime, and will not wear down until at least a year of heavy use. Once done with one of our tubes simply dispose it in the compost bin.
Polyethylene is used to enhance the bonding of plastic to paper, and is an effective polymer for binding. Despite the devastating impact these chemicals have on our environment many commercial companies use them.
The Negative Impact of PE Plastic In Landfills
Polyethylene coatings on paper or plastic typically do not break down quickly in landfills. Polyethylene is a type of plastic that is known for being durable and resistant to degradation, which is one reason it's used as a coating on paper or plastic products to provide moisture resistance and strength.
Here’s why polyethylene coatings are slow to break down in landfills:
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Chemical Structure: Polyethylene is a polymer made of long chains of repeating ethylene units, which are held together by strong bonds. These bonds are difficult for microorganisms to break apart, so polyethylene does not biodegrade easily.
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Oxygen and Moisture Limited in Landfills: In a landfill, materials are buried and compacted, creating an environment with limited oxygen and moisture. These conditions make it even harder for bacteria and other microorganisms to break down polyethylene, which requires certain environmental conditions (such as exposure to sunlight or oxygen) for decomposition to occur.
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Slow Degradation: While polyethylene is not inherently biodegradable, it can break down over time when exposed to UV light (sunlight) or heat. However, in the landfill, these factors are minimal, and the degradation process is extremely slow—often taking hundreds or even thousands of years.
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Microplastic Formation: As polyethylene slowly breaks down, it can fragment into smaller pieces, known as microplastics. These microplastics can persist in the environment and pose long-term pollution problems, especially in bodies of water and soil.
