Objectives
Bonnie Biodegradable (Pty) Ltd T/A BonnieBio endeavors to make a difference with our internationally certified compostable corn starch products. Our range includes compostable multi-purpose bags (good for doggy doo,
used nappies, sanitary and medical waste), home compostable refuse bags in various sizes,
compostable cling wrap, compostable cutlery, as well as our PLA straws of various sizes.
Our products are all made from natural corn and vegetable ingredients with no chemical additives to ensure non-toxicity and allow for complete composting and biodegradability, yet they are as sturdy as traditional plastic. They are incredibly environmentally friendly as they break down back to CO2, water and biomass, which are renewable resources and they don’t leach any toxins into the environment whilst breaking down. We even use soy-based ink to print, which is eco-friendly.
WHY BONNIEBIO IS HERE
Since the invention of petroleum-based plastic, around 165 million tonnes of it has been reported to find its way in our oceans. Estimates suggest that more than 8 million tonnes of plastic currently end up in our oceans each year and that number is growing.
The research shows that up to 50% of plastic is used only once and then thrown away and that we’re only recycling 9% of the plastic we’re using. Traditional petroleum-based plastic not only takes up to 500 years to decompose but also leaches toxic chemicals into the environment while decomposing. We are slowly ruining our planet and it’s time to change this.
Educational videos worth watching: Plastic in Landfills | Plastic in Oceans
BonnieBio wants to make a difference. We believe that the use of our certified compostable and biodegradable products will contribute to the sustainability of the planet for our current and future generations by offering alternative options to petroleum-based plastics, without compromising the useful need for plastic-type materials.
Our products are toxin-free & environmentally kind.
CORN STARCH PLA PRODUCTS EXPLAINED
As the name implies, corn starch biodegradable & compostable products are made from corn starch. PLA (polyactic acid) is typically made from the sugars in corn starch (as is the case with Bonnie Bio’s certified compostable & biodegradable plastic alternatives range), cassava or sugarcane. It is biodegradable, carbon-neutral and edible. To transform corn into plastic, corn kernels are immersed in sulfur dioxide and hot water, where its components break down into starch, protein, and fiber.
The starch is comprised of long chains of carbon molecules, similar to the carbon chains in plastic from fossil fuels. Biodegradable plastics take three to six months to decompose fully. That’s much quicker than synthetic counterparts
that can take several hundred years. Exactly how long a biodegradable product takes to break down depends
on various factors, such as temperature, the amount of moisture and oxygen present.
PRODUCT LIFESPAN
- How quickly our product degrades is totally reliant on the
environmental conditions previously mentioned: heat,
oxygen, water. - High temperatures, oxygen rich environments and exposure
to the sun’s UV will accelerate the degradation process. - Alternately, storing them in a cool, dark place or a freezer
will slow or completely stop this process. - The in store shelf life of our product is 8 12 months from
production to ensure we are selling the best possible product
to consumers. However, it will last much longer if stored
correctly once purchased. - To keep our products for as long as possible, we recommend
that consumers store them in a cool, dark place.