world changing solutions
At Bison, we utilize a revolutionary organic ingredient
that functions as an effective and affordable solution
to plastics in our environment.
A Revolutionary
New Technology
Plastic takes centuries to decompose. We can reduce this to just a few years.
We utilize an organic ingredient that can be added to plastic during the manufacturing process.
This ingredient attracts bacteria in landfills, soil, and marine environments, enabling them to consume discarded plastic.
Zero Microplastics Left Behind
Once the treated plastics are digested, the only remaining byproducts are biogas and biomass, effectively compost.
This ingredient is ASTM D5511 certified for anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials and has also undergone FDA and EU food safety tests, meeting all the necessary requirements.
Better Plastics mean a Better World
Products made with this revolutionary organic ingredient look and function the same as untreated plastics in terms of:
– Strength
– Flexibility
– Shelf-Stability
Best of all, they remain completely recyclable and should be recycled whenever possible.
Beyond Plastic
This ingredient is not just suitable for plastics, but has proven effective at breaking down a variety of other substances as well, including:
– Rubber
– Foam
– Synthetic fabrics
– Various coatings
This means it has the potential to tackle so much more than just plastic pollution.
A More Technical Look
This 100% organic ingredient attracts microbes within microbe-rich environments like soil, landfills, and oceans. After a treated plastic product ends up in the environment, these microbes immediately begin colonizing on the surface.
Next, the microbes next begin secreting an enzyme that renders the plastic hydrophilic. As a result, a bio-film begins to form on the product’s surface. The microbes then hydrolyze the plastic using a combination of secreted enzymes and water.
As the individual polymer chains break down into single monomers, the microbes consume the polymer matrix. During this process, the microbes send out a signal that they have found a source of food. This attracts even more microbes to feed on the plastic mass, accelerating the breakdown further.
By the completion of the process, most of the CO2 and other materials formed during the earlier stages have been consumed. The result is mostly methane, which users can capture for clean energy.
1. How is it added to plastic?
The additive is a “drop-in polymer.” This means that incorporation takes place during the manufacturing process in the same way one might add colorant.
2. Is it recyclable?
Yes! Treated plastics are completely recyclable and should be recycled whenever possible.
3. What about microplastics?
The ingredient is third-party certified to leave behind zero microplastics! The additive not only makes plastic more “appetizing” so that the microbes break it down faster, it ensures that only biogas and biomass are left behind.
Compliance
The additive has completed the ASTM D5511 – Anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under high solids, anaerobic digestion conditions. This is the equivalent to the ISO 15985 & EN 15985.
It has also completed the following ASTM Certifications:
– D5526-18 – Accelerated Biodegradation in Landfill Conditions
– D5988 – Soil Biodegradation Certification
– D5338 – Composting Biodegradation Certification
– D6691-17 – Marine Certification
– E1963 Terrestrial Plant Toxicity Test
– Toxicity testing to show no micro-plastics remaining after biodegradation:
– OECD 207 Earthworm Acute Toxicity Tests
– OECD 208 Terrestrial Plant Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test
Additional Compliance – FDA Approved, Intertek Green Leaf Biodegradation Certified, EU Reach, & EFSA. In addition, treated plastics have undergone FDA and EU food safety tests, meeting all the necessary requirements.