PolyEarthylene's PEL IP 335's biodegradation activity does
not initiate until it's in a terrestrial and aquatic environments or landfills.

PolyEarthylene is engineered with properties that encourage microbial
attachment starting at the surface. The microbes consume and metabolize the
material, which transforms the polymer into CO2, CH4, biomass and water. Our proprietary biodegradation technology contains no oxo-degradable
additives and are up to 30% more cost effective than current biobased options.

Below are the steps for breakdown: 

1.      Regular use:
PolyEarthylene processes and performs like a standard polyolefin, maintains
shelf stability

and will not degrade during storage or regular use.

2.      Disposal: After the
product is used for its intended purpose of soil erosion

blankets and mats or disposed of, naturally-occurring microbes will begin the
biodegradation process.

3.      Biofilm Formation:
PolyEarthylene is engineered with hydrophilic components that operate at the material surface and facilitate microbial attachment. The microbes colonize the surface of the polymer. Through rapid proliferation and production of extracellular enzymes, they form a structured and resilient biofilm.

4.     Microbial Proliferation: After biofilm formation, the microbes begin consuming the plastic polymer chains. Oxidizing enzymes promote polymeric chain scission, molecular weight reduction and the formation of degradable short-chain oligomers. As the microbes consume and metabolize the material, it transforms from plastic into CO2, CH4, water and the next generation of microbes.

5.     End of Life: The
total plastic mass is degraded into natural, nontoxic products and
mineral components are returned to the soil. Complete breakdown of
PolyEarthylene is achieved without the formation of microplastics.
Compared to conventional polyethylene, PolyEarthylene materials present
considerably less potential for microplastic generation due to their
reduced time in the environment at end of life and Verde's microbial
enzyme-based biodegradation mechanism. In this case, after disposal the material softens into a lower molecular weight wax and is consumed from the surface to the plastic interior. During the process, the material remains
relatively soft and compliant and less susceptible to embrittlement and
fragmentation, which is a known pathway to generation of microplastic particles. 

PolyEarthylene™ Microplastic Particles Statement Compared to conventional polyethylene, PolyEarthylene materials present considerably less
potential for microplastic generation due to their reduced time in
the environment at end of life and
Verde's microbial enzyme-based biodegradation mechanism. In this case, after disposal the material softens into a lower molecular weight wax and is consumed from the surface to the plastic interior. During the process, the material remains relatively soft and compliant and less
susceptible to embrittlement and fragmentation, which is a known pathway to
generation of microplastic particles. 

PolyEarthylene™ Carbon Impact Statement 

Without a full & rigorous life cycle analysis, we
can offer the follow semi-quantitative assessment of the carbon footprint of our typical biodegradable formulations based on existing LCA data available on the components used to manufacture PolyEarthylene bio-based resins:  

The Carbon Impact of a conventional petroleum based homopolymer polypropylene has a typical value of 2.0 k CO2eq/kg. In comparison, a typical example of Verde’s PEL IP 335 which is biobased and biodegradable grade of PolyEarthylene has a carbon footprint to be approximately 0.3 to 0.9 kg CO2eq/kg.

PolyEarthylene™ Biobased Statement 

All Verde Bioresins, Inc. polymers contain specific
percentages of biobased content.

These materials are derived from renewable biological sources rather than fossil fuels. PEL IP 335 has a biobased content of around 45%.

PolyEarthylene™ Prop 65 Statement

PEL IP 335 complies with California Proposition regulations, ensuring adherence to the state's regulatory standards for chemical safety. 

PolyEarthylene™ Heavy Metals Statement

Verde Bioresins does not intentionally add any materials or
formulate with components containing heavy metal substances (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, chromium) for the manufacture, storage and packaging of PolyEarthylene resin grade, PEL IP 335. To the best of our knowledge, all
components in the product formulation contain no residues of heavy metals
exceeding the tolerances set out by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA).

PolyEarthylene™ PFAS Statement

Verde Bioresins does not intentionally add any materials or
formulate with components containing perfluoroalkyl, or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during the manufacture, storage and packaging of PolyEarthylene resin grade, PEL IP 335.