PolyEarthylene™ Biodegradation
Statement 

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 kg 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.