What are dissolvable (water soluble) plastics?

Dissolvable plastics are made from hydrophilic (water-loving), soluble materials that allow them to dissolve and break down after use.

The first time we saw dissolvable plastics, we recognised their potential to eliminate plastic pollution. However, we knew we needed to find a range that could match conventional plastics in their functionality, whilst leaving zero trace at the end of their lives. 

How does Zero Pac’s dissolvable packaging differ to other water solubles?

Many dissolvable bags and other packaging are made from starch-based materials. However, these disintegrate quickly, lacking strength and start to break down with a few drops of water. 

Zero Pac’s range of water-soluble packaging however, is made from a material range called Hydropol. Its manufacturer used 10+ years of R&D to re-engineer dissolvable plastic at a molecular level. This means it can be used in packaging manufacturers’ current machines to produce bags, coated paper and nonwoven wipes that have the same strength and functionality as you are used to from conventional plastics. It also means that we can match the grades used to applications – for example:

• Cytotoxic laundry bags dissolve in hot 70C washes (the protocol temperature for washing infectious laundry)
• Paper coatings on chip packets and chocolate wrappers dissolve off in paper recycling mill’s 40C prewash
• Flushable wipes dissolve in the cold water flush of a lavatory. 

What happens to the packaging once it’s dissolved?

Zero Pac’s water soluble plastic dissolves like sugar in water. Once in solution, it is then “eaten” (processed) by the wastewater system microbes.  

Watch how Zero Pac’s water soluble plastic dissolves!

Zero Pac's water soluble plastic range has formulas that dissolve at different temperatures to suit different applications. 

Does Zero Pac’s water soluble plastic leave harmful microplastics*?

No. 

Traditional plastics breakdown into smaller and smaller particles, that are expected to persist in the environment for millions of years. Their hydrophobic nature means that these micro-particles absorb and concentrate toxins.

However, Zero Pac’s dissolvable plastics range is made from a hydrophilic, water-soluble polymer. It is inherently biodegradable meaning that when it is given the right balance of environment and microbial presence, it will break down into carbon dioxide, water and mineralised natural biomass.

This means it will not form or leave microplastics when it is dissolved into solution. 

When Zero Pac’s water-soluble material breaks down from a solid form (on land or water), it turns into smaller and smaller particles but without the formation of toxins or the subsequent absorption of toxins associated with traditional plastics. These small particles will not persist in the environment as they continue to biodegrade until they convert into carbon dioxide, water and mineralised natural biomass.

The effect of Zero Pac’s water-soluble material in the ocean has been researched. Its toxicology testing used standardised marine fauna and no deleterious effects were found.

* Microplastics are simply small pieces of plastic, defined in 2009 as “plastic particles smaller than 5mm in size”. 

Can Zero Pac’s water-soluble plastics be recycled?

Yes, it can be readily identified by sorting methods such as infra-red and laser sorting and can therefore be separated and reprocessed. 

In less sophisticated waste handling facilities, the use of a hot water wash enables the dissolvable material to be taken into solution. Once in solution the polymer can either be recovered or the solution allowed to go to normal wastewater treatment or anaerobic digestion.

Is it biodegradable?

Yes. By its nature Zero Pac’s water-soluble plastic is inherently biodegradable and there is a large amount of historical work undertaken by academic and other researchers as well as its manufacturer in this area detailing the microorganisms which breakdown the polymer in various conditions.

If a turtle eats a Zero Pac water soluble bag, what happens?

Whilst it wouldn’t be as tasty or nutritious, the water soluble material would be digested like its usual food.  The work undertaken so far by independent laboratories including the OK Marine certification scheme indicates that our dissolvables are non-toxic to marine species which would include turtles. The mechanism of breakdown would also decrease the possibility of the turtle accumulating levels which would be harmful unlike most conventional plastics.

What types of water soluble packaging are in Zero Pac’s dissolvable range?

• blown film – e.g. for laundry bags, cytotoxic laundry bags, food waste bags suitable for digesters, retail carrier bags, cement additive bags
• extrusion coatings onto paper e.g. for packaging such as chip packets and chocolate wrappers
• nonwoven fibres e.g. for applications such as personal and disinfectant wipes.