In 2014, a team of eco-conscious Chilean scientists, entrepreneurs, and managers decided that enough was enough. They wanted to do something about the enormous plastic waste that was suffocating the Planet.
While plastic has many valuable uses, we have become addicted to single-use or disposable plastic – with severe environmental consequences.
According to the UNEP, around the world, one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, while 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. In total, half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once – and then thrown away.
The same properties that make plastics so useful – their durability and resistance to degradation – also make them nearly impossible for nature to completely break down.
UNEP says that most plastic items never fully disappear; they just get smaller and smaller. What’s worse, these tiny plastic particles are often swallowed by animals or marine life who mistake them for food. Also, by clogging sewers and providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes and pests, plastic waste can increase the transmission of diseases like malaria.
Here comes the Solution
Solubag (or water soluble bag, that’s how it got its name), is a non-polluting and biodegradable product. It is made from plastic-free materials. The bag is non-toxic and oil-free, and when it comes into touch with water, the plastic dissolves in about five minutes. The team started with trying to make a water soluble detergent. The popularity of this product sparked a slew of new ideas. And Solubag was one of them.
The bag is composed in a very innovative manner that comprises polyvinyl alcohol, and other raw materials containing limestone. Once the bag dissolves in water it releases no chemicals except a few harmless carbons. All the materials used for making the bag have been certified by the FDA.
In 2018, Solubag won the award for the best innovation in Latin America at the Summit Conference held in Chile.
The cost of manufacturing the Solubags is not expensive and can be customised for other plastic objects as well. Those in association with plastic production have the benefit to produce Solubags on the same machine they’re currently using.
The equipment used for manufacturing the non-biodegradable plastic film can also create the Solubag film.
Where can we use Solubag?
Well, some might be scared that, what if their Solubag products come in proximity during rains? They don’t have to be concerned. When the bag comes in touch with warm water, it dissolves completely.
The company also sells bags made from fabric using the same materials. The company limits itself to water-soluble plastic and fabrics. But they provide numerous ideas on the application of these plastics.
Plastic is applied in various products. They are used for packaging materials such as films for packaging clothes or some kind of rigid materials. Separate bags are always required for waste collection that including pet waste or baby wastes. Solubags are ideal for these purposes.
The film of the bag is flexible enough to make food packaging containers, hospital laundry bags, and even T-shirt bags. Water-soluble fabric produced by the company can be used in clothes manufacturing, even hair and shoe covers.
Masks are a need of time. Water-soluble fabrics can be used to prepare masks for hospitals where they need new ones on a day-to-day basis. These fabrics can also be used to prepare detergent strips.
Solubag is encouraging many plastic producers to go natural. The company is motivating them to produce more eco-friendly plastic. Solubag sells directly to retailers or their distributors.
So next time pick up a Solubag for your shopping!
