Ecoglitter versus traditional glitter?
Current glitters use various petroleum based plastics, such as Mylar, for their glitter base which do not easily decompose. Those plastics have a micro thin coating of aluminum for reflection combined with various dyes and adhesives to affix it to the plastic film.
Ecoglitter currently uses plant based bioplastic (cellulose or starch depending on individual product) as the base material for our glitter. This bioplastic is certified compostable to ASTM D6400 (US) and the more stringent EN13432 (EU) which requires material to compost in a similar fashion and timeline as leaves or other similar plant material.
Ecoglitter currently uses plant based bioplastic (cellulose or starch depending on individual product) as the base material for our glitter. This bioplastic is certified compostable to ASTM D6400 (US) and the more stringent EN13432 (EU) which requires material to compost in a similar fashion and timeline as leaves or other similar plant material.
Ecoglitter has a thin layer of aluminum (the third most common element on earth) that gives it the sparkly reflection. The aluminum partially coats the cellulose particle leaving a portion of the bioplastic exposed to the environment allowing natural decomposition.
Aluminum, being an element, erodes as it cannot decompose any further.
The FDA approved pigments in Ecoglitter vary in composition based on color. This is a small amount, approximately 4%, of the glitter particle.
We worked with the manufacturer and conducted biodegradation testing through an ISO compliant third party laboratory. Bacteria converted 93% of Ecoglitter material into CO2 during the decomposition process using the
ISO 14855-1 test protocol.
Unfortunately the recreational use of glitter (arts and crafts, festivals, DIY costumes etc.) is a very small niche in the greater glitter economy. Formally certifying the Ecoglitter product line is a lower priority in relation to their higher volume industrial clients (greeting cards, cosmetics, commercial paints, etc.) due to the substantial time and expense. The certification expense is magnified because the standards require every Ecoglitter color variation be tested separately due to differing dye composition.
If you made it this far we genuinely thank you for your interest.
The following link has more detailed information about the EN 13432 standard for compostable products. http://www.organics-recycling.org.uk/uploads/article1983/EN%2013432%20Compostable%20Products%20and%20Packaging.pdf