Tarpaulin has never been off the list of materials that are important in today’s speedy world for protection and makeshift storage areas. They are extensively applied in the construction, agriculture, and transportation industries since Tarpaulin is cheap, easy to use, and a very flexible cover material for use.
Nonetheless, similar to other products made from plastics, traditional tarpaulin has a major disadvantage because it is not biodegradable. This brings us to a very important question; Is there an environment-friendly tarpaulin?
The Effects of the Traditional Tarpaulin on the Environment
Tarpaulin covers are normally produced using polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP materials and are non-recyclable materials. Once these materials have been consumed and thrown away, they do not degrade and site intact in the ecosystem for up to 200 years. This makes a major problem for ecosystems as not only do the natural areas become spoiled by looking ugly because of plastics, but the wildlife and water bodies as well are in a way spoiled.
An uneasy discovery shows that when tarpaulin left out in the open gets some sunshine, it disintegrates into microplastics that enter the food chain after being consumed by marine life. This poses a major risk to the marine ecosystem and therefore the life of human beings who depend on the organisms. In addition, there is also the nonbiodegradable tarpaulin which contributes to the formation of wastes and use up of space on the land that could be useful for other developments.
The Use Of Biodegradable Tarpaulin Materials
Given the impact that traditional tarpaulin has on the environment, scientists and manufacturer of this product have been researching for more sustainable and biodegradable tarpaulin material. Some of the most promising options include:
1. Bioplastics
Bioplastics are plastics composed of bio-based materials that originate from the Biosphere, including starch, sugar, cellulose and other related products. They are biodegradable, compostable and reusable making them perfect to replace the current non-biodegradable tarpaulin we use. Nonetheless, to manufacture bioplastic, one requires resources, and sometimes the resultant products can take centuries to disintegrate naturally; therefore, there is a need to dig deeper into this solution.
2. Natural Fibers
Another good candidate for biodegradable tarpaulin can be sourced from plant fibers, which include jute, cotton, or flax fibers. These materials are eco-friendly, recyclable, and possess excellent endurance and finality to UV radiation. They can be integrated into tarpaulin materials and endowed with non-toxic water-repellent materials. Although natural fibers are not able to completely replace synthetic materials in tarpaulin manufacturing, they help to minimize the negative effects on the environment.
3. Hemp-Based Tarpaulin
Hemp-based tarpaulin is another credible contender for the creation of a biodegradable solution. Hemp fibers are also very strong and resistant to UV light and water, and its effects proved long-lasting, so the material was highly durable. They also can easily be grown since they don’t need much water, pesticides, or even fertilizers. Hemp-based tarpaulin has the advantages of being recyclable and with wooden fibers added it can provide temporary protection and storage in the sense that it can be covered with a biodegradable coating.
Talks on the Problems of Formulating Biodegradable Tarpaulin
Despite the availability of several viable choices for the development of the fabrication of biodegradable Heavy Duty Tarpaulin, a few factors persist that hamper their implementation. These include:
Durability: Biodegradable materials are also unlikely to be as tough as conventional tarpaulin; their applications would be somewhat restricted.
Cost: Biodegradable tarpaulin when produced can cost more than conventional tarpaulin. Potential ways to cut costs in the future might include improved organization of manufacturing that could cut production costs.
Standardization: The biodegradable tarpaulin market is not very standardized as many companies that manufacture such products can easily mislead their clients by providing them with non-recyclable products in the name of environmentally friendly. One way to demystify this area is to build a standard certification or labeling mechanism that is understandable across the globe.
Public Awareness: Consumers should be enlightened on the environmentally friendly aspects of biodegradable tarpaulin and encouraged to demand the product in order to influence manufacturers to develop means of mass production.
Conclusion
Hence, biodegradable tarpaulin as a product may not be such a perfect policy but it has the potential of serving as a breakthrough towards eradicating plastic products in the market. This is an innovative product and although further advancements continue to be made, we can hope that in the future there will be available tarpaulin which is more environmentally friendly.
As consumers, we also have a huge responsibility to ensure that this change comes into fashion by focusing on buying biodegradable and natural products wherever possible. Also passing legislation that will encourage the use of biodegradable Tarpaulin Sheet can also go a long way to improve the sustainability standards of most organizations.
Therefore, it can be attested that there is much more to be achieved, but biodegradable tarpaulin is a promising shift that allows overcoming the ecological issues tied to plastic tarpaulin’s use. It has enabled one to identify different kinds of material and try to come up with new and better materials through new and better ways of production to have an eco-friendly material to make things with a long-lasting effect on the virgin environment for future generations.
Comments