Vegbed, a company that produces grow mats, has recently conducted biodegradability testing on their product to ensure that they can make accurate claims about the material’s sustainability. However, Vegbed’s testing process was not just about transparency and marketing – it was also driven by a desire to create a product that could biodegrade even in traditional landfills. “The reality is that many vertical farms, despite their best intentions, send a lot of waste to traditional landfills. While some farms can compost their waste or send it to commercial facilities, not everyone has access to these options. This is where Vegbed saw an opportunity to create a product that could break down in a landfill rather than sit there for centuries as most plastics do.” mentioned Albert Lin, CEO of Vegbed
Vegbed submitted their nonwoven bamboo fiber mat sample for biodegradability testing under standard ASTM D5511 at Intertek. The test involved exposing the sample to a methanogenic inoculum derived from anaerobic digesters operating only on pretreated household waste. After just 45 days, the sample achieved a percent weight loss of 87.01%. The positive control also achieved 70.86% on the 27th day, with less than 20% of the mean difference between the replicates. These results show that Vegbed’s nonwoven bamboo fiber mat is highly biodegradable and can decompose quickly and efficiently in high-solids anaerobic digesters treating municipal solid waste.
This is excellent news for Vegbed and its commitment to developing sustainable products that are kinder to the planet. Vegbed recognizes the urgent need to address the environmental challenges we face today, which drives its focus on sustainability. As indoor and vertical farming become increasingly recognized as a viable solution to meet the growing demand for food in a world facing climate change and other sustainability challenges, it’s crucial that companies like Vegbed continue to prioritize sustainability in their products.
However, the success of products like Vegbed’s nonwoven bamboo fiber mat also depends on consumers’ willingness to properly dispose of them. It’s important to remember that even if a product is biodegradable, it must be disposed of properly to break down entirely. This means ensuring it ends up in a compost bin or a commercial composting facility rather than a traditional landfill.
In conclusion, Vegbed’s recent biodegradability testing is a significant step forward for the company and sustainable agriculture. By creating a product that can biodegrade even in traditional landfills, Vegbed is helping to reduce the environmental impact of vertical farming and other agricultural practices. However, consumers need to remember that proper disposal is critical to making these products truly sustainable.
Image provided by Vegbed