what does ‘biodegradable’ mean and are biodegradable wipes flushable?

• 1. What does biodegradable mean

• 2. What is biodegradable plastic

• 3. Biodegradable vs compostable vs recyclable

• 4. If biodegradable baby wipes are flushable

• 5. How biodegradable products should be disposed of

• 6. If WaterWipes products are biodegradable

1. What does biodegradable mean?

When a substance or object is biodegradable, it can be broken down naturally by temperature, sunlight or microorganisms such as bacteria. This means it won’t clog up landfill forever.

For a product to be certified biodegradable, it must decompose into natural elements within a reasonably short period of time – typically under a year.

2. What is biodegradable plastic?

While most things will break down eventually, some take a lot longer than others. A paper towel will decompose in two to four weeks¹, for example, but a plastic drinks bottle made from petroleum by-products can take upwards of 450 years ².

Biodegradable plastics, by contrast, can take just three to six months to decompose fully – if conditions are right. Mainly made from plant-based sources, they are designed to break up when exposed to the presence of microorganisms.

3. Biodegradable vs compostable vs recyclable – what’s the difference?

• Biodegradable

  As described above, products that are biodegradable decompose naturally when exposed to temperature, sunlight or microorganisms.

• Compostable

  If something is compostable, it means it is made of organic matter and can be broken down quickly into non-toxic, nutrient-rich soil conditioner (i.e. compost). To achieve this, however, special composting conditions are required.

• Recycling

  Recycling is the process of converting used waste (for example, glass or plastic drinks bottles) into new products and materials.

4. Are biodegradable baby wipes flushable?

Flushing baby wipes – even biodegradable baby wipes – down the toilet is a big no-no. They take a long time to decompose in a sewerage system environment and consequently clog up pipes and machinery. They are also harmful to wildlife, who often mistake them for food.

5. How should biodegradable products be disposed of?

Biodegradable products are designed to break down on landfill, so should be disposed of with your general household rubbish.

6. Are WaterWipes products biodegradable?

Yes, from September 2021 our baby wipes are now made with biodegradable material so now WaterWipes has 100% biodegradable, cruelty free, vegan and compostable baby wipes. Our wipes still contain minimal ingredients to clean you or your baby’s skin, but now they’re plant-based and better for the planet. Although we’re proud to say our wipes are made with biodegradable material, we’re still working hard on making our packaging recyclable. WaterWipes are currently trialling some options and we're confident that in near future we will find a solution that protects the purity of our product and protects the environment.

Now that you know what biodegradable means and whether WaterWipes products are biodegradable, why not check out our other articles on our Parenting Hub where we discuss a range of topics, from family work and life balance to baby winter eczema.