In recent years, more and more people have become interested in eco-friendly products.
As informed consumers, we are all taking a closer look at how our products are made, what materials they're made from, and what happens to them after they've been used.
One area where there is still some confusion is latex – specifically, is latex biodegradable, compostable, and/or recyclable?
The quick answer is yes - most natural and organic latex is biodegradable.
But before you go rushing off to buy a load of latex products, wait! There is a bit more to it than that.
In this post, we will set the record straight and give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
Contents
First of all, it's important to understand that there are three main types of latex, and these should not be confused.
This is a natural product made from the sap of hevea brasiliensis trees (commonly known as rubber trees), that has been around for centuries.
The sap is collected in liquid form and then turned into latex in a manufacturing plant by adding chemicals like ammonia and zinc oxide.
This is a pure product that is naturally farmed and has no additional chemicals added.
You'll find it used by many organic latex mattress brands and other sustainable products.
You can often recognize genuine organic latex because it carries the GOLS certification.
This is a man-made product that is made from petroleum-based chemicals. Like any type of synthetic rubber, it is not biodegradable or environmentally friendly.
Some manufacturers combine the two to create a blended latex. Although this is often cheaper, it cannot be considered organic.
The answer to this question depends on the type of latex. Organic and natural latex is biodegradable, but synthetic latex is not.
In other words, if you want a product that will break down over time, which of course is what we all want, you should choose something made from natural or preferably organic latex.
Organic latex is more expensive than natural, which is, in turn, more expensive than synthetic. But the absence of added chemicals, plus the way it is sustainably farmed, makes it far better for you and for the environment.
Organic latex is (perhaps unsurprisingly) the quickest to biodegrade. It can take anywhere between 1 and 4 years to fully decompose.
Natural latex will biodegrade over time, but the exact amount of time it takes depends on the conditions, and what other chemicals were added. It can take up to 100 years to fully biodegrade.
In general, either will take longer to biodegrade in a landfill than it will in your backyard compost pile.
Yes, natural latex is environmentally friendly. It is made from a renewable resource, and it biodegrades over time.
Organic latex is the most eco-friendly variety, because it is sustainably farmed using no pesticides or fertilizers, and has no chemicals added during the manufacturing process.
Synthetic latex, on the other hand, is not environmentally friendly. It is made from non-renewable resources, and it does not biodegrade.
Again, the answer to this question depends on the type of latex.
Organic latex is the only type that is fully compostable because it is the only type that contains no added chemicals.
Anything else will release chemicals when composted which can be harmful to the microorganisms that facilitate bacterial decomposition, and can contaminate the soil itself.
Yes, some latex products can be recycled. In fact, recycling latex is actually better for the environment than composting it.
When latex is recycled, the material is turned into new products. This means that fewer resources are needed to produce new latex products, and less waste ends up in landfills.
Certain latex materials are recyclable but some are not. They also need to be disposed of in different ways.
For instance, latex mattresses are now widely recycled. Several companies have even offered mattress recycling programs for their products.
Many states have even required mattress manufacturers to repurpose mattresses after customers stop purchasing the product.
If you buy a mattress in Connecticut a certain percentage will be used to transport it or recycle when it's not needed.
No, most latex balloons are not biodegradable. In fact, they can actually be harmful to the environment.
This is because latex balloons contain other materials than just latex, such as metallic powder, fire retardants, antioxidants, and dyes.
Despite what some balloon enthusiasts and the balloon industry might have you believe, large-scale balloon releases are often hazardous to the environment and marine life.
When latex balloons are released into the air, they eventually come back down to earth. Once they land, they can end up in the ocean, where they can be eaten by marine animals.
Marine animals can mistake the balloons for food, and when they eat them, the balloons can block their stomachs. This can cause the animals to starve to death.
Biodegradable balloons are better, because at least they will break down over time. However, they can still be bad for the environment if animals or marine life get to them first.
Rubber gloves made from natural latex are biodegradable. But synthetic gloves are not, and up until recently, disposing of them properly has been problematic.
However, there is a new program from Terracycle which does allow synthetic latex gloves to be recycled.
Check out their zero waste box for more information.
No, latex is not highly flammable.
Like any rubber, it has a very high ignition temperature of around 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It is more likely to melt than to burn.
However, be aware that when synthetic or natural latex does burn, it will inevitably release toxic fumes, containing those chemicals that were used during its manufacture, which can be harmful to your health and to the environment.
So if you were considering disposing of latex products by burning them - don't.
Organic latex is a natural material that's biodegradable, compostable, and eco-friendly. It should be your first choice when you decide to purchase any environmentally friendly rubber-based product.
However, not all latex products are created equal. Natural latex doesn't compost due to the chemicals used in its manufacture.
Environmentally speaking, synthetic latex is the worst as it nether composts or biodegrades, although it can often be recycled.
Latex balloons should never be released into the environment because they're made of materials that will stay in the earth indefinitely with no chance of being broken down.
