Our Material

Although modern life would be hard to imagine without this versatile chemistry, products composed of plastic also have a dark side, due in part to the very characteristics that make them so desirable - their durability and longevity.

"We are at a critical juncture, and cannot continue under the modus that has been established. If we're smart, we'll look for replacement materials, so that we don't have this mismatch -- good for a minute and contaminating for 10,000 years." [Rolf Halden, Ann. Rev. on Public Health]

Several studies shed light on the effects of poorly regulated use of plastic. Huge areas of floating garbage, which contain a high percentage of non biodegradable materials, are contaminating our oceans (some of them are as wide as the whole Italy!). 

The real impact of this plastic waste on our society starts only now to be understood.
Common objects such as plastic bottles, PVC cotton swabs, cigarettes plastic packages are only some examples of products typically used for a few seconds but which will remain undisturbed in our environment without deteriorate for a very long time.

Environmental protection is therefore one of the main advantages of a quick replacement of traditional plastic by the new bioplastic materials. The more possibilities there are for a product to be recovered at the end of its life cycle, the more likely it is that it will be properly disposed of.

The raw material used for eKoala (mater-bi) is compostable in its original form in granules. Read more about Mater-Bi and their certifications here.

This means that it biodegrades by 90% within 90 days. The finished product will take some what longer, due to the thickness, which guarantees it’s strength as a product. The important thing, however, is that, if carelessly left in the environment, they degrade without releasing micro-plastics or other substances harmful to the environment.

As well as that eKoala has thought about their products in function of an "end of life" without problems in any type of recycling. Our products:

1) can be recycled with plastics (tests conducted with Mater-bi indicate that mechanical recycling is possible with traditional plastics, up to 10% in the compound),
2) where the thickness allows it (for example by practicing a post-use crushing), they can be compatible with industrial composting.
3) Finally, if there are no other ways available, they can be sent for energy recovery, with a low emission of fossil CO2.

The principle that drives eKoala’s innovative way of thinking is in fact the reduction of the impact that our choices have on our planet.

As in the case of bioplastics, the choice of vegetal cashmere has been made to protect our environment: the wood pulp is obtained exclusively from cultivated trees and does not increase deforestation; moreover, only some parts of the tree are used and collected respecting the normal pruning. The yarn is then made in full compliance with the eco-sustainability standards and this is what makes this fibre unique and sustainable.