Materials

At Biowaves, we are consciously mindful of the materials used in our products. We pay close attention to their properties, their origin, and how they are used in everyday life.

Our hard cases are made of polypropylene (PP) with a recycled PP content and wheat straw fibers. The material used has been tested for biodegradability under defined conditions.

For our handmade necklaces and hand leashes, we use yarn made from recycled cotton.

On this page, you will learn more about the materials used, their properties, and the options for their disposal.

Biodegradability tested 

The SK-BIO01 material used for our hardcases was tested by Intertek for biodegradability under anaerobic conditions according to ASTM D5511-18.

During the test, a biodegradation rate of 11.18% was measured after 90 days.

ASTM D5511 examines the biodegradation of plastics under anaerobic high-solids digestion conditions. This does not mean that a SmartShell completely dissolves within 90 days or degrades at the same rate under all environmental conditions.

  • PP with recycled content

    For the SmartShell, we use polypropylene with a portion of recycled PP. The manufacturer describes the BIO01 material as a combination of recycled PP and wheat straw.

  • Wheat straw fibers 

    The SmartShell contains natural wheat straw fibers. Among other things, this creates the characteristic, slightly textured material look of our hard cases.

  • SK-BIO01 

    SK-BIO01 is an additive for polypropylene. According to the manufacturer, it supports the colonization of microorganisms on the plastic surface under anaerobic conditions, thereby accelerating biological degradation.

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What does "biodegradable" mean for our SmartShell?

“Biodegradable” does not mean that the casing is intended to dissolve within a short period of time in a garden, on a compost heap, or in the natural environment.

The biodegradability of the material we use has been tested under defined anaerobic conditions. How quickly a material actually biodegrades depends significantly on the respective environmental conditions.
It is important to us to categorize biodegradability realistically: The SmartShell is intended for long-term use and should be disposed of via the appropriate disposal route at the end of its service life.

Recycling & proper disposal

Our SmartShell is made of polypropylene (PP) with a recycled PP content and natural wheat straw fibers.

While polypropylene as a plastic is fundamentally recyclable, there are currently no widely available, separate disposal channels for material combinations like our SmartShell.

Therefore, we recommend disposing of it in the general waste at the end of its service life.

Please do not put the case in your organic waste or garden compost. Furthermore, we do not currently recommend disposing of it via standard plastic collection, unless your local waste management services provide an appropriate recycling route for it.

Recycled cotton for our macramé cords 

Our necklaces and hand straps are handcrafted in Germany.

For this, we use yarn made from 100% recycled pre-consumer cotton. This means that cotton fibers and material scraps from manufacturing and processing are reused as raw materials.

The straps are made from this cotton yarn and a metal snap hook. We do not use additional plastic buckles or nylon webbing.

This is how we ensure that our straps have a simple material composition and a practical way to carry them in everyday life.

More than just material

We also try to avoid unnecessary material use in packaging, shipping, and our internal processes. 

What does sustainability mean to us?

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