Tarpaulins or tarps are impermeable covers that are usually manufactured from plastics such as polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They are versatile products that are recommended for use in areas such as the protection of goods during transit and even protection against harsh weather when used as temporary structures. However, the common types of plastic Tarpaulins have severe environmental issues as they are non-biodegradable, and are deposited in landfills for years. This is the place where biodegradable tarpaulins can make a positive difference.
What are biodegradable tarpaulins?
Biodegradable tarpaulins are essentially tarpaulins that are made from biodegradable material that can be bio-degraded in the environment. The most common materials used to manufacture biodegradable tarps include:
Jute: It is a 100% biodegradable and compostable product made using natural jute fibers extracted from the stalks of plants. Jute tarps are strong when it comes to tensioned loads.
Cotton: In this type of canvas tarpaulin material, pure cotton canvas tarps are breathable, safe, and environmentally friendly. These are degradable within 3-6 months.
Bamboo: Bamboo canvases are very hard-wearing, anti-bacterial, and may be disposed of with ease when they become obsolete.
Corn starch: When PLA or corn starch-derived bioplastic is coated over fabric it enables the creation of a fully water-resistant and biodegradable tarp.
Advantages of Using Biodegradable Tarps
Switching to biodegradable tarps offers three major environmental benefits:
1. They disintegrate within a short period without taking their problems to the landfills
So as I have mentioned it can take anywhere from 10 to 1000 years for a normal plastic tarpaulin to degrade. And when they are thrown into the dump, they dissolve toxins in the ground and seep into water sources over time. On the other hand biodegradable varieties decompose in the relatively short time frame of between months up to a maximum of 1-2 years. They do not pollute the environment whether it is disposed of in landfills or not.
2. Reducing Amount Of Single Use Plastic That Ends Up In The Sea
The average plastic Heavy Duty Tarpaulin automatically follows the wind’s direction and can be moved to the seas via rivers and channels. They end up forming massive plastic mid-ocean patches and negatively affect marine life. 90% of all the floating marine debris is plastics. Because biodegradable tarps do not endure marine environments, they alleviate the problem of plastic pollution in the seas.
3. Reduced emissions of greenhouse gases compared to the conventional PVC tarps
Traditional vinyl or PVC-made tarpaulins contain dangerous chemicals in the manufacturing process and release higher levels of greenhouse gases. Since it contains more bio-degradable input materials, the manufacturing and destruction of biodegradable tarps entail reduced emissions of carbon dioxide. For example, jute crops take carbon dioxide from the air as they grow, and release it back into the environment when they decay.
Places Where Biodegradable Tarps Can Be of Help
Here are some areas where switching to biodegradable tarps can benefit the environment:
Agriculture: Shades, crop cover, root zone heat and cold thermometer
Construction: Flex guards or dust curtains, construction site huts
Events: Tentage of short-term shelters and marquees
Transportation: Non-critical overlay and cushioning material
Disaster relief programs: Temporary tent shelters
Camping: Tent floor protectors, beds made of discarded materials
Occasionally more areas of application will be available as the technology of biodegradable material develops. The developed tarps may be useful in the near future to replace the plastic ones that are used in industrial packaging, storage of products, vehicle and equipment covering as well as shipment.
Conclusion
We need to start thinking about abandoning basic plastic covers as our first choice – especially where the application is temporary /short-lived. Those natural products including jute, cotton, bamboo, etc., are functional, nearly similar to the tarps made by other conventional materials but completely safe for the overall ecological effect. Future advances in green material technology will see increased use of biodegradable tarps all around, because as more manufacturers make green products available prices will come down.
