CLIMATE CRISIS FIGHTERS

Natural rubber is a fantastic biodegradable material. When exposed to natural elements like bacteria, insects, light, and moisture, it breaks down in about 5 years. This is incredibly fast compared to synthetic materials like plastic and silicone.

Natural rubber comes from Hevea brasiliensis trees, which are renewable resources. The great thing about these trees is that we can harvest rubber from them without causing significant harm, allowing them to keep growing and producing latex for many years. Plus, after it decomposes, natural rubber can be reused to create new products, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.

On the other hand, plastic is a major problem for the environment. Most plastics are made from petrochemicals and can take hundreds to thousands of years to break down. During this long decomposition process, plastics often fragment into microplastics, which persist in the environment and pose significant pollution and health risks. Plastics contribute significantly to pollution, especially in oceans and landfills. Even though some plastics can be recycled, the process is often complex and inefficient. Many types of plastics are not recyclable and end up in landfills, adding to the problem.

Silicone, a synthetic polymer, is also more durable and resistant to degradation compared to natural rubber. It can take hundreds of years to break down in the environment. While silicone is less harmful than some plastics due to its chemical stability and resistance to heat and UV light, its long decomposition time still poses environmental challenges. Although silicone can be recycled, the process is not widely available and requires specialized facilities, leading to relatively low recycling rates.