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Is acrylic biodegradable? 

By Our Lovely Earth
Page last updated: 12/26/2022 | Next review date: 12/26/2024
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Our Lovely Earth
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The article will talk about the biodegradability of acrylic and will also cover topics such as

  • Recycling
  • Upcycling
  • Sustainability
  • Green alternatives 
  • Biodegradation time 

Is acrylic biodegradable?

No, acrylic is not classified as biodegradable because it is not derived from nature. Rather, it is a synthetic polymer that is made from monomers derived from fossil fuels. 

The rule of thumb regarding biodegradability is that naturally derived materials are more prone to be degraded by microbes; whereas, non-natural materials would not break down that easily. 

In the case of acrylic material, there is another factor that advocates in favour of acrylic being non-biodegradable as it is seen and observed that acrylic production results in the generation of harmful fumes and the consumption of non-renewable resources. 

Therefore, by considering the given facts, it is concluded that acrylic is not biodegradable and may require up to 200 years to degrade by microbes. Whereas, the time frame set for biodegradable material is about 180 days. 

Can acrylic be recycled?

It is possible to recycle acrylic material but it is also a known fact that the recycling of acrylic material may not be that widespread and openly accepted. 

One of the most frequent questions that are asked in association with the biodegradability of acrylics is the possibility of acrylic being recyclable or not. When it comes to that, there is both good news and bad news. 

The reason why recycling is so preferred and inquired about is the fact that recycling is one very efficient way to ensure that the non-biodegradable waste does not end up in landfills and rather is utilised well. 

However, the acrylic material is categorised in the 7th category of plastics. This category is not openly accepted for curbside recycling because of the possible complications and obstructions that may arise in the recycling process. 

The next big question is how to recycle. The first thing that you need to do is to check with your local recycling centre. If they accept acrylic plastic, then bingo. All you need to do is to have your acrylic waste dropped off or picked up by the recycling centre. 

If your local recycling centre does not accept acrylic material, then you are left with two options. One is to either contact private ventures that may accept recycling acrylic plastics. However, you will need to go some steps beyond that. 

If you are not willing to go this far, all you can do is treat acrylic as a regular waste. The fate of this regular waste will either be in landfills or incineration. 

Is acrylic eco-friendly? (9 factors making acrylic non-eco-friendly) 

No, acrylic cannot be considered an eco-friendly material because of the following materials:

  • The production of acrylic requires tons of non-renewable energy 
  • The production of acrylic happens at the cost of non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels 
  • The production of acrylic results in the emission of harmful fumes that may damage the environment. It is the result of these fumes that it is advised to manufacture acrylic products in closed and controlled setups 
  • The disposal of acrylic is not eco-friendly 
  • Acrylic is non-biodegradable in nature 
  • The recycling of acrylic is not openly accepted
  • You can not compost acrylic 
  • If you dispose of acrylic in landfills, it will require up to 200 years to degrade
  • If you incinerate acrylic, it will lead to emission of harmful fumes (GHGs) and will consume a lot of energy since acrylic is melted at temperatures higher than 160 degrees celsius 

Can acrylic use be substituted? 

Since it has been established that the use, production and disposal of acrylic is not sustainable or eco-friendly, a natural question that should come to the mind of an eco-directed individual is what can be used instead? 

When it comes to that, there are options that can be considered and relied upon. The options include 

  • Glass 
  • Steel 
  • Wood 
  • Bamboo
  • Natural fibres 

The said materials can replace the use of acrylic material and this substitution will have eco-benefits to offer to the environment and the economy. Therefore, let us delve into slight details of each option given

  • The use of glass is said because glass is relatively more natural and has a less environmental impact. It must also be stated that glass can be recycled multiple times which gives it an advantage over acrylic. 
  • Just like glass, steel can also be recycled as many times as like. This, theoretically, makes steel and glass harmless despite being non-biodegradable because if dealt with carefully, they would never enter the waste stream and cause negative effects. 
  • Natural materials such as wood and bamboo are way better than acrylics because of the fact that these materials are naturally derived and therefore, are compostable and biodegradable. Also, these materials are readily renewable and will decompose readily. It must also be stated that these materials are way easier to upcycle and recycle as compared to acrylic. 

Can acrylic be upcycled?

It has been established that the recycling of acrylic may not be a feasible option. Therefore, what can be considered instead is upcycling. Upcycling means that the material is reused and repurposed without making any significant changes to it. Yes, it is possible to upcycle acrylic products depending on the type of acrylic product.

Certain options include:

  • Greenhouse projects
  • Acrylic sheets 
  • LED lights 
  • Support shelves
  • DIY projects 

The basic idea here is to reuse acrylic waste efficiently to make sure that it is utilised in the best way possible so that acrylic waste generation may be avoided. 

This is said because most likely, acrylic is likely to end up in landfills or incinerated. If you dispose of acrylic in landfills, it will require up to 200 years to degrade. 

If you incinerate acrylic, it will lead to the emission of harmful fumes (GHGs) and will consume a lot of energy since acrylic is melted at temperatures higher than 160 degrees celsius

Conclusion 

It is concluded that acrylic is not biodegradable since it is a synthetic polymer made from monomers Methyl methacrylate. These monomers are derived from fossil fuels and therefore, may require up to 200 years to decompose. 

Since acrylic is non-biodegradable, it is also not possible to recycle (whereas some centres may accept it but most would not) and compost acrylic. acrylic is likely to end up in landfills or incinerated. If you dispose of acrylic in landfills, it will require up to 200 years to degrade. 

If you incinerate acrylic, it will lead to the emission of harmful fumes (GHGs) and will consume a lot of energy since acrylic is melted at temperatures higher than 160 degrees celsius

In light of these points acrylic is regarded as not eco-friendly and therefore greener alternatives were given that included glass, steel, bamboo, and natural fibres. 

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