Home » biodegradability » Is butyl rubber biodegradable? (5 reasons why it is not sustainable) 

Is butyl rubber biodegradable? (5 reasons why it is not sustainable) 

By Our Lovely Earth
Page last updated: 12/19/2022 | Next review date: 12/19/2024
close

Author bio


Our Lovely Earth
View More north_east

The article will answer the question if butyl rubber is biodegradable or not. Other aspects covered would include:

  • Composting
  • Best disposal methods
  • Recycling
  • How to recycle?
  • Sustainability?
  • repurposing?

Is butyl rubber biodegradable?

Butyl rubber is not biodegradable because it is made from non-natural materials that offer no organic inside to the microbes and therefore, the microbes will not be able to degrade butyl rubber. 

Butyl rubber must not be confused with natural rubber as the former can not be composted which is not the case in the latter. 

The article will discuss the best way to deal with butyl rubber waste which includes recycling and repurposing. The article will also discuss the sustainability aspect of butyl rubber in both comparative and superlative frames. 

Is butyl rubber natural or non-natural?

As it turns out, consumer products can be broadly segregated into two main categories. One is that products are made from natural materials such as plants and animal sources while the other is that products are made from non-natural sources such as chemical-based or lab-based synthetic products. 

The general rule of thumb is that natural materials such as plant-based and animal-based substances are usually eco-friendly because they are made from natural and it is easier for them to go back to nature. 

However, when we explore the case of non-natural materials, these materials are not derived from nature and therefore, their return to nature is also one challenge. 

When it comes to rubber, there are two main types. One is natural and the other is non-natural. Butyl rubber is non-natural because it is not derived from plants but rather is made in the labs with the assistance of chemicals and synthetic procedures. 

The applications of butyl rubber expand to domains such as use in adhesives and sealants. Butyl rubber is produced when isobutylene is co-polymerised with isoprene. 

Can you compost butyl rubber?

While it is possible to compost natural rubber (derived from plants); it is not possible to compost synthetic rubber such as butyl rubber because of the fact that butyl rubber has no organic content to offer based on which it may be used as a natural fertiliser. 

If we explore the case of butyl rubber, the ingredients are anything but natural, let alone organic. The basic idea of composting is to increase the organic content of the soil so that various environmental benefits may be achieved. 

Therefore, it is important to not confuse butyl rubber with natural rubber and put it in the compost heap as it will compromise and contaminate all other (compostable) waste. 

What is the best way to dispose of butyl rubber?

When it comes to the best ways to deal with and discard butyl rubber, the best candidate that remains with us is recycling. Yes, butyl rubber can be recycled, just like many other non-biodegradable materials. 

Not only is it possible to recycle butyl rubber, but it is also recommended too because recycling is one of the best ways to deal with non-biodegradable waste. 

When rubber is put up for recycling, it is ensured that it is not discarded in other ways that may be bad for the environment. 

For example, one of the ways to discard butyl rubber is to incinerate it. Incineration means the burning of waste so that there is space taken up by it. 

But the problem is that when it comes to incineration, there is a massive release of harmful gases including greenhouse gases that may contribute to environmental anomalies such as global warming, climate change, deforestation et cetera. 

Another method of disposal of butyl rubber is putting the butyl rubber waste in landfills. While it may also be possible, it is not the best option out there for several reasons. 

One is that waste in landfills consumes space and may stay there for many hundred years. The same is the butyl rubber as it may take many decades to decompose. 

Also, there is the risk of possible ground and groundwater pollution as certain toxic materials may leach into the soil causing environmental havoc. 

How to recycle butyl rubber?

When it comes to the recycling of butyl rubber, there are certain possibilities that may be considered and explored. 

One possibility is that butyl rubber may be in good condition and you do not need to process it in order to reuse it. This way, there is no expenditure of energy or resources. All you need to do is repurpose butyl rubber products and put them to good use. The exact reuse or repurpose will vary based on the exact product. 

Another option to be explored is the proper recycling of butyl rubber which is done by particular machinery. However, one precaution that needs to be taken or followed is that not all recycling centres will accept recycling butyl rubber. 

Therefore, you need to check with your local recycling centre if they accept butyl rubber as a recycling material. 

Is butyl rubber sustainable? (5 reasons why it is not) 

If we compare butyl rubber with other synthetic rubber, it is better off with other synthetic rubber being less gentle on the environment. However, this can not make us be oblivious to the fact that butyl rubber is made from non-natural material which neither can be composted nor will degrade by the action of microbes. 

Therefore, based on these essential environmental parameters, it can be asserted that butyl rubber is not sustainable because of the extent of the artificiality that is associated with butyl rubber because:

  • It is non-biodegradable
  • It is non-natural
  • It can not be composted
  • It leads to the release of harmful gases & environmental problems
  • It contributes to waste problems 

Conclusion

It is concluded that butyl rubber is not biodegradable because it is made from non-natural materials that offer no organic inside to the microbes and therefore, the microbes will not be able to degrade butyl rubber. 

Butyl rubber must not be confused with natural rubber as the former can not be composted which is not the case in the latter. 

The article also discussed the best way to deal with butyl rubber waste which included recycling and repurposing. The article also discussed the sustainability aspect of butyl rubber and concluded that butyl rubber is not sustainable. 

References