Home » biodegradability » Is double-sided tape biodegradable? 

Is double-sided tape biodegradable? 

By Our Lovely Earth
Page last updated: 12/20/2022 | Next review date: 12/20/2024
close

Author bio


Our Lovely Earth
View More north_east

The article will discuss the biodegradability of double-sided tape while also covering:

  • Why is double-sided tape termed non-biodegradable?
  • Is double-sided tape eco-friendly?
  • Can you recycle double-sided tape?
  • Can you compost double-sided tape?
  • What is the best way to dispose of double-sided tape?
  • Are there any green alternatives to blue painter’ tape?

Is double-sided tape biodegradable?

Doauble-sided tape is not biodegradable because of the use of non-biodegradable and synthetic materials that may be used to make a double-sided tape. 

Double-sided tape is made when carrier material such as paper, foam or polymeric film is coated with an adhesive such as silicone, acrylic and rubber. 

Double-sided tape may be made from recycled material and this variant is considered more eco-friendly as compared to a tape made from virgin material. 

Also, the article will discuss some eco-friendly alternatives that basically depend on biodegradable adhesives as compared to non-biodegradable ones. 

Is double-sided tape made of natural material? (3 carrier materials) 

As regards biodegradation, there is this general rule of thumb that natural materials are more prone to be biodegradable. However, in our case, this is not the case. 

Biodegradation is the breakdown of the material by the action of microbes such as bacteria or decomposers. Biodegradation exists so that there is no waste accumulation and that the environment may be saved from its detrimental effects.

While the double-sided tape may be made from paper, foam or even polymeric film;  it is considered non-biodegradable because of the use of synthetic adhesives that include:

  • Rubber 
  • Silicone 
  • Acrylic 

A double-sided tape is incomplete and defunct without its adhesive and therefore this inseparable part is what delivers the non-biodegradable status to double-sided tape. 

Can double-sided tape be composted?

No, the double-sided tape also can not be composted. Some people might fall into the trap that since the double-sided tape is made from natural material (virgin or recycled pulp et cetera) it must be biodegradable and compostable too. 

However, this assumption is far from reality as there is no way that double-sided tape can be composted and the main reason is the use of adhesives that make the double-sided tape non-biodegradable. 

The process of composting can be said to be a very peculiar one because the end result (compost) is added to the soil to improve the quality of soil and offer other benefits such as water conservation et cetera. 

However, the double-sided tape does not fit into the criteria of composting and therefore, can not be composted.

Is it recyclable?

When it comes to non-biodegradable material, one of the best ways to deal with this kind of waste is to recycle it because when non-biodegradable waste is recycled, it is not needed to be made a part of landfills or dealt with in other ways. 

On the other hand, there is this decreased use of energy and raw materials which scale positively on the balance of the environment. 

However, unfortunately, double-sided tape can not be recycled and the main reason behind that is that the double-sided tape is too thin and inseparable to be opted for the recycling process. 

That is why, even when recycling is attempted, there would be an unsustainable consumption of energy and resources which will kill the idea of recycling in the very first place. 

However, as said, although double-sided tape can not be recycled, some can be made from recycled material. This is the closest double-sided tape can get to the recycling reality. 

What is the best way to dispose of double-sided tape?

Since it has been established that double-sided tape can not be recycled, composted or degraded by microbes; the best way to dispose of double-sided tape is to mix it with regular trash to be either incinerated or tossed into a landfill. 

However, it must be commented that with the burgeoning consumerism and increased waste generation, the notion of handling waste is becoming more difficult with time and that waste such as double-sided tape plays a role in it. 

Is double-sided tape made of plastic?

Yes, the double-sided tape may contain plastic if it is made from polymeric film and coated with acrylic adhesives. There is a use of plastics in this case which will cause degradative effects on the environment.  

Can double-sided tape be called sustainable?

The exact answer to this question varies based on the brand that manufactures double-sided tape. You see, some double-sided tape is made from virgin materials that take a toll on natural resources such as plants and trees. Verged with that, these double-sided tapes make use of synthetic materials in their adhesives to achieve utility but compromise the environment. 

However, that is not all. Some double-sided tape actually makes use of recycled material to make the tape and these tapes will be considered more eco-friendly as compared to tapes made from virgin material. 

Lastly, we have some double-sided tape that makes use of synthetic materials such as polymeric films that are non-biodegradable and not eco-friendly. 

Therefore, to wrap things up, it can be said that the answer to the question of whether the double-sided tape is eco-friendly or not varies on the production inclinations. If a double-sided tape is made from recycled and biodegradable material, it can be given the status of being eco-friendly at least from a comparative narrative as compared to those made from non-biodegradable material. 

Is there any green alternative?

Yes, there can be some green alternatives to double-sided tape. The main problem with double-sided tape is that it makes use of non-biodegradable adhesives along with non-biodegradable carrier materials. 

Therefore, we need to look for tape that does not make use of non-biodegradable adhesives as the remaining part of the tape is natural, eco-friendly and biodegradable. 

When it comes to that, we have one option that goes by the name of Washi tape. This tape is made from natural materials such as organic materials including hemp and bamboo. 

The choice of these materials makes the washi tape more sustainable as compared to double-sided tape as the said may imply cutting of trees other than the use of non-biodegradable acrylics. 

Another option that can be considered is the water-activated paper tape that is made with starch-based adhesives and thus solving the problem of non-biodegradable adhesives that make double-sided tape non-biodegradable and non-compostable. 

Conclusion

It is concluded that double-sided tape is not biodegradable because of the use of non-biodegradable and synthetic materials that may be used to make a double-sided tape. 

Double-sided tape is made when carrier material such as paper, foam or polymeric film is coated with an adhesive such as silicone, acrylic and rubber. 

Double-sided tape may be made from recycled material and this variant is considered more eco-friendly as compared to a tape made from virgin material. 

Also, the article discussed some eco-friendly alternatives that basically depend on biodegradable adhesives as compared to non-biodegradable ones. 

References

  • Czech, Z., Wilpiszewska, K., Tyliszczak, B., Jiang, X., Bai, Y., & Shao, L. (2013). Biodegradable self-adhesive tapes with starch carrier. International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, 44, 195-199.