Since we launched in May 2020, Virustatic Shield® has taken a pioneering approach to making better and more sustainable choices. We keep challenging, innovating and seeking alternatives the the status quo and what has been done before. We're constantly striving to find better materials and practices, not just in our innovative Award Winning products, but now also in our packaging. Researchers have estimated that up to 14 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean every year - that's the equivalent of a rubbish truck every single minute. It's a growing problem and it's why we believe that single use is no use.
Our Packaging
We have now partnered with #INVISIBLE to help us achieve our commitment to eradicate single-use, non-degradable plastic at Virustatic Shield®.
All of our mailer bags, and the packaging for our new Ergo Shield®, are now 100% plastic free, water-soluble, biodegradable and compostable. Some of our Original Shield® products will continue to arrive in old packaging as we phase out the old and transition towards the new, with our focus on being a 100% single-use plastic-free company.
We are committed to the continued development of a sustainable materials chain which has all the advantages of modern, highly functional and technical materials in their primary and secondary uses but combines it with real end-of-life options.
It has been thoroughly tested and found to be non-toxic, breaking down into water, carbon dioxide and ‘mineralised biomass’, a natural biological breakdown step of the carbon in the material into carbon dioxide and water. As the material degrades, smaller oxidised polymer chains are formed that eventually break down into carbon dioxide and water.
The material does not form toxic microplastics or yield any harmful products at any stage of the breakdown and biodegradation process. The ink used is also non-toxic, so there are no nasty chemicals produced as the bag breaks down.
Our #invisible bags are made from a specially formulated polymer resin using polyvinylalcohol (PVOH). PVOH is still a polymer, but the major differentiator from traditional plastics is that the material is hydrophilic (i.e. it loves water). This means it breaks down quickly in the marine environment without attracting other toxins or forming microplastics, as traditional polymers would.
