In Colombia, a mall with over 20 stores is now offering Solubag’s biodegradable water-soluble shopping bag which is made from limestone allowing it to completely dissolve in waterways without any toxins or plastics being emitted in the process. Chile-based Solubags created the bag as a way to address the ocean and waterways plastic pollution problem.
Instead of using other biodegradable alternatives that still include things like polyethylene which breaks down into small pieces, the chemical formula of Solubags contains polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). “The bag completely dissolves in water, with no harm. You can even drink the water, as it has no chemicals,” Cristian Olivares, the company’s commercial manager told UNEP. The company founders came across the idea while looking at biodegradable detergent capsules.
Chile’s ban on plastic bags came into force recently in February and Solubag plans on opening a factory in Chile, in addition to its current one in China, in order to meet expected rising demand.