Updated on January 11, 2024

·

Created on July 28, 2017

Cleanbodia Bio Bags

Upcoming Update

Cleanbodia Bio Bags are biodegradable and compostable plastic-bag alternatives.

Developed By
  1. Cleanbodia
Tested By
  • Cleanbodia
  • TUV Austria
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

Cleanbodia Bio Bags are biodegradable bags made by a technical process which combines cassava starch with a fossil fuel. When disposed of, the starch degrades naturally within just a few months and produces bacteria which begins to directly attack the fossil polymer chains, drastically reducing degradation from hundreds of years to about 5 years.

The product is also available outside Cambodia through custom orders. The product is available in various sizes and package deals.

Target SDGs

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Market Suggested Retail Price

$7.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Public Sector Agencies

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Cleanbodia produces and sells the bio bags. The product is implemented by a number of eco-minded businesses based in Cambodia.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The biodegradable bags are made by a combination of cassava starch and fossil fuel polymers.

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

Users can request orders through Cleanbodia's webpage. Orders in Phnom Penh can be picked up in BKK1 while orders outside of Phnom Penh will be delivered.

Distributions to Date Status

The bags are distributed nationwide in Cambodia. Over 100 organisations including businesses and schools across 6 cities use Cleanbodia's products.

User operation

User-operated

Consumables

1 bag per use

Power supply type

No power required

Design Specifications

The composition of biodegradable bags includes a mixture of cassava starch and fossil fuel polymers. The bags are available in three sizes but its dimensions can also be custom made.

  • Biodegradable carrier bag: 50 cm tall (including handles) x 30 cm wide x 12 cm deep with a volume of 12 liters. A roll of 200 bags weigh 1.11 kg
  • Medium biodegradable garbage bag: 70 cm tall x 34 cm wide x 16 cm deep with a volume of 38 liters. A roll of 50 bags weigh 1.25 kg
  • Large biodegradable garbage bag: 80 cm tall (including handles) x 50 cm wide x 15 cm deep with a volume of 100 liters. 25 bags weigh 1.00 kg.
When disposed of, the cassava starch degrades naturally within just a few months and produces bacteria which begins to directly attack the fossil polymer chains. This drastically reduces the degradation duration from hundreds of years to about 5 years. The product can be degraded in either water, soil or garbage piles.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Not applicable

Replacement Components

Not applicable

Lifecycle

The biodegradable bags are degraded in about 5 years.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The specific performance targets are outlined for each bag size:

  • Biodegradable carrier bag: can hold approx. 4kg, including hot liquid, and are food safe.
  • Medium biodegradable garbage bag: can hold approx. 12kg, including hot liquid, and are food safe.
  • Large biodegradable garbage bag: Has durable handles, can hold over 15kg.

Vetted Performance Status

The product is tested to ensure it meets the following requirements to be certified as OK biobased:

  1. the total carbon content of the product is at least 30%
  2. the carbon content of a renewable raw material (biobased) is at least 20 %.

Safety

The bags are food-safe, so food will not become contaminated by the bag's material.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Goal 6. Available: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6

Compliance with regulations

The product received the following certifications to inform the user of its level of biodegradability:

  • OK biobased: Four-star biobased certification by TÜV Austria regarding the product's composition from bioplastics and/or materials of natural origin.
  • ISO 14855-2: Certification by Vincotte against ISO regarding the product's aerobic biodegradability in controlled composting conditions.

Evaluation methods

The manufacturer cites time to degrade and strength as its evaluation criteria.

Other Information

Cleanbodia also sells compostable bags that can be put in compost and fully degrades in 24 months. General info about eco-friendly plastic bags: There are a lot of terms related to eco-friendly plastics such as biodegradable, compostable and oxo-biodegradable. Even though claimed to be environmental friendly several versions of "eco-friendly" plastics have been criticized to be even the exact opposite of "eco-friendly". Some articles and links with information related to this topic are: 5 surprising secrets of biodegradable plastic bagsAre OXO-biodegradables really environmentally friendlyConventional plasticsFAQs about plastics. Idealist - Plastic Free Cambodia

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