FAQs
What is Cosmetic BioGlitz?
Cosmetic BioGlitz is a glitter produced from a special biodegradable film that is Certified Compostable. The biodegradable element of the glitter is derived from sustainable sources, does not contain materials that are genetically modified nor materials obtained from genetically modified organisms. Cosmetic BioGlitz offers the same precision cut and highly reflective properties as conventional PET based glitter. The trees used to create our BioDegradable film are all sourced from The Forest Stewardship Council Certified suppliers.
The Forest Stewardship Council sets standards for responsible forest management. A voluntary program, FSC uses the power of the marketplace to protect forests for future generations.
Does Cosmetic BioGlitz contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)?
No genetically modified materials are used in the production process, and, based on information from our Suppliers, none of the materials used to formulate Cosmetic BioGlitz are obtained from GMO’s.
Will BioGlitz biodegrade in sea water?
The biodegradable film used in BioGlitz biodegrades in sea water in accordance with the standard ASTM D7081-05.
Has animal testing been used in the development or production of Cosmetic BioGlitz®?
No.
What conditions are required for biodegradation to occur?
Heat, water and oxygen are required for effective biodegradation by micro-organisms.
Biodegradable plastics are metabolized by micro-organisms, which transform the bioplastic product into carbon dioxide, water and biomass.
Will Cosmetic BioGlitz biodegrade on the shelf in dry form?
BioGlitz is very stable and will not biodegrade on the shelf. Biodegradation will only be initiated in a soil, compost, or waste-water environment, where micro-organisms are present.
Can Cosmetic BioGlitz be recycled with paper or cardboard?
It can be successfully recycled with carton-board but not currently recommended for
mechanical recycling with paper.
Can BioGlitz be incinerated?
Yes.
Is BioGlitz Antimony free?
Yes (Measured <1ppm, limit of analytical test used). No antimony is used in the production process.
What official standards are used to test for compostability?
The European (EN13432) and American (ASTM D6400) standards define the tests required to demonstrate the compostability of a material. Other countries have their own version although there is an ISO standard (ISO 17088:2012(en)) which should allow for harmonization.
There are four main parts to the test:
Material characterization (including heavy metals)
Biodegradation (measures the breakdown to carbon dioxide, water and biomass. Requirement is for >90% biodegradation in 180 days, or >60% for ASTM D6400) -- -
Disintegration (the material must physically break down into pieces to give >90% at <2mm residues within 90 days)
Ecotoxicity (ensures no toxic material is produced which can adversely affect plant growth). The standards measure suitability for industrial composting. For home compostability, the same criteria must be met but under ambient conditions, according to the OK Compost Home standard.
How long does it take for Cosmetic BioGlitz® to biodegrade?
Rate of biodegradation is dependent on composting conditions. The biodegradable
film is accredited according to the standards referred to in the previous FAQ. Cosmetic BioGlitz has the advantage that most glitter particle sizes in the product range are already <2mm in size and immediately pass the disintegration criteria for the standard.