Are Orbeez Biodegradable?

Biodegradable Orbeez or water jellies are small polymers that absorb water. Gardeners use Orbeez to help retain soil moisture. The small beads can expand up to 100 times their original size, gradually releasing water into the soil.


You can even find Orbeez for diapers, and the beads also make great toys.

Convenient and inexpensive, Orbeez can help reduce your garden water usage.


But have you thought about how long the plastic beads stay in the soil? Are Orbeez biodegradable or do you need to dig them up?

Biodegradable Orbeez

Are Orbeez Biodegradable?

The polymers that keep moisture inside the bead also prevent them from quickly biodegrading. The moisture-retaining beads can last for several years in the soil.


Before you start worrying about their impact on the environment, think about your water usage. One way to meet your sustainability goals is by using less water. It benefits the planet and your monthly water bill.


Orbeez ensures your plants have plenty of moisture without turning on your garden hose.

Biodegradable Orbeez

Are Biodegradable Orbeez Environmentally Friendly?

Orbeez boasts several environmentally friendly properties. Using the beads in the garden reduces water usage without harming the plants.


The material also breaks down after time. It takes a while, so don’t cover your yard in layers of moisture-retaining beads.


After a while, the layers of beads can start interfering with plants’ root systems.

Biodegradable Orbeez

How Long Does Orbeez Take to Biodegrade?

The beads aren’t going to last a lifetime, but they also don’t break down easily. Orbeez is long-lasting, and it is a bonus. You aren’t going to replace the beads every season, they will keep your plants watered for several years.


Even though Orbeez is biodegradable, it’s not going to happen overnight. The small beads take several years to break down.


It usually takes between seven and nine years for Orbeez to disappear.

Biodegradable Orbeez

How Do You Dispose of Biodegradable Orbeez?

You can wait almost a decade for Orbeez to biodegrade, but you have other options when it’s time to dispose of the beads.


How you are using the beads plays a role in their disposal. The water beads make great children’s toys. They love watching the beads expand in water.


They can also keep babies drier in diapers and don’t forget about garden usage.

When your little ones are done playing with Orbeez recycle the beads in garden beds and flower pots. They will keep the soil moist until they decompose.


The same applies to beads used in diapers. You can add them to your garden.

You can even get creative with their uses. Add some scented oils and turn the beads into a sustainable air freshener.


The beads work in art projects and can add fascinating colors to LED lamps.

What you don’t want to do is toss the water beads in the trash. It takes too long for the beads to decompose in landfills.


Recycling bins also aren’t an option. Recycling facilities do not accept Orbeez due to its polymers.


It’s tempting to flush the beads down a drain or toilet, but it’s a mistake. Remember, the beads expand in liquid. They can create drain clogs that require professional assistance to remove.

Orbeez

Can You Put Biodegradable Orbeez in Soil?

One of the best ways to use Orbeez is in the soil. It’s one of their primary suggested uses. The beads can expand up to 100 times their original size. Imagine all of the moisture the beads can hold.


The beads gradually release water keeping the soil moist and your plants healthy. Best of all, Orbeez lasts for several years, so you don’t need to worry about replacing them.


The water beads also work great in indoor and outdoor flower pots.

Biodegradable Orbeez

Conclusion

Orbeez is biodegradable, but it can take almost a decade for the beads to disintegrate. They are also not recyclable, but it doesn’t mean they are bad for the environment.


The water beads are environmentally beneficial. Using the beads in your garden reduces your need for watering. You save money, time, and are doing something good for the planet.


Even though you can’t toss the beads in a recycling bin, you can reuse them at home. Take the Orbeez your little ones no longer play with and add them to the soil. Over time, the beads will break down.

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