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When you consider reducing plastic products in your life, bandages may not be the first product you think of. However, most bandages on the market today are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) or polyurethane (PUR) with polyester gauze pads and acrylic adhesives. PVC, also known as vinyl, releases many dangerous chemicals when it degrades, including dioxins, phthalates, lead, etc. Therefore, it makes sense that you don't want it to be in contact with the skin for a long time, let alone on the wound.
Some bandages also contain latex. Although it is derived from natural rubber, many people are struggling with latex allergies. Many patients also report that bandages can cause irritation. This condition is called contact dermatitis, which can sometimes be caused by an allergic reaction to the chemical adhesives used in certain bandages.
When evaluating bandage brands, check the materials and packaging types used to make the bandages, gauze pads, and adhesives. Most biodegradable bandages are made from sustainably sourced bamboo fabric netting. Some use recyclable cardboard packaging.
Bandages are also disposable, so it makes sense to switch to sustainable, biodegradable alternatives for the future of our planet. Although only a few brands are currently available, several companies are developing new biodegradable bandages. We will look forward to the day when sales of biodegradable alternatives surpass plastic competition.
Every one of our selections for the best biodegradable bandages is fully biodegradable and compostable.
Nutricare is an Australia-based company founded by a father whose son had a negative reaction to the standard bandage. It has developed a series of Patch brand bandages, made of soft, 100% organic, sustainable and fast-growing bamboo fibers, combined with hypoallergenic pressure-sensitive adhesives. Nutricare purchases bamboo certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and OEKO-TEX Standard 100, so you can trust that the bamboo comes from a place that is not harmful to the environment and is well managed.
Patch Natural Bamboo Bandages is now distributed at more than 35,000 retailers in 41 countries/regions around the world. Each bandage is vegan, cruelty-free, latex-free, suitable for people with sensitive skin. Bamboo is a natural antibiotic, no added chemicals, good air permeability, can promote healing and prevent bacterial growth.
Each bandage is also 100% compostable, so when you are done using it, you can bury it in the garden or throw it into a compost bin.
Nutricare's packaging is also very thoughtful. The bandage wrapping paper is made of plastic-free rice paper. You will get a compostable bandage made from 25 recyclable (and recyclable) cardboard tubes measuring 3.3 inches x 0.75 inches. Natural dyes are printed on the tube.
Nutricare is a certified B company that is legally required to maintain high environmental and labor standards. To offset global shipping and other emissions, Nutricare supports organizations such as Trees For The Future. Nutricare also donated its products to countries suffering from natural disasters such as East Timor and Haiti, as well as COVID-19 medical staff and people affected by the Australian bushfires.
If you like Patch’s natural bandages, check out its other options, including therapeutic aloe vera, activated charcoal (see Best Large) and Children’s Coconut Oil Panda Bandage (see Best Children).
When you try to green your house, the increased costs can be overwhelming, but switching to biodegradable bandages does not necessarily make you bankrupt. For the earth. By us. (FEBU) The price of organic bamboo bandages is approximately US$0.20 each. FEBU's mission is to create sustainable and affordable alternatives to disposable products.
A pack of 75 bandages includes three convenient sizes to meet standard household needs. Each bandage is free of latex and plastic, cruelty and vegan. The soft, elastic organic bamboo fabric is gentle on your skin, breathable to promote healing, but durable enough to avoid abrasion. Bamboo itself is a sustainable source certified by FSC.
FEBU bandages use hypoallergenic pressure-sensitive adhesives. Customers say this adhesive can hold the bandages well and will not feel pain when removed.
FEBU bandages can be completely decomposed in about 10 weeks after composting. The packaging is also 100% recyclable and plastic-free.
Since you put it directly on the wound and wear it on the skin for a few days to a few weeks, it makes sense that you need a bandage made of organic materials. Essentials of Life Organics 100% biodegradable bamboo bandage is made from sustainably and organically grown bamboo, so it is free of plastic and latex. Each disposable sterile bandage is safe for sensitive skin and is 100% compostable after use.
A cardboard box contains 20 sterile strips, 10 of which are in two sizes: 3 x 0.7 inches and 2.25 x 0.6 inches.
Essence of Life Organics is a family owned and operated small business located in Toronto, Canada. It provides a wide range of 100% biodegradable, plastic-free, and zero-waste products that are made and planned with sustainability and climate goals in mind.
Combining several small bandages to cover larger wounds is not only insufficient, but also not cost-effective. Nutricare's Patch Large Bamboo Bandages and Activated Charcoal come in 10 packs and are available in two sizes: a 3 inch x 2 inch rectangle and a 3 inch square.
Patch Large Bamboo Bandages are also available in plain colors, aloe vera or coconut oil (red panda printed on it!). We chose the activated carbon version of the Nutricare large bandage, partly because of strong evidence that the absorbing carbon in the bandage helps control odors. There are also limited studies that indicate that activated charcoal may help healing.
Nutricare's Patch brand is one of the earliest zero waste bandages on the market. It is also environmentally and socially aware (see the best overall).
Children are the biggest consumers of bandages, so it makes sense that we only want the best for them. Sometimes, interesting bandages can distract young children from the pain of injury. Nutricare's Patch Coconut Oil Kids Bandages are designed for children, although adults may also like the cute panda design.
The coconut oil in the gauze can help relieve minor abrasions, prevent itching and provide moisture to sensitive skin. If you like the Coconut Oil Kids variety, these large bandages are also available in aloe and activated charcoal varieties, or without any additives.
Patch's biodegradable natural adhesive bandage strips (check on the free packaging) have all the characteristics you need, without the toxic and plastic materials of typical bandages. Customers noticed that their effects are as good as the major bandage brands. However, if your budget is tight, don't let it prevent you from biodegrading. Try the FEBU Organic Bamboo Bandage (view on Amazon). They are a bit more affordable, and the reviews are equally good.
It is often difficult to determine what the bandage is made of because the manufacturer does not need to disclose the material on the packaging or website. However, most biodegradable bandages today are made of bamboo, which is woven into a soft fabric. Look for bamboo that has passed third-party sustainable procurement certification.
Equally important is the material used to cover the adhesive part of the bandage and to wrap each individual bandage during transportation. There are better environmentally friendly paper materials than typical plastic strips, which has led to our global microplastics problem.
Fortunately, even plastic bandages are often packaged in recyclable cardboard or tin containers. But even better is cardboard made from post-consumer recycled cardboard, which can reuse the material many times.
Choose bandages that are individually wrapped in recyclable paper or other materials, and avoid any packaging made of plastic or other non-recyclable materials.
A product can be offered on a global scale very cheaply, but this convenience sometimes involves the exploitation of company workers. Whenever possible, spend your hard-earned money on companies that pay their employees a living wage, provide a safe working environment, and give back to communities that help them grow and succeed. The term "fair trade" usually encompasses these ideals. Some third-party organizations independently verify and certify fair trade practices, so please look for certifications from organizations such as Fair For Life on packaging and websites. However, not all third-party certifications are the same, so doing some additional research can help ensure that you trade fairly.
Check the "About" section of the company's website for clues about its environmental and social responsibilities. They often list fair trade practices and any third-party certifications there, as well as the charity programs they participate in, such as 1% for the Planet, and the company promises to donate part of its income to environmental non-profit organizations.
Almost all commercially produced bandages are sterilized and individually packaged, so the bandage you place on the wound does not contain a source of infection. However, if the bandages you buy are not individually packaged, they are unlikely to remain sterile once the package is opened.
Although bamboo plants have evolved some natural resistance to bacteria and fungi, products made from processed bamboo often lose this resistance. Therefore, although bamboo bandages are sterile at first, they will not remain in this state. Those who completely seal around the wound along all edges can stop bacteria for longer than those with open edges.
To keep the wound hygienic, change the bandage regularly-daily or as recommended by your healthcare provider.
The short answer is no, although it should not matter. The biodegradable bandage can last for several weeks. Because it is important to change bandages regularly, biodegradable bandages are as effective as plastic bandages.
However, when discarded after use, there is a huge difference between biodegradable bandages and plastic bandages.
Compared with typical plastic bandages, biodegradable bandages have several advantages, including that they are compostable. Although there is a link between biodegradable and compostable, they are not the same thing. Although objects can biodegrade naturally over time, the composting process involves human intervention. Some products can be marked as compostable, but in reality they only become compost when placed in a municipal composting facility under high temperature and pressure.
Biodegradable bandages buried in the garden or sent to composting facilities may last up to 10 weeks. PVC plastic bandages left in the sun may degrade into several toxic chemicals within a hundred years, but buried in a landfill, without light and oxygen, they may take a thousand years to completely decompose.
Lorraine Wilde has only the highest standards for her family's skin. She also holds a master's degree in environmental science, with a focus on toxicology. Lorraine firmly believes that consumers can make healthy, informed and sustainable choices to protect their families and our planet.
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Akhmetova A, Saliev T, Allan IU, Illsley MJ, Nurgozhin T, Mikhalovsky S. A comprehensive review of local odor control treatment options for chronic wounds. J Wound ostomy incontinence nurse. 2016;43(6):598-609. doi:10.1097/WON.0000000000000273
Scheer HS, Kaiser M, Zingg U. Results of direct application of activated carbon cloth to chronic wounds: a preliminary study. Journal of Wound Care. 2017 August 2; 26(8): 476-481. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2017.26.8.476
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