Are Gel Blaster Balls Biodegradable? We Have The Answers!
Struggling to find out if gel blaster balls are biodegradable? Get all the answers you need and learn more about their environmental impact.
If you're an avid outdoor enthusiast, chances are you've heard of gel blaster balls that are shot out of Orbeez guns. These small, spherical balls are made from a biodegradable and non-toxic polymer material and can be used in a variety of outdoor play scenarios.
But what exactly are gel balls? How do they work? And most importantly, are they biodegradable? In this article, we'll answer all those questions and more so that you can make informed decisions when it comes to choosing the right products for your shooting needs.
What is a Gel Blaster Ball?
Gel balls are small spherical objects made from a 100% biodegradable, non-toxic, super absorbent polymer material. This material is also known as sodium polyacrylate.
When these balls come into contact with water, they expand to form a soft gel-like substance that can be used for various active play scenarios.
They're popular among gamers because they provide an easy way to simulate real-world combat situations without having to use potentially dangerous materials like paintballs or airsoft pellets.
Gel blasters can shoot the gel beads at long range and is fun for kids and adults alike.
Properties of Gel Blaster Balls
Gel balls have several unique properties that make them great for game scenarios. For starters, they're extremely lightweight and don't cause any significant injury upon impact.
Additionally, since they're made from a biodegradable material, they can quickly break down after use instead of leaving behind any trace of their existence. Finally, since the material is non-toxic and super absorbent, it will not leave any residue on surfaces or clothing when it breaks down.
A water bead blaster shoots these hydrogel balls and they break in to small fragments upon impact. They then evaporate making them an environmentally friendly option for your outdoor games!
Pro tip: Always wear safety glasses to avoid eye injuries when firing gel balls to avoid a trip to the emergency department!
The Environmental Impact of Gel Blaster Balls
Since gel beads are made from 100% biodegradable materials, they do not pose any significant risk to the environment if disposed of properly. While some types of non-biodegradable materials may take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down naturally in the environment, gel ball blaster water beads can break down much faster.
The exact time depends on the amount of exposure to sunlight or other environmental factors like humidity levels and temperature changes. This makes them much more eco-friendly than their non-biodegradable counterparts and reduces the amount of waste left behind after playing sessions.
Types Of Biodegradable Materials Used In Gel Blaster Balls
There are several types of biodegradable materials used in gel blaster balls including polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), starch blends (PBAT), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), cellulose acetate (CAA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polypropylene glycols (PPGs) and sorbitol esters (SE).
Each type has its own unique characteristics that make it ideal for different applications such as weight distribution or shape retention during impact with other objects like walls or floors.
Benefits Of Using Biodegradable Gel Blaster Balls
There are several advantages when using biodegradable gel beads compared to their non-biodegradable counterparts including:
- Reduced environmental impact due to quicker breakdown times.
- Improved safety due to the lack of potentially hazardous materials.
- Cost savings thanks to cheaper production costs.
- Better performance due to optimized shape retention properties.
- Reduced clean up times since there's no need for postgame disposal.
- Less storage space required since these types won't take up much room in your home or garage!
Potential Drawbacks To Using Biodegradable Products
Although there are many benefits associated with using biodegradable products like water beads over traditional alternatives, there may be some potential drawbacks worth considering too before making your final decision such as:
- Biodegradable gel balls may not have adequate durability to last through multiple uses.
- Biodegradable gel blaster balls can easily be dispersed in water.
- They lack longevity to last for long periods of time in harsh conditions.
Pros And Cons Of Using Non-Biodegradable Alternatives To Gel Blaster Balls
An alternative solution could be using classic foam darts, which come with certain benefits such as better accuracy from the heavier weight. Faster speeds due to lightness of the material. Superior resilience in comparison to biomaterials and less expensive production costs.
The other options are paintballs and airsoft neither of which is good for the environment. Paintballs are comprised of petroleum-based ingredients, and when used outdoors on grass or other surfaces, can damage the environment.
Airsoft guns shoot BBs that are made from a plastic material that does not biodegrade naturally and therefore needs to be removed with proper disposal methods.
Of course this means more ecological damage since they don't decompose quickly once discarded!
Thoughts On Biodegradable Gel Balls?
Once all advantages and disadvantages related to both biomaterials and conventional alternatives such as foam darts have been taken into consideration, it is evident that selecting eco-friendly bio degrades is the most sensible route!
Biodegradable gel blaster balls provide a safe yet fun way to enjoy recreational shooting without the accompanying risks of damage to our environment or potential harm to players.
They are much easier and faster to clean up afterwards and they help us do our part in reducing the amount of plastic waste in landfills. All this makes these type of products the obvious choice for an environmentally conscious user.
Not only do these provide superior performance qualities but also reduce our impact on our planet too - win win situation if ever there was one!
Conclusion
As people become more conscious about their environmental footprint while engaging in fun activities like involving gel blasters. It is important that we look into sustainable solutions that still provide us with an enjoyable experience while protecting our planet at the same time.
With this article we explored what makes up a gel blaster ball, how it works, and its environmental impacts. Ultimately its clear that given its superior performance qualities & minimal environmental footprint, bio degrades should be seriously considered for use in future gaming scenarios!