Won't this eventually break down and leach plastic into the soil and trees?
1709261
Mine has been completely intact for several years. I use them in my flower beds, to prevent rain run-off from eroding the soil away from my azaleas.
1709262
I have been using mine for over a year, and they are still just as effective as they first were. I think if it were to break down, it would take so long, that the tree would have outgrown the tree ring by that time! You will probably have to remove it eventually, as the trunk circumference increases in size. I have them placed around young fruit trees. They are perfect for that use. If you need to weedwhack around them, you can get "protectors" for the base of the trunk, so you won't scar up the bark around the bottom, and kill the tree that way. If you should accidentally cut into the tender bark, you can use "Pruning sealer" on the wound, thereby "bandaging" its wound. You should get good use from these, and when the tree "outgrows" them, re-use them for more young trees.
1413218
I haven't tried it with plastic. The manufacturer recommended metal so that is what I use.
584598
Yes but it is portioned out so all you do is throw it in and you are good. The plastic dissolves in the water.
573260
this is a good point which I would like to know as I want to get one of these but not if an unhealthy chemical is leaching into the water from heating of the plastic. If anyone knows about this I would love to know. thanks
1047993
I think that any hot liquid that comes into contact with plastic would be the cause for the release of some of the polymers to be released into the food material. I am a maple producer in Vt and we no longer sell our syrup in plastic... glass only.
537555
If it's syrup, water and CO2, you're fine. Look at the ingredients for some possible ingredients that may react with the plastic. There's so much stuff in the liquid we are unfamiliar with.
701715
I doubt it, it is a powders that needs to be dissolved in a gallon or so of water.
1988252
Todd,The reservoir is plastic. I didn't think about plastic leaching. The unit works really good. May I ask how you know the reservoir leaches.CF
30278
hi! I have this device and I haven't worried about the plastic components because the water moves very quickly through the system, until it fully drains. As far as I can tell it never sits in the device or in the tubing so leaching from the plastic doesn't seem to be a concern.. hope that helps!
1839677
Not sure about trees. It does sterilize the soil. I think it killed my honeysuckle vines
1973501
I don't know is the only answer I have. You need to ask the manufacturer. Some plastics withstand heat better than others.
355400
Not sure but would think plastic would more likely do that. I love my metal one!
1894308
As far as I know, plastic that will break down into tiny little pieces is still plastic and that is not truly biodegradeable. Cornstarch I think is biodegradeable but I am having difficulty finding cornstarch bags since the ones I used to buy were recalled.
1748168
Bentonite should never be packaged in plastic. Because of its extreme drawing properties, bentonite can leach petrochemicals from plastic bottles.
1139276
yes. but it is thick and very durable under normal usage. of course, it would melt. as plastic, it does not damage what it is gripping
783782
Since it's a combination of plastic and carbon, I don't think so, but given the number of plastic bottless it has saved, it's still a very green product, if this is what concerns you.
507462
In answer to your question, no, it takes more than just a few days for waste to decompose. More like weeks. I just wanted to reduce landfill waste by helping nature along. This product was never successful for me. It killed the grass around it and my yard stunk horribly. I ended up pulling out after a year and now am back to scooping and dumping the waste in the garbage. I really wanted this to work.