The Problem

Did you know that 90% of plastics produced are destined for the landfill? Traditional plastic can take hundreds of years to degrade, only further littering the earth with microplastics. We didn’t want a product that was only going to contribute to this statistic, so we decided to thoughtfully design Loami Nails for their inevitable destination.

Microbe Magic

Although plastics are considered a synthetic material, the atoms that make up a polymer chain mainly consist of carbon and hydrogen- the main components that also make up organic matter. The outdated concepts used for bioplastics is to alter the plastic molecule; resulting in weak atomic bonds that make plastics brittle and not functional (no one likes a chipped mani!). 

Instead of rearranging atoms, we’ve utilized biochemistry to give synthetic plastic the opportunity to biodegrade in the same mode as plant matter. The components of our nails help microorganisms produce the correct enzyme to naturally break apart atomic bonds, turning our plastic nails into their food! Once consumed by the plethora of microorganisms living in our landfills, the remnants of our nails work their way through their digestive tract and come out as loam, the organic material that makes up our soil.

Soil Health

Our artificial nails nourish a number of microorganisms, ensuring microbial diversity which greatly adds to soil health. In addition, happy microbes in our soil help to sequester carbon from the atmosphere and are an integral part in reversing the effects of climate change.

Renewable Energy Capture

This process of biodegradation naturally results in the creation of carbon dioxide and methane gases, also known as Landfill Gases (LFGs). But don’t worry, although landfills get a bad rep, modern landfills are environmentally sound anaerobic digesters that are specifically designed to collect these LFGs (by law). More good news, 85% of disposed plastic ends up in a modern landfill. 

These Energy Generation Facilities harness this biogas, renewable energy to create power! Did you know that according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the solid waste industry currently produces nearly half of America’s renewable energy?! That’s enough energy to power nearly 1.2 million homes for a year! 

The biodegradation of Loami Nails can take as little as 5 years, aligning perfectly with when modern landfill facilities collect LFGs (between year 2 and year 50), so gases from our nails won’t leak into the atmosphere.

  • ASTM D5511

    Verifies that a material is biodegradable in high heat, high moisture, no light, limited oxygen environments by replicating the environment found in an anaerobic digester.

  • ASTM D5526

    Provides realistic results of biodegradation rates of a material in the typical conditions found in municipal landfills.

  • ASTM D5988

    Provides a realistic representation of biodegradation, should a material be disposed of in an environment where it will be exposed to moisture, oxygen, and in contact with soil. Also referred to as the “litter” test.

  • Bio-Methane Potential

    Verifies if a material can be digested by microorganisms within an environment with no/limited oxygen and limited light; determines the true biochemical methane potential and degradation profile of a material in anaerobic landfills.