Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is a naturally abundant, renewable resource and it’s all around us; it actually makes up 4% of the earth’s crust. It is found in a variety of sources, including marble, limestone, and chalk, and is a foundational building block for snail shells, coral, pearls, and eggshells. Our calcium carbonate is responsibly and sustainably sourced by our stone partner from 180+ locations around the world.
Yes, it has been used in very small amounts as a “filler”. Made From Stone’s innovative processes allow the majority of our compounds to be made out of calcium carbonate, displacing most of the toxic petrochemicals that make up plastic.
Made From Stone technology is an upstream solution, meaning we substitute calcium carbonate for traditional resins the source, reducing the plastic and CO2 emissions from the moment of manufacture. Calcium carbonate is already a natural substance that doesn’t need to degrade and can be re-used by our environment without significant modification.
At Okeanos, we pride ourselves on being honest. Yes, there is still a small amount of plastic resin in products using Made From Stone’s proprietary compounds. At our Okeanos Innovation Center, we are working toward more sustainable solutions, including a fully natural binder.
In the meantime, the unfortunate truth is that only 9% of recyclable items are actually recycled, and less than 5% of compostable items are actually composted. Made From Stone is designed to cause less environmental impact where most of these products actually wind up––landfills, incinerators, or the open environment. Made From Stone technology enables manufacturers and brands to reduce the environmental impact of their products before they get into the hands of consumers, eliminating a significant portion of the plastic, and dramatically reducing the product’s CO2 footprint.
For every kilo of plastic produced, 3 kilos of CO2 are released. For every kilo of calcium carbonate we use, only 45 grams (0.045 kg) are released. Sourcing calcium carbonate and manufacturing our compounds locally also reduces the need for long-distance transport, which ultimately decreases our overall carbon footprint.
No! In most parts of the world, calcium carbonate is cheaper than the petrochemicals it replaces, which means that we can keep the costs of our compounds low. Made From Stone technology can be adopted at the same price point or less than current virgin plastic products.
Simply put, the volume of plastic that is produced and incorrectly disposed of today is the greatest threat to our environment. An estimated 8 million tons of plastic trash wind up in our oceans every year, where it is often mistakenly ingested by animals. This can cause serious injury or death and contaminates the overall food chain. Plastic production itself is also extremely detrimental to the environment, as it is often accompanied by a huge carbon footprint.
Yes, but with two exceptions. It cannot be made clear, and it cannot handle substances with high acidity without a liner.
Each production process is different and each finished product has different specifications based on varying design requirements for different products (greater resistance, greater elasticity, various shapes, color, and finishes). Our ultimate goal is to increase the concentration of calcium carbonate to 97%––equal to that of an eggshell, nature’s most perfect package.
Believe it or not, our stone isn’t heavy! Our patented technology ensures that Made from Stone products have a density less than 1, meaning they can float! This matters because it enables products Made From Stone to be sorted and processed in recycling facilities with other plastic products. However, it’s important to note that recycling capabilities vary based on where you are.
Made From Stone products can degrade and then bio-degrade with the use of a degradant in roughly 2.5 years, which is much quicker than the four hundred years required for traditional plastic to completely degrade!
Yes! Unlike paper or cardboard products, products Made From Stone are durable. They can easily be washed and reused