What are the advantages and drawbacks of biodegradable clips?

What are biodegradable clips?

Biodegradable clips come in two main alternatives: metal rings and bio clips. With the increasing focus on sustainability, more growers are transitioning to compostable biodegradable clips. These bio clips can be composted after harvest. This eliminates the need to collect and separate clips from crop waste during crop rotation, saving labour and offering positive environmental benefits.
Most biodegradable tomato clips are made from starch or lactic acids and are certified as compostable according to DIN EN 13432 standards, making them suitable for industrial composting.

Compostable vs. biodegradable materials

When a material is labeled as compostable, it means it will degrade within a specified period under industrial conditions. On the other hand, a material is considered biodegradable when fungi and bacteria can break it down. It is important to note that while compostable materials may not necessarily be of biological origin, and conversely, materials of biological origin are not always compostable.

Differences between bio clips and plastic clips

Biodegradable clips stand apart from conventional plastic tomato clips in their material, strength, and price. Below, you'll discover the contrasts and the upsides and downsides of opting for bio clips.

Material

Most biodegradable clips are crafted from PLA, short for polylactic acid or polylactide. These bio clips, while still plastic, are of a variety that are biocompatible and can biodegrade in industrial composting facilities. They are fashioned from renewable plant-based sources like corn starch, positioning them as a sustainable substitute for traditional plastics.

+ Compostable
+ Biodegradable

Strength

Biodegradable clips closely resemble their plastic counterparts and perform similarly. They feel slightly sturdier and more rigid. However, bio clips are more prone to tearing along the fold, particularly when supporting the weight of the plant. Some growers resort to thicker clips, though this doesn't always solve the issue.

- More susceptible to tearing at the fold, even with thicker clips

How to attach biodegradable clips?

As many growers are aware, clipping the stems of tomato plants, cucumber plants, bell peppers, or other vine crops with twine is a quick and straightforward process, eliminating the need for twisting. Bio clips offer the same convenience as plastic clips for this purpose. They don't impede plant growth, thereby boosting fruit production and quality.

- Does not impede growth, leading to increased production and quality

Twisting versus clipping | The differences

Twisting and clipping are two techniques that are being used in cultivation to ensure that young plants grow in height.