Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About Glean Solution
1. What solution does Glean provide?
Glean currently offers controlled-life plastic products, where plastic products are made biodegradable within a controlled timeframe. In contrast to ordinary plastics that normally take many decades to degrade, Glean controlled-life plastic can naturally biodegrade by the end of the pre-programmed service life set during manufacturing, depending on application.
This solution is designed to combat plastic pollution by eliminating plastics in the open environment. Glean plastic is biodegradable in the dark or sunlight, heat or cold, land or sea, leaving no fragment, no methane nor harmful residues thus no pollution and damage to the environment and wildlife.
2. How does the solution work?
Glean adopts the controlled-life plastic technology, namely d2w®, which is a carefully researched and tested oxo-biodegradable additive. At the end of plastic service life, d2w® breaks the polymer and reduces the molecular weight to a level that is accessible by microorganisms. When the polymer is broken down into carbon and hydrogen, the material is no longer plastic and they are bio-assimilated the same way as natural waste, so called biodegradation by microorganisms. The process converts plastics into carbon dioxide, water and biomass that return to the nature.
3. How long does it take to biodegrade?
There is no precise answer when measuring timescale for biodegradation, although timescale for the abiotic phase (breaking down of polymer chain) can be predicted by laboratory tests. This is because heat and light in the open environment will accelerate the process, but not essential, therefore the conditions for biodegradation to take place will determine the timescale.
It is important to know that d2w® comes into play at the end of products useful life. The average useful life of oxo-biodegradable plastics is designed to be about 18 months (to allow for distribution, stocking, and re-use), but shorter or longer times are possible as it can be programmed to biodegrade in whatever timescale is required.
4. Does Glean oxo-biodegradable plastics contain “heavy metals”?
No. It contains metal salts, which are trace elements required in the human diet. They should not be confused with toxic heavy metals such as Lead, Mercury, Cadmium and Chromium, which are never used in oxo-biodegradable plastics.
5. Does Glean oxo-biodegradable plastics leave any harmful residues?
No. Oxo-biodegradable plastic passes all the usual ecotoxicity tests, including seed germination, plant growth and organism survival (daphnia, earthworms) tests carried out in accordance with OECD 208 standards and EN13432.
6. Is Glean oxo-biodegradable plastic safe for food-contact?
Yes. Oxo-biodegradable plastic has been certified by RAPRA Technology Analytical Laboratories as safe for long-term contact with any food type at temperatures up to 40°C according to European regulations. RAPRA is accredited by the United Kingdom accreditation authorities as meeting the requirements of International Standards Organisation norm no.17025. Oxo-biodegradable plastics are also certified as compliant with FDA requirements in the US.
Other approved regulation bodies include The European Union 2002/72/EEC regulations, FDA American requirements, CFIA Canadian requirements, Brazilian ANVISA requirements and UAE Standards UAE.S5009/2009
7. How long is the shelf-life of Glean oxo-biodegradable plastic?
An average shelf life is 18 months (in condition of no direct sunlight, cool and dry area) while the average useful life is designed to be about 18 months (to allow for distribution, stocking, and re-use), but shorter or longer times are possible.
The overall useful lifetime of Glean oxo-biodegradable plastics can be programmed to whatever timescale is required, depending on use and application.
8. Is the controlled-life plastic technology compliant to national and international standards?
In Malaysia, the d2w® technology that Glean adopts is certified under MyHIJAU – Malaysia’s green recognition scheme endorsed by the Government of Malaysia (Listing Number: MyHP00201/18-W003)
Internationally, the d2w technology is certified by the Oxo-biodegradable Plastic Association and is compliant to the British Standard 8472, American Standard ASTM D6954, UAE Standard 5009:2009, French Accord T51-808 and Sweden standards SPCR 141. The French Standards organisation, AFNOR, has also published XP T 54-980, for oxo-biodegradable plastics in agriculture.
ASTM D6954 contains no less than six pass/fail criteria.
1. For the abiotic phase of the test (6.3 - 5% e-o-b and 5,000 DA)
2. The tests for metal content and other elements (6.9.6)
3. Gel content (6.6.1)
4. Ecotoxicity (6.9.6 -6.9.10)
5. PH value (6.9.6)
6. For the biodegradation phase (for unless at least 60% of the organic carbon is converted to carbon dioxide the test cannot be considered completed).
It is for customers and governments to decide what timescales are acceptable to them.
General
1. Besides online store, is there a physical store for me to purchase Glean products?
Currently, Glean products are available in several physical retailers and merchants located in Penang, and we are expanding! Please contact us if you would like to visit our physical merchant and we will send you a list of locations.
2. How much is the shipping fee if I order online?
When you order via our official webstore, we offer different shipping rates based on the logistic company you choose during check out.
2. Do you ship worldwide?
Yes! If you are from outside of Malaysia, kindly order through our official webstore.
There will be an option for international shipping and you will see the shipping rates based on different countries. In case you cannot find the option, please email us at gleanplastic@gmail.com so our customer support will respond to you right away.
3. How long would I receive my products after making payment?
For orders within Malaysia, it usually takes 3-5 business days for your order to arrive after sending out from our warehouse.
For orders being made via our official webstore, you can always track your parcel using the tracking number provided, shipment duration will vary based on the logistic company you picked during check out.
If you couldn’t track your order and your order have not arrive for more than a week, kindly drop us an email at gleanplastic@gmail.com to review your order status.
4. What kind of payment options do you provide?
Currently, there are a few payment methods in our official webstore:
1. Bank transfer
2. Credit/Debit cards
3. FPX Online Banking
For orders made via offline, we also collect payment through bank cheques.
5. I am not satisfied with my products, can I ask for a refund?
Yes. We stand behind our products and your satisfaction are important to us.
Kindly refer to our Return and Refund Policy to lodge a refund.
6. I am interested in becoming a retailer of Glean products, how do I buy your products at wholesale?
This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Please contact us to join our distribution channel and be a part of bringing innovated green plastic products!
7. Are you open to collaboration or partnerships?
Definitely yes! We are looking for like-minded organizations to have partnership / collaboration in bringing green impact together. Kindly contact us if you are interested in working together!
8. I am interested in your controlled-life plastic technology, do you accept custom made / OEM orders?
Yes. If you would like to custom made your controlled-life plastic bags by printing your logo, kindly contact us for enquiry!
