Our Materials

At our core, Moonkind Studios is committed to sustainability and we continually strive to make our small business as environmentally friendly as possible. One aspect of this commitment involves our use of two materials to make our products: Jesmonite and PolyLactic Acid (PLA). 

Jesmonite

This gypsum/polymer based material is a non-toxic, water-based composite material made up of 60% gypsum & 40% acrylic polymer. It is non-solvent producing and does not emit any VOCs. For these reasons, it is generally regarded as being a type of eco-resin. Gypsum is a very common material which is largely considered eco-friendly and sustainable (depending, of course, on the processes used to obtain it).

The acrylic polymer used to mix with the gypsum is water based. This is in contrast to other acrylics (such as the very common epoxy resin you may often see) which create fumes and solvents considered 'toxic' to us and the environment.

When this water based polymer is mixed with gypsum it allows makers to create an incredibly variety of products that look amazing and are also very sturdy and durable. The benefit of this is that products last a long time. Longevity is a key factor to consider in determining sustainability. An additional benefit is it can also be broken down and reused again and again in the creation of other things (something we do frequently!)

Added to this, you have to take into account how sustainable the industry and the practices of the companies involved are. One brand that akes this material is Jesmonite, and they create their materials in accordance with BS EN 9001:2015. From our research, we believe in the company's commitment to employing sustainable practices.

PLA

PLA is a biodegradable polymer derived from renewable resources like corn and sugar canes, unlike traditional petroleum-based plastics.

Biodegradability of PLA

While PLA is considered biodegradable, it does require specific conditions to break down effectively. Standard anaerobic food composters, for example, do not efficiently degrade PLA within the standard time frame. Research shows that PLA still remains after 250 days in such composters, indicating that simply disposing of PLA in food waste bins is not a viable solution.

However, promising research is ongoing into methods of breaking down PLA into its base components, lactic acid, and methane. These methods, although still experimental, highlight the potential for more efficient biodegradation processes in the future.

PLA Recycling Initiatives

Currently, many organisations and private companies offer PLA recycling services. These services are becoming more accessible, and a quick online search for "YOUR COUNTRY + PLA recycling" can provide you with local options. For instance, we have a nearby recycling service in Essex where we can send our PLA scraps (although we make so little waste we haven't needed to yet!) and a council close to use actually allows for PLA recycling too. 

Our Commitment to Minimal Waste

We pride ourselves on a production process that minimises waste. Since we make everything to order, our waste is currently negligible, and we haven't accumulated enough to send to a recycling facility. However, we are actively working towards creating a closed-loop manufacturing process. This future initiative will allow us to reuse any PLA waste in new products through methods such as injection molding and homemade filament extruding.

Taking Responsibility for Your PLA Products

We also extend our commitment to sustainability to our customers. If you have purchased a PLA product from us and wish to dispose of it, we will happily cover the shipping costs for you to send it back to us. This way, we can ensure it is recycled or appropriately disposed of, and potentially used to create new products.

Additional Environmental Efforts

Beyond managing our use of Jesmonite and PLA, we are continually exploring and implementing other environmentally friendly practices. Our goal is to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our business, ensuring that our impact on the planet is as positive as possible.