Beyond Plastic, a manufacturer of single-packaging goods that feature certified biopolymers, announced a collaboration with Eco Shot to introduce biodegradable shotgun wads to the market.
Plastic Shotgun Wads are Harming the Environment
The partnership will attempt to address the impact of plastic waste on wildlife caused by conventional plastic shotgun wads, which are discharged when fired and often left uncollected.
The alliance involves Eco Shot’s successful use of Beyond Plastic’s biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) 3D print filament to create and rapidly prototype a production process and design for environmentally friendly shotgun wads.
The Difference Between the Shotgun Shells
Beyond Plastic stated in a press release that its 100% PHA biodegradable plastics are sourced from renewable resources. Additionally, PHA’s natural decomposition, through microbial action, can reduce environmental harm compared to polypropylene or polyethylene, common materials in traditional plastic wads.
According to Beyond Plastic, its 1.31 g/cm3 shotgun wads possess a higher material density than water and legacy plastics. The company explained that when the wads are discharged over water, they will sink quickly, minimizing the chance of harming wildlife.
Changing the Multi-Million Dollar Firearms Industry
The partnership anticipates that its biodegradable shotgun will transform the firearms industry, which includes around 11 million hunters and generates tens of millions of dollars in shotgun shell sales in the U.S.
Eco Shot founder Andrew Thomas said he expects the next generation of shotgun wads to enhance the hunting community’s dedication to advancing environmental practices and wildlife conservation efforts.
Image Credit: Beyond Plastic
