FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between compostable and biodegradable?

All compostable material is biodegradable, but not all biodegradable material is compostable. Biodegradable material will break down with the help of microorganisms but does not have a time limit on degradation. For material to be compostable, it requires breakdown within a short period of time and must have the capability of breaking down into natural material such as water, carbon dioxide, and composite.

Why are you doing this now?

We have always cared about our environment and the impact that we make as individuals, but the nature of the situation is, change is slow to implement and on a large scale takes a lot of running pieces to fall in place. With that said, our consumer is always at the heart of everything we do, and as the consumer continues to push for sustainable options, so will we. At the end of the day, we have to think about the reality that we are consumers too, and we want to bring forth change.

What is this case made of?

Comprised of a proprietary blend of PLA, PBAT, and a percentage of bamboo fiber composite. In layman’s terms, plant-based plastics or bioplastics.

Will this biodegrade in my pocket?

Like any other cases, our compostable case will change texture depending on usage and what it’s exposed to over time, but rest assured it will never begin the process of degradation unless it’s at a commercial-grade composting facility or a backyard compost. 

Are you going to make all of your products eco-friendly?

You might have noticed that last year we rolled out revised 100% recyclable packaging on all of our products. Our goal is to make more changes over time as we ideate future products and roll out updates to our current lineup. We want to make changes where we can and hope that they will snowball into better improvements. Rome was not built in a day, right? The process will be slow, but it’s up to us to drive it.

Does it provide the same level of protection that UAG is known for? / Will this protect my phone?

Yes! All of our cases, including our compostable ones, are tested to military drop protection standards and have all passed. We will never compromise protection for our cases here at UAG.

Can I recycle this if I don’t have a backyard compost?

If you don’t have a backyard compost, find a local composting facility that will take your case. Unfortunately, you cannot recycle compostable material as it will contaminate the recycling process.

Does this feel like a silicone/rubber case?

Our case is not made out of silicone or rubber but has a sturdy and smooth hand-feel.

Will it turn weird colors?

As with most cases—lighter colors will just naturally show more acquired debris and will stain far more easily than darker colors will; that’s the law—we don’t make the rules. But in all seriousness, if the situation arises, you can clean your case with soap and water or with a cleaning wipe. We do recommend storing your device away from dark denim or any dark dyes as they will likely stain your case and will be quite stubborn to remove.

How long does it last?

The lifespan of your UAG case is dictated by you and the adventures that you embark on! Rest assured that with UAG you don’t have to compromise on protection as our products are designed with active lifestyles in mind.

How long will it take to break down?

There are so many different variables at play here, so the answer will vary depending on the composting environment. At an industrial composting facility, it will take about 180 days to break down at least 90%. A home composting setting is a bit trickier because it just depends on how the environment is managed, temperature, humidity, etc. With that said, in a backyard compost situation, it would take anywhere from 6 months to 4 years to break down, which in retrospect is a lot less than the thousands of years some plastics will need to biodegrade fully.

Where can I find a composter?

Reach out to your local waste management facility to guide you in the right direction or check for a local composting facility at the links below:

www.findacomposter.com

www.compostingcouncil.org/page/participants

www.compostnow.org/compost-services/