9 replies to this topic

[{MIA}Gmac]

We have set up a new web site dedicated to Bio BBs although obviously we have a commercial interest in selling Bio BBs as we specialize in them, having used them on our game site for over 3 yrs.

We are also UK Soil Association Farmers and have been for over 17 years, so have interests in things biodegradable and organically ethical.

We would genuinely like sensible comment on available varieties and players opinions of their quality when used.

The scientific information you can give about their construction and degradation would be of great use. Also their physical performance as a BB, there is no excuse for anything being inferior just because its Biodegradable. So its no good saying my BBs are a little rough but they have to be because they are Bio.

As there is not a great deal of use of Bios in the UK I am hoping some of the more enlightened international players can help.

http://www.biodegradable-bb.com

Picture is of Biotech after 8 months of biodegrading exposed to soill microbes.

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Edited by {MIA}Gmac, 03 July 2007 - 12:57 PM.

[DazJW]

Is that picture of them new or after some breakdown?

[{MIA}Gmac]

Well I have modified the original post to explain, although I would think it unlikely that was a picture before rather than after

Although saying tha I have seen some Bio offerings that were not that much better when new

Edited by {MIA}Gmac, 03 July 2007 - 01:01 PM.

[Pinkfloyd]

Is that picture of them new or after some breakdown?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, it says on the website that those are after 8 months of breakdown, and the BBs fully degrade after 18 months.

[evilliboba]

Interesting site.

I wonder what kind my local skirmish field uses. We used to have Excels then we switch to the POS 1stTarget now we have these others. They aren't labeled. All I know is: they only come in .2g, they are white, smooth as a KCS, and just slightly less shinny than a KCS.

I have had several in a cup of pond water for 3 months now in the sun light and the BBs are still as hard and smooth as they ever was.

[{MIA}Gmac]

When we first started we were assured by various apparently knowledgeable players that normal Excel's were degradable ( I think due to the back of the bags said harmless or words to that effect). and I put a sample of into Dairy Parlour washing Acid and Bleach for 6 months and when I took them out they were just nice and white.

Very few UK sites use Bio BBs, but I know in California when an associate was researching, they reckoned a big airsoft game would constitute a hazardous waste spillage with conventional BBs. But you would have a better understanding of Ca environmental law evilliboba

Non Bio 1st Target are not biodegradable.

Another worry we have at the moment is many of the BIO BBs are made from Corn Starch which is now being vacuumed up by the Ethanol industry, and we may be heading for a general world wide grain shortage, as this industry takes off, so it might be wise to stock up on your Corn Flakes ( Organic of course ).

Edited by {MIA}Gmac, 04 July 2007 - 07:44 AM.

[ViscountCharles]

Has anyone done any serious research on whether there are - or should be - limits on the types of pellets used in airsoft? I'm thinking that at most sites we're leaving an awful lot of plastic lying around, and I wonder at what point that might prove "problematic"?

[{MIA}Gmac]

Most sites are not owned by the people who run them so there is not so much of a direct association between the land and its future, also because under heavy use much of the BBs get trodden in they are "out of sight out of mind".

Our site is on our own farmland and up till the stoppage in Biotech production you would have had to look quite hard to see any BBs on the ground in the woods or tracks.
Last September we had to change to white Bios and even after one game you immediately saw the difference. ( we normally use beige or pale green ) Biotech production has restarted and now many of the other bio makes are starting to make off white and colour bios,
Non white bbs are better as they are less intrusive, and show less while biodegrading plus make the shooter harder to spot, and shot harder to avoid.

Paint ball sites, which are now being used more often for Airsoft, are used to having biodegradable ammo and probably assume that BBs are as well.

[Melonfish]

to be honest some of the woodland sites we all play on are what? anywhere between 100-700 years old? i mean seriously this is heritage we're playing on half the time people. i would LOVE to see bio-degradables made COMPULSORY for such sites. in the interest of preservation, there are alot of old and lovely tree's about and we should treasure them as they're not exactly spreading these days (spot the druid)

urban yeah shoot the nylon ###### but woodland we should consider not just our childrens future but our noobs futures, if we fill the sites we love with white plastic ###### they'll get shut down because of polution concerns! and our fave airsoft sites will dissapear!

well worth thinking about yeah?
pete

[CeruleanSentinel]

Me too. I think that ALL BBs should be bio. Even CQB arenas that sweep them up and chuck them are throwing plastic into landfills. We play outside and we are shooting tons of plastic into our precious environment. If our parents and grandparents didnt give a turd, we should.