Plastic ponchos are made from fossil fuels like crude oil and natural gas which are the same non-renewable resources driving climate change.

Designed for single use, they’re often discarded after just one wear, creating an immediate plastic waste problem.

Most end up in landfills, oceans, or scattered across the environment, where they persist for hundreds of years. 

A single-use convenience shouldn’t have a centuries long impact.

They can take up to 500 years to break down, and even then they never truly disappear. Instead, they fragment into microplastics: tiny particles less than 5 millimetres in size that contaminate soil, waterways, and the food chain for generations.

Microplastics are now a growing public health concern. They’ve been found in drinking water, food, marine life, and even inside our bodies, making them a lasting and invisible threat to our planet.

The Bio Poncho is 100% plant based, made entirely from cornstarch, and certified for home and industrial composting. The Bio Poncho is the most sustainable poncho worldwide and is entirely carbon-neutral made from renewable resources.

Many of our customers have made the switch to our Bio Poncho because it's truly circular. Made from 100% organic matter (cornstarch), once disposed of, it naturally breaks down into nutrient-rich compost without leaving behind any toxic residues.

Beyond its sustainability benefits, the Bio Poncho is also highly preferred for its velvety-soft texture, improved breathability and superior comfort.

Its enhanced elasticity and durability ensures it fits better in windy or active conditions, and is far less likely to tear.

Whilst some plastic ponchos may technically be recyclable, that should not be the goal. Labelling something as recyclable does not make it sustainable, and makes it sound greener than it truly is. Most are single use and never actually get recycled.

In the United States only 5% of plastic waste is recycled, in Australia, it’s 12.5%, and in Canada, 16%.

This means even a so-called recyclable poncho is far more likely to end up in landfill, the ocean, or scattered as litter, causing long-term harm to ecosystems and wildlife.

Recycling programs, whilst better than nothing, still rely heavily on external factors outside of their control. Whilst well-intentioned, it’s not perfect with more plastic waste than necessary still ending up in landfill.

However, let’s imagine the recycling program is perfect, what about on the way in? What is being handed to guests in the first place?

If the material is still plastic, made from crude oil and natural gas, then we are continuing to feed the very problem we are trying to solve. This also accelerates climate change through the ongoing extraction and use of non-renewable fossil fuels.

True sustainability is not just about managing waste after use, but about rethinking what we use from the start.

In reality, almost anything will biodegrade eventually, given enough heat, moisture, microbial activity, and time, which can still mean centuries in a landfill.

Biodegradable plastic ponchos are designed to break down faster than traditional disposable plastic ones. The issue is its lack of clear rules. There are often no standardized requirements for how long the breakdown should take, what conditions are needed, or what the final byproducts will be.

Without clear context, these claims of biodegradability can be misleading. Much like “recyclable,” they often sound greener than they actually are, and don’t help solve the problem.

Absolutely. The Bio Poncho is generally the same thickness as a traditional plastic poncho and matches it in strength and waterproof protection.

It’s also more elastic which means it moves with your body, fits better in windy or active conditions, and is less likely to tear, making it more durable and ideal for repeated use.

Yes, you won’t find a more comfortable poncho than The Bio Poncho. Thanks to its velvety-soft texture it’s extremely breathable and feels incredible against the skin.

There's no clammy, sticky, or overheating commonly caused by traditional plastic ponchos which trap heat and humidity.

The Bio Poncho is designed to break down naturally, which means it has a limited shelf life. If stored in a cool, dry place, it should last up to two years before it starts to decompose. In comparison, a plastic poncho will last indefinitely, so if you’re looking to store the poncho for many years without using or selling it, the Bio Poncho may not be the best option.

That said, most people buy ponchos when they need them, often for single-use or short-term situations. In those cases, the Bio Poncho is the more sustainable, more comfortable, and far better choice.