False. While some synthetic lubricants are inherently or readily biodegradable and some may be non-toxic, most synthetic lubricants are either highly refined petroleum or manufactured hydrocarbons. These synthetic lubricants have biodegradability and toxicity characteristics similar to non-synthetic petroleum oils, which are toxic to workers and the environment and non-biodegradable.

False.“Biodegradable” is a very loose term that essentially means that a product will eventually break down in the environment. It gives no indication of how long it takes for the product to break down nor what the product is converted into. For example, under the loosest definition of biodegradability, DDT, a toxic pesticide that has been banned from use in the United States, is biodegradable in that it breaks down in the environment. However, DDT can take more than 15 years to break down, and when it does break down, DDT forms DDD and DDE, both of which are more toxic than the original substance.

Therefore, it is important to reference standards of biodegradability. The ASTM D-5864 is a standardized test that determines biodegradability of lubricants based upon whether or not the original substance is mineralized (turned into carbon and water) and how long it takes for the substance to be mineralized. The highest classification of biodegradability for lubricants is “ultimate biodegradability.” Any other classification does not indicate that the product is environmentally friendly.

By ASTM standards, more than 60% of a product must break down into carbon and water within 28 days in order for the product to earn this classification. Typically, 70-100% of vegetable oils break down within 28 days.

Only 15-35% of mineral oil breaks down in the environment within 84 days. Mineral oils earn the lowest classification of biodegradability (Pw4) according to the ASTM D-5864.

Each of the products listed on this website have earned the classification of “ultimate biodegradability.”

2012. And at the current rate of consumption growth, the shortfall in output could reach 10 Million Barrels per Day (MBD) by 2015.

BIODEGRADABLE
Developed from high oleic content vegetable oil base stock, our products meet or exceed the ASTM D-5864 standards for ultimate biodegradability. SUSTAINABLE
Manufactured from domestically produced renewable agricultural resources, our products are certified by the USDA as
BioPreferred℠. RECYCLABLE
Our cradle-to-grave delivery service ensures that our used product is picked up, reprocessed, and reused to manufacture other bio-based products. SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Our products are non-toxic and contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), lowering emissions; reducing air, land, and water pollution; and protecting ecosystems from long-term negative impacts as a result of normal use and accidental leaks or spills. SAFE FOR WORKERS
Our products are non-toxic and contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), protecting workers from harmful emissions, toxic fumes, and potentially harmful consequences from physical contact with fluids.