If you’ve ever seen pine trees and wondered about the yellow, sticky substance they produce, that’s natural resin. It’s a fascinating substance and it has a wide variety of applications. Including the beautiful resin crafts you’ve come to love. However, there’s also synthetic resin and many people wonder about whether it’s bad for the environment. Let’s find out!

Natural Resin vs. Synthetic Resin

Natural resin has applications in all kinds of industries and, because they’re organic, they’re not bad for the environment. However, the same can’t be said of synthetic resins. Why? Because their manufacture often involves fossil fuels, which produce a lot of pollution.

The good news is that manufacturers are acknowledging the concerns and making more eco-conscious decisions. Some manufacturers have already introduced bio-resins into the market. This is an effort to fight the environmental harm of synthetic resins derived from fossil fuels and chemical processes. 

Does Resin Production Harm the Environment?

In short, yes. Resin production does harm the environment and that’s because of the complex production process. The use of fossil fuels and chemicals in making synthetic resin is one of the biggest concerns. To help you understand the harm, we have to discuss the process.

The industrial production of synthetic resins starts with heating hydrocarbons, which is called “cracking.” It’s basically a controlled application of heat that breaks the hydrocarbon molecules into simpler compounds. This creates the polymer structures that make the different types of resin.

The downside is that the process of cracking relies heavily on fossil fuels like natural gas and oil. Of course, this is a big problem because fossil fuels are one of the biggest contributors to environmental pollution. It’s also one of the leading causes of the global warming crisis. The less we support the use of fossil fuels as consumers, the better.

Are There Eco-Friendly Resins?

How environmentally friendly resin is will depend entirely on the type of resin. For example, natural resin is organic and perfectly eco-friendly. However, synthetic resin, which is manufactured using fossil fuels and chemicals, can pose risks not only to the environment but also to our health.

Fortunately, eco-friendly resins or green resins are starting to become an option. They hold a lot of promise, but they’re also quite expensive due to the related production costs. That said, it’s important to be aware of the alternatives.

Now, eco-friendly resins are quite new to the market, but they’re high-quality and a lot of people think they’re better than traditional resin. Here are the eco-friendly types of resin available today:

● Ecopoxy. Ecopoxy is a plant-based type of epoxy resin and it’s sustainably made. It’s specifically used in woodworking and it has become quite a popular option.

● Black resin. This alternative is made from recycled materials. It’s highly versatile and it’s often used for 3D printing, coatings, and crafts. With black resin, you can easily make resin art, jewelry, and many other items to maintain your resin crafting hobby.

● TerraCast resin. TerraCast resin is also made from recycled materials and it’s a well-known brand. It’s known for its durability and versatility. It’s also lightweight and 100% recyclable.

The future of eco-friendly resin alternatives looks very bright and it’s safe to say that we can expect many other options in the future. As technology evolves and the focus on eco-friendliness becomes more important, more advancements will be made in the right direction.

So, Are Resin Crafts Bad for the Environment?

Well, it all depends on the type of resin you use for your resin crafts. As discussed before, natural resin is a perfectly organic and eco-friendly alternative. Now, when it comes to synthetic resin, the tune changes.

It doesn’t only rely on fossil fuels, it also requires the use of chemicals that harm the environment and our health. Luckily, we can expect eco-friendly resin alternatives to become more popular.

Currently, there are already good options available and we’re certain more options will appear in the future. If you want to be more responsible, you can start by using eco-friendly types of resin for your DIY projects. For example, if you love doing crafts, black resin is a great alternative.

The Beauty of Resin Crafts and Art

Resin crafts and art are a wonderful way to explore your creativity. If you’re working on your resin crafting skills, you already know it’s a great hobby. Collecting resin art is also a lot of fun and it’s a hobby all on its own.

When you’re on the hunt for a resin craft manufacturer, it’s important to choose well. You want the pieces you get to be high-quality, beautiful, and long-lasting. So, you have to do your research and make sure to support manufacturers with a solid reputation. Ennas Gifts is one of those options and the product catalog speaks on its own!