The short answer is no. We have done extensive testing to ensure that Smart Gravel is safe for soil, water, and all other applications. You can view the results of our leachate and toxicology tests here. 

And here is why: Our process turns the mixed plastics into a new plastic polymer, stable and inert, meaning it’s neutral in its interaction with other elements. Additionally, because our process reduces the surface area of the plastic waste 100’s of times over, it will not degrade or release micro-plastics like a plastic bag or other plastic films typically would over time. Think of it just like the plastic hose you water your plants with or the plastic pipes and containers used for hydroponic growth.

There are many uses for Smart Gravel! It is used as an aggregate in concrete, a substrate in hydroponics, and a drainage/decoration option for landscaping and gardening. Smart Gravel is sold in bulk to construction, landscaping, and hydroponics farms, and sold by the bag to garden enthusiasts and plant cultivators. 

Arqlite Smart Gravel can replace mineral gravel and other aggregates like expanded clay in a variety of ways. It is 3x lighter than mineral gravel, 10x better for thermal and acoustic insulation, and long-lasting. In hydroponics, it is dust-free, pH neutral, and perfectly sized to save hours of preparation time.

It is true! 100% of the material used for Arqlite Smart Gravel is made from discarded plastics. We clean, condition and treat each piece to create our product.