Q&A - Arqlite Smart Gravel - The light and sustainable alternative to gravel

Does Smart Gravel leech or break down over time?

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 film 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.

How is Smart Gravel used?

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.

What are the main benefits of Arqlite Smart Gravel?

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.

Is Arqlite Smart Gravel safe for gardening and drainage?

At Arqlite, safety is our number one priority. Smart Gravel is completely safe for soil, water, and plants because it is an “inert” plastic. And, by providing necessary drainage, it actually improves the health of your garden! Check out our videos here to see gardeners and landscapers using our Smart Gravel.

Does Arqlite really use only discarded material?

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.

Is Smart Gravel always the same size and shape?

Not all of our Gravel looks the same; your bag might come with some pieces that have a bit more character than others. Don’t worry; the mix of sizes and shapes is great for drainage purposes. We like to say there is no ugly in recycling!

Do you have different colors of Smart Gravel?

The color of the Smart Gravel depends on the colors and types of plastic that we receive. This means, each bag will have a slightly different color. In general, a batch will typically fall into two color categories, light or dark. The lighter batch is beige colored, while the darker batch is blue/green. Slight color variation within the bag is typical. Just think about all the different plastic wrappers that were diverted from the environment to go into each pebble!

How much Arqlite Smart Gravel do you use for concrete mixes?

Arqlite Smart Gravel is used in the traditional 1-3-3 ratio mix, replacing mineral stone for light weight and elastic concrete. We always recommend sampling and testing out our product for desired results.

How do I resell Arqlite Smart Gravel?

If you own a nursery, hydroponics store, or landscape supply store and would like to become a reseller, please contact paytonrockwood@arqlite.com and he will help you through the process.

Do I mix Smart Gravel into my soil?

No, it is not intended to be tilled into your dirt. Smart Gravel is best used in contained environments like at the bottom of a pot or raised garden bed, in a drainage ditch, in hydroponics, or in concrete construction. This way, it can be recovered, reused, and recycled many times during its lifetime.

What types of plastics do you recycle?

Our technology is capable of processing the vast majority of plastics, including the most traditional 1 to 6 and many others including 7s (a polite category for no idea what’s in here).

The magic resides in the ability to process different polymers together into a new mix that can then be shaped in different ways. That’s why our Smart Gravel is just the very first product on our list, with more to come in the future. Arqlite was originally designed as a solution for multilayered plastics found in most of the flexible plastic packaging out there. Having more than one layer of different plastics makes these materials unrecyclable under standard technologies. Instead of focusing on separating back the plastics, we decided to find a way to process them together. Nowadays we process flexible multilayered materials and also mixed plastics that come as refuse from other recyclers.