Glue is a typical staple in lecture rooms and homes, nonetheless what exactly is it manufactured from? Some rumors counsel the sticky substance may be very similar to gelatin and use animal-derived components. The truth is just a few sorts of glue do in actuality use components (like collagen) taken from animal elements, nonetheless your frequently Elmer’s glue doesn’t. It’s purely chemical-based.
One reader, an elementary school teacher, wrote in after listening to a concerned toddler counsel glue is constituted of lifeless horses. The question: Are there any animal components in Elmer’s and totally different glues? This reply makes an try to help a teacher with a sticky state of affairs involving glitter and a roomful of 8-year-olds.
Does Glue Use Animal Substances?
Question: I’m a newbie elementary school teacher with a comparatively odd question. Last week, I attempted to steer my class in a Valentine’s Day crafting free-for-all. Constructing paper, glitter, and the entire fixings have been distributed. The final word objects handed spherical have been little, innocuous bottles of Elmer’s Glue.
Mari, one amongst my further precocious school college students, took one take a look at her bottle and turned as white as its contents. She then shrieked like a banshee, “This stuff is constituted of lifeless horses!” and commenced weeping. Lifeless silence adopted. Then obtained right here a chorus of cries, snickers, boisterous naying, and the kind of pandemonium solely a room filled with 8-year-olds can generate. I reassured the kids that this was not true the least bit nonetheless it was too late. Mari’s declaration had sparked a mini glue revolt and I scrapped the enterprise for the day.
The issue is, I’m successfully aware of the adage about “sending retired horses to the glue manufacturing unit,” nonetheless I on a regular basis considered it a silly saying. I do know that gelatin has animal components in it so I’m curious as to if there’s any reality behind this. Are there horse—or each different animal—components in Elmer’s and totally different glues?
Attempting to be a buddy to Mr. Ed,
—Wendy, Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura
Which Glues Comprise Animal Substances and Which Don’t?
Reply: Hey Wendy,
Yikes. Youngsters in the present day, eh? Little Mari although on to at least one factor, is barely misinformed (AND appears like she has a knack for inflicting a ruckus… sorry couldn’t resist). Merely guarantee to not serve her any Jell-O shortly, or your subsequent class speaker may be a guide from PETA.
Glue, historically, is definitely constituted of collagen taken from animal elements, considerably horse hooves and bones. In actuality, the phrase “collagen” comes from the Greek kolla, which implies glue. This observe has been occurring for 1000’s and 1000’s of years; it’s not the invention of some enterprising farmer named Elmer who had various about-to-be-put-down horses on his arms, a knack for pure chemistry, and a vat of boiling water. So, certain, as unpleasant to contemplate because it’s, glue can comprise animal-based components (as of late it’s largely cattle hooves). Adhesive aficionados seem to gravitate in direction of fish and conceal glues. Nonetheless truly, I’d be hard-pressed to say there are many horse-slaughtering glue operations nonetheless available on the market since synthetics are so much cheaper and easier.
Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura
So what about that bottle of Elmer’s that despatched Mari proper right into a tizzy? In step with the company, no horse or each different animal is (in the mean time) harmed throughout the making of their product. Elmer’s Glues, like many industrial “white” glues in the present day, are 100% chemical-based, which, counting on the best way you take a look at it, is worse than reusing the physique elements of lifeless ungulates.
In step with Elmer’s, its glues use solely chemical substances that are synthesized or created by man. Though the company doesn’t share its precise technique or explicit components, it notes that the chemical substances have been initially obtained or manufactured from petroleum, pure gasoline, and totally different raw provides current in nature.
I’m not pretty sure let you already know to proceed with this, Wendy. An informative class self-discipline journey to a neighborhood rendering plant is out of the question and I wouldn’t sit down Mari down for a chat regarding the environmental ills of petrochemicals. I also can’t take into consideration a childhood with out good, old style Elmer’s.
Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura
Sadly, there aren’t a ton of non-synthetic, vegan glues within the market, at least ones that are classroom-friendly. There are unhazardous, made-in-Italy Coccoina Adhesive Glue Sticks, nonetheless they’re typically pricey and exhausting to return by. Plus, they scent like marzipan so any school college students already inclined to stay consuming could also be tempted to snack on the craft offers.
I’d say merely give it a second try. Youngsters are fickle, and till Mari truly loves horses, she may need already utterly forgotten about it.