20 ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTION / THIRD QUARTER 2025 / IECA.ORG CALL FOR INNOVATION PEER REVIEW >> That challenge was complex, according to President Mike Lorenzo at the author’s company. “There’s a fine line between a truly engineered solution and a commoditized product,” Lorenzo explained. “We needed something durable enough to survive a construction cycle, cost-effective enough for our clients and sustainable enough to avoid contributing to the microplastics problem. That’s not an easy equation to solve.” After extensive development and testing, the company introduced BioWorm, a newgeneration filter sock using netting made from certified fibers and textiles that are proprietary. These materials were designed to safely decompose, without releasing harmful particles into the environment. Third-party testing simulated diverse conditions, including landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater systems and natural soils, to confirm its performance and environmental safety. BioWorm achieved a 95.7% sediment retention rate during ASTM D5141 bench-scale testing, as verified by TRI Environmental, a third-party laboratory. Large-scale ASTM D7351 testing revealed 85% soil retention and 91.9% seepage effectiveness. Operationally, BioWorm offers additional advantages. Because of its ability to break down (Figure 2) while drastically reducing microplastic introduction, it can often be left in place after a project concludes, which reduces the need for costly removal and disposal. “That alone can be a game-changer for constructors,” Lorenzo said. “Removal is a huge expense, and if we can eliminate that step while improving performance and protecting the environment, everybody wins.” Michele Meyer, senior stormwater specialist with Resolution Group, recently applied BioWorm to a test site on the Interstate Highway 69 expansion outside of Indianapolis (Figure 3). Meyer has used BioWorm for slope stabilization, streambank stabilization and perimeter protection on large, fast-moving jobs and federal infrastructure projects. She reported instant and long-term options for trouble areas. “Saves time and money, and there is no need to replace or remove,” Meyer said. Data from the stormwater pollution prevention plan installation and services company indicates that removal costs can often be up to 30% of the installation costs of perimeter controls. This percentage means that if a contractor spent 10% more on the sustainable product, they would save approximately 20% on overall project line-item costs. But innovation doesn’t stop with product development. The company is working with regulators and engineers to shift the way projects are specified. Instead of writing generic specs that lead to the lowest-cost product winning by default, they’re advocating for engineered solutions to be written into project documents — solutions that factor in long-term environmental impact, not just upfront cost. “This is where real change happens,” said Lorenzo. “If we want better outcomes, we have to start upstream, with better design and specification. Our industry is capable of incredible innovation. We just need the right framework to support it.” BioWorm has demonstrated what’s possible when manufacturers, engineers and regulators collaborate to meet the challenges of our time. It’s a product born from necessity, refined through science and guided by a vision of a more sustainable future. Sustainability and affordability do not have to be mutually exclusive. In the ongoing journey to build a cleaner, more responsible world, BioWorm is helping to lead the way sustainably and cost-effectively. References 1. Environmental Protection Agency. Learn About Sustainability. epa.gov/sustainability/learn-aboutsustainability. 2. Starking M. 2021. Wildlife-Friendly Erosion Control. Fish and Wildlife Service. bit.ly/3GXnRP1. About the Expert • Joe Moore, CPESC, MS4CECI, INDOT CSC, is the founder and chief brand ambassador of Erosion & Construction Solutions. Moore has over 20 years of experience with erosion and sediment control. Figure 3. A tiered or stacked installation on a construction site on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, USA.
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