Oxo Degradable Plastics

Oxo degradable plastics will not break down at all or will break down extremely slowly in environments with relatively low concentrations of oxygen such as in marine environments if covered by soil or buried in a compost bin.

Oxo degradable plastics.

Oxo degradable material is often found in products such as plastic bags. The normal manufacturing of plastics emits about 4 tons of greenhouse emissions. However according to a report from the european commission there is no evidence that oxo degradable plastic will subsequently fully biodegrade in a reasonable time in the open environment on landfills or in the. Because oxo degradable plastics are only degradable not biodegradable or certified compostable after the bio additives have broken down traditional plastics remain.

Oxo degradable plastics are a type of degradable plastic designed to fragment in the presence of oxygen. The directive foresees a ban on all products made of oxo degradable plastic from july 2021. The coalition claims it contains additives meant to accelerate the fragmentation of plastics into microplastics. The oxo biodegradable plastics federation obpf is an industry wide global collaboration group to promote the appropriate use of oxo biodegradable products through participation in the development of standards regulations material guides and positive community interaction.

Oxo degradable plastics quickly fragment into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics but don t break down at the molecular or polymer level like biodegradable and compostable plastics. Oxo degradable plastic including plastic carrier bags may degrade quicker in the open environment than conventional plastic. In july 2015 france prohibited the production distribution sale provision and utilization of packaging or bags made partially or completely of oxo degradable plastics. The resulting microplastics are left in the environment indefinitely until they eventually fully break down.

Accordingly epi recommends all manufacturers and companies selling or planning to sell products with tdpa in the eu to abide with the eu s. The oxo degradable sector holds a different view. The european commission has recommended eu wide measures be taken against so called oxo degradable plastics. European bioplastics eubp the association of the bioplastics industry in europe strongly welcomes this clear commitment to take action.

Spain is the second country in europe to take concrete actions to limit the harmful impacts of oxo degradable plastics. Even if the small pieces are microscopic the plastic still exists and can easily enter the environment. In a report published earlier this month the commission said that a process to restrict the use of oxo plastics in the eu will be started. Epi is the world leader and pioneer of oxo biodegradable plastic technology.