Biodegradable plastics or not?

The debate around packaging waste has been going on for years and numerous solutions have been sought to solve the problem. The latest development is the manufacturing of biodegradable plastics, however the plastics industry is raising their concern as this leads to “contaminated” plastic which then can’t be recycled.

We keen to hear from the industry players with regards to their products and what they are doing with regards to recycling or composting of packaging waste. We keen to hear about what these products are made from and where they are manufactured, which impacts on the eco footprint of the products. What options do we have? What should we consider when making our choices? Where can we find more details?

Ultimately we need to REDUCE or REUSE before we need to consider RECYCLING or disposal of waste.

4 Responses to “Biodegradable plastics or not?”

Grace says:

May 23, 2010 at 9:34 am

RECEIVED FROM MUNA LAKHANI:

Firstly, thank you for taking this up – however, I think the entire argument is moot – plastics come from a NON-RENEWABLE resource, and uses up about 4% of all fossil fuel, and if I remember correctly (it is late!) about 4% of global energy in it’s life chain (it can never be a life cycle, as it can only be downcycled…)

So, as I was saying to people from all over sub-Saharan Africa earlier today, and in response to the spam stunt to “buy local petrol”, unless we think that the war in Iraq, the struggles of people affected by oil pipelines such as the Ogoni people in Nigeria, the oil-covered penguins off Cape Town, the double the national average of upper respiratory problems of children in South Durban, SASOL workers being “exploded” on a regular basis, and all the highly toxic chemicals used in their manufacture (pthalates, bisphenols, etc etc etc) are all acceptable to us, we can stand up against plastics as you do – for which my thanks and blessings – there is NO SUCH THING AS A “SAFE” plastic – see the piece written by a dear friend and colleague (attached) – and there is MUCH more on http://www.mindfully.org

So while the blog etc may be a useful learning experience, the argument by the industry is invalid. It would also be true, to be honest, that ANYTHING disposable is generally an unsustainable solution, biodegradable or not…

kind regards
Muna
PS my mother’s stainless steel bowls etc are still being used in my home – they were part of her wedding gifts, about 60 years ago – and they all have a few more generations of use – how many trips can plastic make? ONE!
Grace says:

May 24, 2010 at 12:36 pm

RECEIVED FROM CATHERINE MORRIS, GREEN HOME

I think Muna has summed it up pretty well. With the most recent oil spill in mind, is the message not clear enough?

The Pro Polystyrene Campaign by the Polystyrene Council is an obvious move. Of course with increased general awareness of the detrimental environmental effects of plastic they feel the need to assure the public that using disposable polystyrene and other disposable plastics is wonderful. In fact they will even donate a wheelchair the more polystyrene you use.

I find however, the alert on biodegradable plastics unnecessary and incredibly misinformed.

1) Biodegradable packaging falls into the same category as the rest of your green waste (all other biodegradable matter from your kitchen). If you are sending this to landfill, then this too may exude methane gases.
2) The article states that “…. As the materials in the compost heap will exude methane gases that have a negative impact on the environment…” Is this article advising us against compost heaps? Has the Polystyrene Council ever had a compost heap? If compost heaps are aerated they do not exude methane gas.
3) They have confused the terms and concepts of “biodegradable products”, “biodegradable plastics”, and “degradable plastics”. It is incorrect to say that “biodegradable products” are difficult to sort. Instead what should be said is “biodegradable plastics” should be clearly marked.
4) My favourite is “The best option is still recycling and polystyrene is a viable and sustainable product to recycle.” …!!!! How does this stuff get passed for print?

I agree with Grace and Muna: “Ultimately we need to AVOID, REDUCE or REUSE before we need to consider RECYCLING or disposal of waste.” I will add that if it is disposable, ensure it is made from a natural and renewable resource.

Kind regards
Catherine
Adri says:

June 17, 2010 at 1:27 pm

Everything we use and do daily leaves a footprint. Therefore the Polystyrene Packaging Council an industry driven initiative is taking responsibility of their waste stream by educating and creating awareness for recycling. As we do not have post consumer waste seperation in South Afica we spend our budget on infra structure making the recycling of Polystyrene including other plastics possible.

Polystyrene has a very low carbon footprint due to it’s lightness, it is a challenge to recycle and therefor a machine is built in SA which reduces the Polystyrene by 200 times making it transportable and sustainalbe to recycle.

Polystyrene is recycled in SA and many companies manufacture picture frames, cornices, skirting, curtain rods, stationary, decking, hangers, seedling trays etc. from recycled Polystyrene.Polystyrene is a very vialbe product to recycle as our manual labour in the industry can also easily identify it. Visit our website for all the facts http://www.polystyrenepackaging.co.za

All the best,

Adri
Collins Pt. says:

August 24, 2010 at 1:06 am

Biodegradable plastic and packaging is a modern necessity for our ever-endangered environment.
Now PLA has been used to line the indoors of Paper Cups in place of the oil based lining additional usually used, create Plastic Cups, Plates, Carrier Bags, Food Packaging and even Nappies.
Eco Pure is our proprietary blend of organic materials that does not modify the base resin to which it is added.

Thanks a lot for your information

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Biodegradable plastics or not?

4 Responses to “Biodegradable plastics or not?”

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