Degradable PET additives: NAPCOR urges restraint
PET trade organization says data doesn’t substantiate sustainability claims
-- Packaging Digest, 5/28/2009 4:38:00 PM
The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) today urged restraint in the use of degradable additives in PET packaging. NAPCOR, the trade organization for the PET packaging industry, is concerned that no data has been made publicly available to substantiate or document: 1) the claims of degradability of PET resin products containing degradable additives; 2) the effect of degradable additives on the quality of the PET recycling stream; 3) the impacts of degradable additives on the products made from recycled PET; and 4) the true impact on the service life of these products.
“We urge manufacturers of PET resin and packaging to refrain from introductions of degradable additive-containing products until data is made available for review and verification so we can better understand these products and their potential ramifications,” said Tom Busard, NAPCOR’s Chairman.
In 2007, 1.4 billion pounds of PET post consumer containers were recycled in the United States. The post consumer recycled PET infrastructure depends on the quality of the recyclate and its suitability for a variety of next-life product applications. The value of recycled materials, such as PET, is an important economic driver for curbside recycling programs throughout the country.
“Without the testing and data necessary to understand the potential impacts of degradable additives in PET, it’s not an overstatement to say that they could potentially put the whole PET recycling system at risk,” said NAPCOR Executive Director Dennis Sabourin. “We don’t yet understand the impacts that these additives could have on the quality of the PET recycling stream, let alone the impacts on the safety and functionality over time of next-use PET products like recycled-content PET packaging, carpeting, or strapping.”
Aside from the potential impacts on recycling, NAPCOR questions the value of the concept itself. Whether or not it’s proven that packaging will safely degrade in landfills, or as roadside or marine litter, the value of the inherent energy used in the manufacture of plastic packaging is lost, not recaptured as it is through a recycling and re-manufacturing process.
“Even if a package were to disappear or fragment – and we’ve not yet seen this evidence – it would not make the package sustainable, nor does it provide any positive impacts in terms of greenhouse gas emissions or resource conservation,” said Mr. Sabourin. “Degrading plastic provides no useful nutrients to the soil, and the impacts to soil and sea of reducing the plastic to molecules using degradable additives is unknown.”
NAPCOR calls for restraint: proper testing and verification must be conducted before degradable additives are introduced into the consumer product stream. Moreover, NAPCOR calls on brand owners and decision makers to fully consider the impacts behind the use of degradable additives in light of the larger issues of sustainability, climate change and resource conservation.
Source: NAPCOR
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To reinforce Mr. Clark's comments-It is oxo-biodegradable additives that pose a potential UV degradation problem in recycled PET products, not micro-biodegradable additives which his company and my company (BioGreen Products Co. / Earth Nurture) use.
Tim Dunn - 2009-30-6 19:45:00 EDT -
The question shouldn’t be “How big is the market share for biodegradable plastics?” The question should be “What can we do about our growing plastic pollution problem?”
Plastic pollution is causing a tidal wave of public opposition against all plastics and plastic bottles are just the beginning. In 2007 nearly 4.3 billion pounds of PET containers were not recycled. These bottles end up in landfills or as litter contributing to the tremendous amount of plastic pollution in our oceans. ENSO Bottles, and Bio-Tec Environmental, are both environmental companies dedicated to responsibly addressing the growing plastic pollution problem through the development of biodegradable plastics. Wouldn’t it be better for the environment and ultimately the plastics industry for groups to work together to develop sustainable plastics?
ENSO Bottles with EcoPure are biodegradable plastic bottles that use organic compounds to promote biodegradation though microbial digestion. That digestion (biodegradation) only occurs when the ENSO bottle is placed in a highly active microbial environment.
ENSO bottles have the same physical properties as standard PET and do NOT fragment, degrade or break down from environmental conditions such as UV, moisture and oxygen. When ENSO bottles are recycled they have the same useful life as other durable plastics.
We understand that change frightens some and new misunderstood technology may cause well meaning people to reject something that is good for us all. ENSO supports recycling programs and works closely with recycling organizations and other environmental organizations to improve recycling rates and reduce plastic pollution.
ENSO bottles with EcoPure™ have been tested and validated for the following:
(1) Recyclability through a third-party lab for ASTM D 1003 (Haze and Transmission).
(2) ASTM D 4603 (Intrinsic Viscosity)
(3) ASTM F 2013 (Acetaldehyde), Fluorescence Visual, and Visual Black Specks and Gels.
(4) ASTM D 5511 Standard Test Methods, a standard for biodegradation testing in anaerobic environments. Results clearly indicate ENSO bottles with EcoPure™ biodegrade through natural microbial digestion.
All test results meet industry specifications.
Plastics are changing…public concern for plastic pollution is turning our citizens against an important resource…plastic. ENSO is working hard to reduce the problem and restore public confidence. We stand ready to work with recycling and environmental organizations to achieve our goal of sustainable plastic products.
Max Clark - 2009-6-6 14:08:00 EDT -
How big is the market share for degradable PET now? is it now out of control or side-effects could be prevented?
By the way, does it yet have any impact on packaged good? especially in beverage and toy sectors
Sepehr - 2009-30-5 09:34:00 EDT
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