Oxo-degradable – suggests degradation in the presence of oxygen. Polyolefins (PP, PE …) will fragment in the presence of oxygen and sunlight (UV) when the stabilizers added to the material to prevent such abiotic degradation have lost their efficacy. Some additives such as heavy metals and other materials, will accelerate this fragmentation. However, such fragmentation has repeatedly been shown to be purely due to breakage of the polymer chains. There has been no reputable evidence that microorganisms are involved in any of this (biotic) degradation either in a aerobic compost or a anaerobic managed landfill environment.
The European Plastics Recyclers Association (EuPR) is urging manufacturers to exercise caution if using oxo-degradable additives, warning they have the potential to do more harm to the environment than good.
EuPR says it has seen no proof that oxo-degradable additives help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, public misconception about the recyclability of these materials means that oxo-degradable additives will end up in general waste.
“The public attention will be diverted from recycling by thinking ‘it will degrade by itself’,” says the trade body. “This thinking will damage the recycling rates achieved after decades of efforts from industry, authorities and the population.”
EuPR compares plastics to an ‘energy bank’ and points out that energy invested in the plastic during polymerisation can be reused through recycling. However, the presence of oxo-degradable additives in the plastic puts this at risk, claims the group.
“It is an economic and environmental nonsense to destroy this value,” says the group. “Moreover, it is the most unsustainable – together with landfill – way to use the valuable oil transformed in plastic.”
Plastics manufacturers should therefore “be watchful” when considering the use of oxo degradable additives, says EuPR.
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