Vancouver, Canada (July 15, 2011) – In spite of the voluminous data that have been produced and published during the past decade on the performance of oxo-biodegradable technology, advocates of the Bioplastics industry continue to attack oxo-biodegradable plastics (OBP) in a concerted effort to eliminate OBP competition. The Bioplastics lobbyists use myths and half-truths to attack OBP in order to influence key decision-makers to choose in favour of Bioplastics.

1) Oxobiodegradable additives contain heavy metals and are toxic to the environment

 

EPI categorically states that there are no heavy metals or any kind of environmentally toxic ingredient in its additives. Furthermore, there is absolutely no evidence of any toxicity related to the degradation products of OBPs whatsoever. Statements relating to toxicity of OBPs are absolutely baseless and deliberately intended to create doubt about OBPs. OBPs have been used in agricultural mulch film for many years, with no incidence of bio-toxicity or reduced soil fertility and are also in compliance for food contact applications. OBPs also undergo rigorous eco-toxicity testing to validate environmental safety.

 

2) OBPs fragment but do not biodegrade

 

The degradation products of OBPs undergo a complete transformation into a form that has been incontrovertibly proven to be assimilated by naturally occurring micro-organisms. The science is welldocumented in many robust studies that have been published in respected, peer-reviewed journals. Biodegradation is also demonstrated for OBPs using ASTM D6954 test methodology and a British Standard (BS8472) has recently been approved for OBPs. The ASTM standard requires that at least 60% biodegradation shall be achieved, which is the same as the specification in the ASTM D6400 composting standard. To continue to suggest that the OBP degradation products are not biodegradable deliberately ignores the body of evidence to the contrary and can only be seen as an orchestrated attempt to deliberately discredit OBP technology.

 

3) OBPs cannot be considered biodegradable if they do not meet composting standards

 

Bioplastics proponents continue to promote the composting standards (ASTM D6400 and EN13432) as the measuring sticks for all biodegradable plastics performance, with the intention to equate biodegradability with compostability. Unfortunately, these standards and their biodegradation time frame requirements are only applicable to industrial composting facilities. Where industrial composting is not practiced, these standards are completely irrelevant and there is no justification for the use of expensive bioplastic resins. Nonetheless, Bioplastics advocates continue their efforts to convince regulators into believing that passing composting standards is required in order for a plastic to be considered biodegradable, even though other standards exist for assessing OBP performance.

 

Unfortunately, Bioplastics proponents have managed to influence legislators and regulators by spreading misinformation about OBP. It is high time that all the facts be considered before making any decisions regarding which biodegradable plastic technology is the best choice.

 

The above Bioplastics misinformation has been comprehensively refuted ( see document ) by Dr. David Wiles, a scientist with over 40 years experience in polymer stabilization and degradation related to plastics in the environment. Dr. Wiles is also internationally recognized as an expert in the photochemistry, oxidative degradation and microbiology of macromolecular materials.

 

About EPI Environmental Products Inc.:

Established in 1991 in Canada, EPI Environmental Products Inc. (EPI) with its UK subsidiary EPI (Europe) Ltd. has become a world leader in the fight against plastic waste. EPI licenses proprietary technology that causes plastic to degrade. Plastic bags, plastic film, plastic packaging and other single-use plastics can remain in the environment for decades. When these products are manufactured using EPI’s additives, they will degrade and subsequently biodegrade when discarded in soil, in the presence of microorganisms, moisture, and oxygen.

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