Recycling

EPI’s TDPA™ technology supports sound environmental practices such as reduce, reuse and recycle, but also encourages responsible consumption through the use of plastic materials that do not persist or accumulate in the environment. The post-consumer collection and recycling of used plastics is a good way to conserve resources and to minimize the impact of plastics on the environment. Unlike hydro-biodegradable plastics (those that are claimed to be made entirely or in part from renewable sources) oxo-biodegradable plastics, and in particular those incorporating EPI’s TDPA™ are compatible with the conventional recycle stream.

Recently, a research study was commissioned by RECYC-QUEBEC (Canada) to evaluate the recyclability of several types of carrier bags available in the province of Quebec. The study was done by an independent research institute (Centre de recherché industrielle du Quebec – CRIQ) that prepared blends of four different types of degradable bags with conventional HDPE bags at degradable bag concentrations ranging from 5 to 50%. The blends were then converted into thin films and into ¼” thick discs. The physical properties of each of these samples were then measured and compared with the HDPE control. Finally, each of the samples was subjected to accelerated aging under conditions of elevated temperatures and humidity with concurrent exposure to UV light, as specified in standard ASTM test methods. The physical properties were measured versus exposure time and compared with the equivalently aged HDPE control.

One of the four types of bags tested in this way was one used by the Quebec Liquor Board (SAQ) that was made by Omniplast Inc. using EPI’s TDPA™ additive. Only the SAQ bag was found to perform at least as well as the HDPE control in all respects and therefore was deemed to be fully compatible with the conventional polyethylene recycle stream. The other 3 types of bag failed to perform satisfactorily.