DEGRADABLE PLASTIC

2003 PLASTIC BAG REGULATIONS

2003 PLASTIC BAG REGULATIONS

REDUCE RE-USE RECYCLE THREE INTERVENTIONS

CHARGING & LEVY THICKNESS - 24 MICRON TYPE OF INK INTERVENTIONS WORKED RETAILERS CONTRIBUTING TO FISCAL (3 CENTS PER BAG )

BUYISA-e-BAG COMPANY UNIQUE TO SOUTH AFRICA COLLECTION OF ALL RECYCLABLE MATERIALS NEED

ATTENTION

REDUCE RE-USE RECYCLE THREE INTERVENTIONS

CHARGING & LEVY THICKNESS - 24 MICRON TYPE OF INK INTERVENTIONS WORKED RETAILERS CONTRIBUTING TO FISCAL (3 CENTS PER BAG )

BUYISA-e-BAG COMPANY UNIQUE TO SOUTH AFRICA COLLECTION OF ALL RECYCLABLE MATERIALS NEED

ATTENTION

DEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTICDEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTIC

DISINTEGRATIONThe falling apart into very small fragments of packaging or packaging material caused by degradation mechanisms.

DISINTEGRATIONThe falling apart into very small fragments of packaging or packaging material caused by degradation mechanisms.

DEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTICDEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTIC

DEGRADATIONAn irreversible process leading to a significant change of the structure of a material, typically characterised by a loss of properties (eg. Integrity, molecular weight, structure or mechanical strength) and/or fragmentation. Degradation is affected by environmental conditions and proceeds over a period of time comprising one or more steps.

DEGRADATIONAn irreversible process leading to a significant change of the structure of a material, typically characterised by a loss of properties (eg. Integrity, molecular weight, structure or mechanical strength) and/or fragmentation. Degradation is affected by environmental conditions and proceeds over a period of time comprising one or more steps.

DEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTICDEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTIC

DEGRADABLEA material is called degradable with respect to specific environmental conditions if it undergoes a degradation to a specific extent within a given time measured by specific standard test methods.

DEGRADABLEA material is called degradable with respect to specific environmental conditions if it undergoes a degradation to a specific extent within a given time measured by specific standard test methods.

DEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTICDEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTIC

BIODEGRADABLEA degradable plastic in which the degradation results from the action of naturally occurring micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae. For this to occur oxygen and water is required and the plastic must be derived from Biopolymer rather than Petropolymers. (eg. Starch from Corn, Potatoes or Wheat).

BIODEGRADABLEA degradable plastic in which the degradation results from the action of naturally occurring micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae. For this to occur oxygen and water is required and the plastic must be derived from Biopolymer rather than Petropolymers. (eg. Starch from Corn, Potatoes or Wheat).

DEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTICDEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTIC

PHOTODEGRADABLEThe disintegration of plastic due to exposure to ultra violet light. This will occur naturally over time without the need for additives. However the process could be excellerrated with additives.

PHOTODEGRADABLEThe disintegration of plastic due to exposure to ultra violet light. This will occur naturally over time without the need for additives. However the process could be excellerrated with additives.

DEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTICDEFINITIONS FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTIC COMPOSTABLE A plastic that undergoes degradation by biological

processes during composting to yield CO2, water inorganic compounds and biomass at a rate consistent with other compostable materials and leaves no visible, distinguishable or toxic residue. This will occur if the plastic product is handled as compost and will not occur in solid waste dumps due to the lack of oxygen and sunlight. For biodegradable plastics to effectively decompose they need to be treated like compost.

There are many specific application for compostable material: mulch film and composting bags.

Petro-polymers and Biopolymers should not be used in the same applications.

There is a view that materials used as a food source (maize) should not be redirected into Petro-polymer applications.

COMPOSTABLE A plastic that undergoes degradation by biological

processes during composting to yield CO2, water inorganic compounds and biomass at a rate consistent with other compostable materials and leaves no visible, distinguishable or toxic residue. This will occur if the plastic product is handled as compost and will not occur in solid waste dumps due to the lack of oxygen and sunlight. For biodegradable plastics to effectively decompose they need to be treated like compost.

There are many specific application for compostable material: mulch film and composting bags.

Petro-polymers and Biopolymers should not be used in the same applications.

There is a view that materials used as a food source (maize) should not be redirected into Petro-polymer applications.

RECYCLINGRECYCLING SUPPORTED BY MOST PLASTIC FEDERATIONS(see UK

report) RE-USE OF RESOURCES Disintegration destroys a

reusable resource CREATES EMPLOYMENT Collectors and buy back

centers MANY APPLICATIONS for recycled material REFUSE BAGS, WATER PIPE, CONSTRUCTION

FILM AND NON CRITICAL PACKAGING PRODUCTS POST CONSUMER RECYCLERS WILL NOT PURCHASE

MATERIAL CONTAINING BIOPOLYMERS OR DEGRADING ADDITIVES

SUPPORTED BY MOST PLASTIC FEDERATIONS(see UK report)

RE-USE OF RESOURCES Disintegration destroys a reusable resource

CREATES EMPLOYMENT Collectors and buy back centers

MANY APPLICATIONS for recycled material REFUSE BAGS, WATER PIPE, CONSTRUCTION

FILM AND NON CRITICAL PACKAGING PRODUCTS POST CONSUMER RECYCLERS WILL NOT PURCHASE

MATERIAL CONTAINING BIOPOLYMERS OR DEGRADING ADDITIVES

Warning issued over biodegradable plasticsWarning issued over biodegradable plastics

Warning issued over biodegradable plastics 11/10/2007 By John Whitehead      Film streams a concern, says chair of BPF’s Recycling Council.   11 October 2007 – The presence of biodegradable packaging in the recycling stream represents, “a short route

to disaster,” the chairman of the BPF Recycling Council warned last week. “Even small quantities of PLA in oil-based plastic bottle recyclate can create quality and specification problems,” Mark Burstall told the BPF’s Biopolymers and Biodegradable Plastics – An Analysis of their Future Role seminar.

Film streams are another concern, he pointed out, since much of the recyclate from this sector is used in damp proof applications. “Film is much more difficult to sort with potentially disastrous consequences for quality and reliability,” he told the event.

Confirming long held suspicions about the compatibility of the two streams, Burstall highlighted the dangers that biodegradable pose to conventional recyclers whether full degradation take place or not.

“We all think biodegradable polymers have an important role to play but find specific applications. Don’t mix biodegradable and conventional plastics in the same application,” he went on.

Possible biodegradable applications include collection bags for composting and horticultural and agricultural film, in each case made in a special colour. In theory, noted experienced recycler Burstall, biodegradable plastic bottles can be put in the green bin for composting. “In practice,” he said, “compost site operators cannot tell the difference and so they reject all plastic bottles.”

However, Burstall is at pains to emphasise that concerns relate to biodegradable plastics and that biopolymers without this property do not raise an issue.

Quoting 2006 figures from Wrap, Burstall put UK biopolymer consumption at just 3,000 tonnes out of a plastics packaging total of 2.5m tonnes. Despite a 525,000 tonnes recycling figure, the quantity going to landfill still amounts to almost 2m tonnes a year, he acknowledged.  

Warning issued over biodegradable plastics 11/10/2007 By John Whitehead      Film streams a concern, says chair of BPF’s Recycling Council.   11 October 2007 – The presence of biodegradable packaging in the recycling stream represents, “a short route

to disaster,” the chairman of the BPF Recycling Council warned last week. “Even small quantities of PLA in oil-based plastic bottle recyclate can create quality and specification problems,” Mark Burstall told the BPF’s Biopolymers and Biodegradable Plastics – An Analysis of their Future Role seminar.

Film streams are another concern, he pointed out, since much of the recyclate from this sector is used in damp proof applications. “Film is much more difficult to sort with potentially disastrous consequences for quality and reliability,” he told the event.

Confirming long held suspicions about the compatibility of the two streams, Burstall highlighted the dangers that biodegradable pose to conventional recyclers whether full degradation take place or not.

“We all think biodegradable polymers have an important role to play but find specific applications. Don’t mix biodegradable and conventional plastics in the same application,” he went on.

Possible biodegradable applications include collection bags for composting and horticultural and agricultural film, in each case made in a special colour. In theory, noted experienced recycler Burstall, biodegradable plastic bottles can be put in the green bin for composting. “In practice,” he said, “compost site operators cannot tell the difference and so they reject all plastic bottles.”

However, Burstall is at pains to emphasise that concerns relate to biodegradable plastics and that biopolymers without this property do not raise an issue.

Quoting 2006 figures from Wrap, Burstall put UK biopolymer consumption at just 3,000 tonnes out of a plastics packaging total of 2.5m tonnes. Despite a 525,000 tonnes recycling figure, the quantity going to landfill still amounts to almost 2m tonnes a year, he acknowledged.  

WASTE PYRAMIDWASTE PYRAMID

POST CONSUMER WASTEPOST CONSUMER WASTE

QUOTE – Great Reads

Investigation

QUOTE – Great Reads

InvestigationAmerican Bill Rathjee, former archaeologist and now garbologist, says the dumps of the Roman Empire are still leaching today. Rathjee has been rewriting landfill science since he discovered that lack of oxygen and sunlight slowed decomposition. Landfills are therefore not vast composters but vast mummifiers – making our newspapers and baked-bean tins the trash time capsules of the future.

American Bill Rathjee, former archaeologist and now garbologist, says the dumps of the Roman Empire are still leaching today. Rathjee has been rewriting landfill science since he discovered that lack of oxygen and sunlight slowed decomposition. Landfills are therefore not vast composters but vast mummifiers – making our newspapers and baked-bean tins the trash time capsules of the future.

QUESTIONQUESTION

Support recycling which is very much clear cut OR degredation with the

mine field of claims made my additive suppliers.

Support anti-litter campaigns

Support recycling which is very much clear cut OR degredation with the

mine field of claims made my additive suppliers.

Support anti-litter campaigns

TRANSPACO RECYCLINGTRANSPACO RECYCLING

TRANSPACO RECYCLINGISO 9001:2000

TRANSPACO RECYCLINGISO 9001:2000

TRANSPACO AS YOUR SUPPLIER

TRANSPACO AS YOUR SUPPLIER

Largest post consumer polyethylene recycler in South Africa.

The only retail plastic bag manufacturer which recycles post consumer waste.

Processes over 1 800 000 kilograms of post consumer polyethylene waste per month.

Largest post consumer polyethylene recycler in South Africa.

The only retail plastic bag manufacturer which recycles post consumer waste.

Processes over 1 800 000 kilograms of post consumer polyethylene waste per month.

PCA RECYCLING FACT SHEET

PCA RECYCLING FACT SHEETPLASTICS INDUSTRY VIEWS ON OXO-BIODEGRADABL E PLASTICS July 2008

BACKGROUND: The Plastics Industry acknowledges:

Plastics is a visible component of litter Oxo-biodegradable additives have a place for certain products that are not recycled

provided that they degrade at the right time and in the right end environment. That it is concerned about the consequences of oxo-biodegradable additives on the existing

and well-established R3 billion South African plastics recycling industry.

Objective of the Plastics Industry:

To protect the viability of the Plastics Recycling Sector which has a proud record of: Recycling some 175 000 tons per year, including bread bags, but with capacity to do

more, through some 160 companies providing employment to thousands Being world class in the percentage of polyethylene film being recycled. Building up a reputation for quality of products manufactured from recycled materials

FACTS:

The primary focus of global environmental efforts are to reduce, re-use and recycle - not destroy

Although oxo-biodegradable materials

may be designed to breakdown and decompose the facts are that this does not always happen, and especially in land-fill

The percentage of plastics in land-fill is

very low.

Plastics degrade under normal conditions under UV light within 6 -12 months. However, there are claims that indicate by adding oxo-biodegradable additives that this process is inhibited

A North American additive supplier

discourages recycling of oxo-biodegradable plastics

Indian Research advises t he Plastics

Industry that the recycling of oxo-biodegradable plastics is not advisable for use in durable products.

Oxo-biodegradable plastics will n ot solve

litter problems; changing the behaviour of people will.

Because of the high recycling rate in SA,

changes in the feed stock supply to recyclers in South Africa will have a more adverse impact on the sector than in some other countries.

Australian experience is that recyclers avoid feedstock where there is any contamination of oxo-biodegradable plastic polymers

Recycling of plastics, including thin film for

bread bags, etc , creates employment in the formal recycling sector and in informal plastic collection and “harvesting” sectors

South African research on the viability of

mixing oxo-biodegradable materials with other waste plastic under SA recycling conditions has not been done.

The Plastics Industry is to commission

research to establish whether the mixing of polymers containing oxo-biodegradable additive with other plastics will have a long term effect on durable products.

Oxo-biodegradable materials cannot be

easily identified and so rted out of the waste stream, so the Recycler has no way of assessing pot ential damage, or o f assessing just how much stabiliser to add to try to nullify the degrading additive

The oxo-biodegradable additive has a

specific task – to de stroy the polymer molecular structure and properties, so recycling becomes impossible after a certain time period

Recycling of oxo -biodegradable bread

bags and factory waste has now bee n stopped in South Africa.

Consider this view from Woolworths, a leading retailer in South Africa: They say “they were keen on biodegrada ble packaging but they refused to go the addi tive route realizing it was going to compromise the fragile recycling industry in S A and that there was no point in taking oil – a no n renewable material – and making it “disappear.”

PLASTICS INDUSTRY VIEWS ON OXO-BIODEGRADABL E PLASTICS July 2008 BACKGROUND: The Plastics Industry acknowledges:

Plastics is a visible component of litter Oxo-biodegradable additives have a place for certain products that are not recycled

provided that they degrade at the right time and in the right end environment. That it is concerned about the consequences of oxo-biodegradable additives on the existing

and well-established R3 billion South African plastics recycling industry.

Objective of the Plastics Industry:

To protect the viability of the Plastics Recycling Sector which has a proud record of: Recycling some 175 000 tons per year, including bread bags, but with capacity to do

more, through some 160 companies providing employment to thousands Being world class in the percentage of polyethylene film being recycled. Building up a reputation for quality of products manufactured from recycled materials

FACTS:

The primary focus of global environmental efforts are to reduce, re-use and recycle - not destroy

Although oxo-biodegradable materials

may be designed to breakdown and decompose the facts are that this does not always happen, and especially in land-fill

The percentage of plastics in land-fill is

very low.

Plastics degrade under normal conditions under UV light within 6 -12 months. However, there are claims that indicate by adding oxo-biodegradable additives that this process is inhibited

A North American additive supplier

discourages recycling of oxo-biodegradable plastics

Indian Research advises t he Plastics

Industry that the recycling of oxo-biodegradable plastics is not advisable for use in durable products.

Oxo-biodegradable plastics will n ot solve

litter problems; changing the behaviour of people will.

Because of the high recycling rate in SA,

changes in the feed stock supply to recyclers in South Africa will have a more adverse impact on the sector than in some other countries.

Australian experience is that recyclers avoid feedstock where there is any contamination of oxo-biodegradable plastic polymers

Recycling of plastics, including thin film for

bread bags, etc , creates employment in the formal recycling sector and in informal plastic collection and “harvesting” sectors

South African research on the viability of

mixing oxo-biodegradable materials with other waste plastic under SA recycling conditions has not been done.

The Plastics Industry is to commission

research to establish whether the mixing of polymers containing oxo-biodegradable additive with other plastics will have a long term effect on durable products.

Oxo-biodegradable materials cannot be

easily identified and so rted out of the waste stream, so the Recycler has no way of assessing pot ential damage, or o f assessing just how much stabiliser to add to try to nullify the degrading additive

The oxo-biodegradable additive has a

specific task – to de stroy the polymer molecular structure and properties, so recycling becomes impossible after a certain time period

Recycling of oxo -biodegradable bread

bags and factory waste has now bee n stopped in South Africa.

Consider this view from Woolworths, a leading retailer in South Africa: They say “they were keen on biodegrada ble packaging but they refused to go the addi tive route realizing it was going to compromise the fragile recycling industry in S A and that there was no point in taking oil – a no n renewable material – and making it “disappear.”

10 FACTS ABOUT PLASTICS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW10 FACTS ABOUT PLASTICS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

1. Plastics are one of the most resource efficient and versatile materials available to society.

2. Plastics make a significant contribution to the vital goals of sustainable development:

Social progress: plastics provide affordable products giving more people accessto higher standards of living, healthcare and information.

Economic development: the plastics industry chain in Europe adds value tosociety. It employs well over 1.5 million people and generates sales in excessof 159 billion euro.

Environment protection: plastics help save resources – fossil fuels and energy.Plastics products save water and food.

3. Plastics consume only a tiny fraction – just 4% - of the world’s oil, as feedstock.

4. Plastics products in use save oil :

100kg of plastics parts in cars reduces oil consumption by about 12 million tons each year in Europe, reducing CO2 emissions by 30 million tons a year.

Plastics help reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from our homes: the innovative use of plastics can reduce domestic fuel consumption to 3 litres per square metre, compared to an average of 20 litres.

1. Plastics are one of the most resource efficient and versatile materials available to society.

2. Plastics make a significant contribution to the vital goals of sustainable development:

Social progress: plastics provide affordable products giving more people accessto higher standards of living, healthcare and information.

Economic development: the plastics industry chain in Europe adds value tosociety. It employs well over 1.5 million people and generates sales in excessof 159 billion euro.

Environment protection: plastics help save resources – fossil fuels and energy.Plastics products save water and food.

3. Plastics consume only a tiny fraction – just 4% - of the world’s oil, as feedstock.

4. Plastics products in use save oil :

100kg of plastics parts in cars reduces oil consumption by about 12 million tons each year in Europe, reducing CO2 emissions by 30 million tons a year.

Plastics help reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from our homes: the innovative use of plastics can reduce domestic fuel consumption to 3 litres per square metre, compared to an average of 20 litres.

10 FACTS ABOUT PLASTICS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

10 FACTS ABOUT PLASTICS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

5. Plastics are too valuable to waste – even at end-of-life. After serving a useful purpose, plastics can either be recycled or used as an alternative fuel. Plastic waste has a calorific value at least equal to coal and with lower CO2 emissions.

6. Renewable energies rely on plastics: solar panels, wind turbines.

7. Over 1 billion people in the world lack access to safe water. Plastics can preserve and distribute water economically, reliably and safely.

8. No other material can compete with plastics when it comes to meeting technological demand while preserving resources.

5. Plastics are the champions of prevention:

Plastics packaging represents 17% of all European packaging and yet packages over 50% of the consumer goods.

Over a ten year period it is estimated that plastics packaging per unit has been reduced by around 28% thanks to technology.

Without plastics packaging, the weight of packaging would increase four-fold, production costs and energy consumption would be doubled, and waste volume increased by 150%.

6. Plastics make our lives safer: airbags, seatbelts, baby seats, bike helmets, medical devices ……. are just some examples.

5. Plastics are too valuable to waste – even at end-of-life. After serving a useful purpose, plastics can either be recycled or used as an alternative fuel. Plastic waste has a calorific value at least equal to coal and with lower CO2 emissions.

6. Renewable energies rely on plastics: solar panels, wind turbines.

7. Over 1 billion people in the world lack access to safe water. Plastics can preserve and distribute water economically, reliably and safely.

8. No other material can compete with plastics when it comes to meeting technological demand while preserving resources.

5. Plastics are the champions of prevention:

Plastics packaging represents 17% of all European packaging and yet packages over 50% of the consumer goods.

Over a ten year period it is estimated that plastics packaging per unit has been reduced by around 28% thanks to technology.

Without plastics packaging, the weight of packaging would increase four-fold, production costs and energy consumption would be doubled, and waste volume increased by 150%.

6. Plastics make our lives safer: airbags, seatbelts, baby seats, bike helmets, medical devices ……. are just some examples.

LINKSLINKS

USEFUL LINKS REGARDING PLASTIC AND THE ENVIROMENT

USEFUL LINKS REGARDING PLASTIC AND THE ENVIROMENT

www.savetheplasticbag.com

www.plasticseurope.org

www.plasticsinfo.co.za