EcoPoly Solutions Responds to French Proposal to Ban Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics

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Jan, 15, 2014

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EcoPoly Solutions Responds to French Proposal to Ban Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics

Newmarket, On. – EcoPoly Solutions is taking a stance, with the Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Association (OPD), on criticizing the lobbying attempt to take oxo-biodegradable plastics off the French market. If successful this would clear the way for bio-based plastics which have completely different uses and places in the market than their perceived oxo-biodegradable competition.

OPD states:

It would be surprising if the French Government allowed this proposal to pass into law, because in a civilized country you cannot close down a lawful business on the basis of a mere suspicion – you need to have credible evidence to justify such a serious interference with freedom. Moreover, any such law would contravene Art 18 of the EU Packaging Waste Directive, and even if that article were eventually amended as proposed by the Commission, it would still contravene Article 36 of TFEU.

OPD’s full statement can be found here: http://www.biodeg.org/files/uploaded/Lobbyists%20risk%20making%20fools%20of%20French%20Deputies%20over%20plastic%20bags%2014.01.14.pdf

The reality is that bio-based plastics and oxo-biodegradable plastics should not even cross into the same markets therefore the need to “slam” one another is completely ridiculous. They both have their time and places for their respective technologies. For example, bio-based plastics are well suited for your local home organic program provided it is collected and sent to an industrial composting facility. These facilities are found in some parts of the world but certainly not found in developing countries. Oxo-biodegradable plastics are ideal for many single use applications including products we use every day. These products can range from grocery bags, fast food containers, soda/coffee cups and lids to agricultural mulch films; that are a necessity in the farming world. Some plastics are simply difficult to recycle and absolutely should not be buried or burned. It makes economic and environmental sense for these products to be made degradable. Globally, littered plastic is found on the side of roadways, fields, forests, deserts, streams, rivers, oceans and virtually anywhere in the environment. Oxo-biodegradable plastics only require oxygen and microbial activity to completely biodegrade however factors such as heat, light, wind and rain simply help accelerate the process.

We have seen bio-based lobbyists work to try and ban oxo-biodegradable plastics in several parts of the world. This is purely driven by commerce and if the time ever comes that they are successful it would be a complete travesty for the environment. There is no benefit to the environment for government to segregate one technology especially when they do not have the resources to properly deal with any or all bio-based materials. This does not even take into account the dramatically higher costs associated with bio-based plastics. There is a time and place for both technologies and it is time to stop the mud-slinging and make decisions based on what is good for everyone including stake holders, consumers and most importantly the environment.

   EcoPoly Solutions is a company that is in business to develop, manufacture and distribute the best oxo-biodegradable additive and agricultural mulch films available in the market. Our ongoing product development seeks to provide affordable solutions and alternatives to the plastic industry for waste problems and global food chain advancements.

EcoPoly Solutions Closes Environmental Loop for Farmers

(Press Release November 11th 2013)

The agricultural industry’s failure to provide farmers with adequate plastic mulch film alternatives has led to the introduction of a biodegradable mulch film from EcoPoly Solutions, an Oxo-biodegradable plastic film and additive manufacturer and distributor. In a market that currently disposes of mulch films by burning, burying or sending it to a landfill, this biodegradable film helps to offset the environmental and monetary costs that those methods present. Recognizing the visible benefits of biodegradable products EcoPoly Solutions created a mulch film technology that, like regular mulch films, can reduce soil compaction, fertilizer leaching, moisture evaporation, weed problems and increases soil temperatures to produce a higher yield and increased early growth in crops while providing the added benefit of biodegrading. Farmers currently face issues with inadequate biodegradable films, which create a buildup of plastic in tillable soil and leave farmers with mounting problems. These issues stem from too many different companies’ involved in the manufacturing of the additives and finished goods with limited expertise, knowledge and information to create products that work. EcoPoly Solutions has full control of the entire process in their own facility. Formulation design and testing is certified by their engineers and PHD’s, which then transfers to their manufacturing line for resin and additive compounding. EcoPoly Solution’s mono and co-ex film lines manufacture the film, which is then sent to a third party for proof of performance. “We are the only company globally that has a major, world-class lab facility onsite dedicated to biodegradable plastics research and development,” Steve Arsenault, Director of Sales at EcoPoly Solutions said. “There are hundreds of experiments and formulations worked on daily to continually improve the finished goods. EcoPoly Solutions manufactures all of the degradable, raw materials that are incorporated into the finished agricultural films. We also control the manufacturing process of the finished mulch film that farmers use on their fields.” There is no single product that will work on a global scale. Every country, region, municipality and farmer has different requirements due to varying environmental conditions and soil conditions, as well as differing crops, farm equipment and experience. This multi-billion dollar industry is expected to increase by more than forty percent in the next four years and EcoPoly Solutions has the ability to provide what the farmers require. “Bottom line is that with these films the environmental and financial gains to the farmers can be enormous,” said Derek Rynard, CEO of EcoPoly Solutions.
EcoPoly Solutions is a company that is in business to develop, manufacture and distribute the best Oxo-biodegradable additive and agricultural mulch films available in the market. Our ongoing product development seeks to provide affordable solutions and alternatives to the plastic industry for waste problems and global food chain advancements.