FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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.
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