Lunch at Capitol Hill with Plastics as the Honored Guest

A United States Senate office building was the site of an unlikely lunch gathering late last month, as lobbyists, union reps, lawmakers and corporate officials gathered on April 27^th to announce the merger of an unexpected team, the Chemical Industry Labor-Management Committee.

This merger links the chemical industry to NABTU, the North America’s Building Trades Union and the ACC, the American Chemistry Council. The goal of this powerful group of dominant sectors is to collaborate and develop solutions that effect both sectors. Areas of interests to be addressed include, work-place safety mandates, regulatory issues, the delivery of quality insight to the public and government authorities on fracking and environmental issues.

The collaboration on the Hill brought discussion of plastics to the floor with interests on each side of the spectrum. Key players in the topic of discussion include the involvement of the construction sector with an extraordinary group of plastic products ranging from sidings, windows, insulation and pipes as well as, liquid natural gas being brought to the table as an area of interest, as it is an explosive motivator in the $164 billion investment that has been poured into the chemical industry at this point.

An invite to Capitol Hill was clearly well-structured and perhaps a bit overdue, as the plastic industry should have had a seat at the table long ago. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas), said it best when he stated, “plastics make it possible.” These words uttered from the mouth of the man who represents The Texas 36^th, which happens to have the highest number of chemical plants and refineries in the country. Add that to the motion of Bill Pascrell (D-New Jersey), to initiate a 15-cent per pound tax break for bio-based producers of plastics and most would agree that plastics has finally taken the floor at Capitol Hill.

Founding members of the collaborative team also include Calgon Carbon Corp., the Laborers’ International Union of North America, Albemarle Corp., the United association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Techs and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.

Plastic Waste in Our Oceans

Plastic Waste in Our Oceans

Everyone knows that plastic waste in our oceans is a problem – but do you really know just how bad that problem is? A widely reported study published in the Journal Science in early 2015 found that in 2010, eight million tons of plastic trash ended up in the ocean from coastal countries – that’s about five plastic bags per foot of coastline. Even worse, if current trends continue, by 2025 it will be ten plastic bags per foot of coastline, with 15.5 million tons of plastic trash entering our oceans annually.

Ocean plastic has already turned up literally everywhere. It has been found in the deep, deep sea and buried in Arctic ice. It has been ingested (with dire consequences) by at least 700 species of marine wildlife. In coral reefs, plastic bags easily wrap around coral heads, quickly “suffocating” and killing them. Fish and birds also quickly get trapped in plastic waste like the rings that hold cans together in a six-pack, and eventually die of starvation. According to the Los Angeles Times, about 200,000 of the 500,000 albatross chicks born each year on Midway Atoll, a wildlife refuge in the Pacific Ocean off Hawaii, die of starvation because their parents mistake plastic trash for food and end up feeding it to their chicks.

The problem isn’t going away anytime soon. According to the Research Triangle Institute, since water keeps the plastic cool and algae blocks ultraviolet rays, "every little piece of plastic manufactured in the past 50 years that made it into the ocean is still out there somewhere."

Clearly, the world is not going to stop producing plastics – the use of plastic in consumer products has become increasingly dominant, and production has steadily risen since the material was first put into wide use a half century ago. For example, in 2012, 288 million tons of plastic were manufactured globally.

So how do we save our seas? Better litter collection and systems to save plastic from entering the ocean in the first place could help, but would likely only make a dent in the problem. Changing the formulation of the plastics we manufacture to make them easily and quickly biodegradable is a much better solution, and it’s possible to do – in fact, EcoPoly Solutions Inc. has been a leader in biodegradation technology for years. EcoPoly Solutions Inc. already has an additive that makes plastic biodegradable when it’s added during the manufacturing process. This can also be customized for agricultural products to degrade for any designated timeframe.

Technology gave us this problem, and technology is what’s needed to solve it. However you look at it, making plastic products biodegradable should be priority #1 if we want to save our oceans (and our planet!) from choking to death on plastic waste.

Plastic, Paper or Cotton: Which Bag is Better for the Environment?

The answer to the question is simple if you believe in science. The bag that is best for the environment would have the least negative impact upon the environment. A scientific assessment was completed by Environment Agency called a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA is a standard method for comparing the environmental impacts of providing, using and disposing of a product or providing a service throughout its life cycle (ISO 2006). In other words, LCA identifies the material and energy usage, emissions and waste flows of a product, process or service over its entire life cycle to determine its environmental performance. The conventional HDPE bag had the lowest environmental impacts of the lightweight bags in eight of the nine impact categories. The bag performed well because it was the lightest bag considered. The lifecycle impact of the bag was dictated by raw material extraction and bag production, with the use of Chinese grid electricity significantly affecting the acidification and eco-toxicity of the bag. That’s right! The conventional High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) “plastic" bag had the least impact on the environment of all the bags considered in the study. But that's only considering using each type of bag only. For many eco-friendly people, the whole point is to reuse other types of bags to avoid the perceived environmental hazards posed by the conventional plastic bag. Fortunately, the study revealed how many times the alternatives to the conventional plastic bag would have to be reused to overcome their own negative impacts to the environment:

Here, we find that if a consumer only uses a conventional HDPE plastic bag once (example… to carry their groceries home before throwing the bag away), a paper bag would have to be reused 3 times, a heavy-duty plastic bag made from Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) would have to be used 4 times, a plastic "bag-for-life" made of non-woven Polypropylene (PP) would have to be used 11 times, and a cotton (or canvas) bag would need to be re-used 131 times!!! The study reports that a canvas bag is expected to last for 52 trips. With that as a reference, a cotton/cloth canvas bag user does over twice the damage to the environment that a plastic bag using grocery shopper who throws away every plastic bag they get immediately after each shopping trip, as they will likely have to replace their more environmentally-destructive bag at least once long before they reach 131 uses! However, if a consumer reuses 100% of their conventional HDPE plastic bags (say as trash bags), the number of uses needed for the other bags to have a lesser environmental impact than the conventional HDPE plastic bag rises even more, which we see in the table above. For example, that re-usable canvas bag would need to be used at least 327 times to be less damaging to the environment! Wow! Uneducated or stubborn eco-friendly canvas bag users are over six times as destructive to the environment as the conventional consumers who simply re-use all of the plastic bags they get receive from the grocery store just one time. In Closing… Oxo-biodegradable bags have no significant difference (any differences were well under 1%) in environmental impact; due to similarity in functionality, weight, material content and production energy. However, in the case of litter, a comparison between a conventional HDPE bag and an oxo-biodegradable bag, the oxo-biodegradable bag is 75% better for the environment. If only those anti-plastic bag advocates cared more about the environment, perhaps they would do more research instead of making comments and claims based on emotion.... Reference Edwards, Chris and Fry, Jonna Meyhoff. Life Cycle Assessment of Supermarket Carrier Bags. Report SC030148.Environment Agency. A Life Cycle Assessment of Oxo-biodegradable, Compostable and Conventional Bags By Chris Edwards and Gary Parker. May 2012

A recent case was won for the Biodegradable Industry as a whole.

ECM BioFilms, Inc.d/b/a Enviroplastics International (“ECM”) was served a moral victory by Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell when the judge admonished his own administration for failing to prove that the term “biodegradable” meant that a product must be completely broken down within a year.  However, the company appealed the ruling to further exonerate their own claims before the full Federal Trade Commission as the plastics industry waits for answers.

In January of this year the case between ECM Plastics and the FTC was adjudicated by Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell of the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) over the claim made by ECM that their products were biodegradable in a landfill within five years.  The Judge handed down a mixed ruling citing that ECM had not substantiated that claim, but also that the FTC “Green Guides” had failed to prove their position based off of their definition that biodegradable meant that a product must be fully and completely biodegradable within a year. While the judge barred ECM from making any such claims regarding the time frame unless they are first substantiated with overwhelming evidence, he also held that the FTC failed to prove that the term “biodegradable” means that a product must be fully and completely biodegradable into the elements within a year.  ECM sufficiently proved before the court that the term “biodegradable” to consumers does not infer any particular period of time, as the FTC's Counsel attempted to assert, simply that it means the product had the capacity over time to decay and be rehabilitated into the elements.

What does this mean for companies who are creating biodegradable plastics? They are able to claim that their product will biodegrade as long as the company refrains from using time constraints that are not fully substantiated or has overwhelming scientific evidence to present regarding the period with which they claim a product will be completely degraded.

ECM's February appeal is surprising considering that they clearly had much of the decisions language in their favor when the judge questioned the FTC's own guidance on the use of the term “biodegradable”.  For other companies in the industry, (including the leader in biodegradable technology, EcoPoly Solutions) they are willing to take what they can get and see this as a step in the right direction.

“This is a huge case within our industry,” says a spokesperson for EcoPoly Solutions. “Watching the FTC get a slap on the wrist from their own judges was beyond surprising but more than that it really represented the future of how we are allowed to communicate with consumers.  I think that the judge recognized the evidence in our favor [biodegradable plastics industry] and made an educated and reasonable decision.”

Farmers Making Better Environmental Decisions in 2015

Farmers Making Better Environmental Decisions in 2015

New Farmers are being introduced to DegriFilm daily. DegriFilm is a product that revolutionizes the way farmers harvest their crops. Unlike traditional methods such as laying down conventional plastics that must be removed eventually from the top soil, this biodegradable film reduces the impact on the environment and reduces the cost to farmers of having it removed.

Farmers are at the front lines of the environmental battle. From the pesticides they use, to the way they dispose of runoff water, Farmers are the target of both governmental and public scorn. But with so few products to choose from, farmers often don’t know where to turn to for assistance in finding environmentally friendly farming tools. Fortunately, DegriFilm from EcoPoly is the perfect tool for preventing damage to crops and the soil while at the same time delivering the nutrients that the ground needs.

How it Works

EcoPoly has created their DegriFilm in a manner that is fully customized for farmers to utilize. Regardless of your needs, EcoPoly is here to help farmers get the coverage they need without harming the environment. Just like other mulch films, DegriFilm does its job well, the only difference is that it is completely degradable.

By utilizing the power of technology, DegriFilm helps farmers achieve the results they are after without risking harm to the environment or losing out on a healthy crop. This one-time use mulch film is fully customized and the perfect way to take farming into the future. Consider DegriFilm for your business and discover how well it works for yourself! Make 2015 your year to save money and help the environment. 

Farmers Save Money without Sacrificing Quality with Innovative Solutions

Farmers Save Money without Sacrificing Quality with Innovative Solutions

The American agricultural business is one of the largest industries in the country, and through the years farmers have experienced their fair share of market changes. Everything from the rising costs of products to every-changing political regulations has put pressure on farmers to find cost-cutting solutions that actually work. Of course, identifying these challenges is paramount to finding a solution.

Agricultural Challenges

In addition to the previously mentioned challenges, farmers also must deal with environmental battles as well. While pesticides and technology drive many farming methods helping them to produce more crops, they can also harm the environment. Combined this with the cost of labor and elimination of mulch film disposal, and the pressure on farmers becomes abundantly clear.

A farmers produce is only as good as the cultivation methods and products he uses, and with better crops costing more to produce many farmers are left grasping at straws in order to save money. Obviously, these challenges add up to severe costs that are not easily negated. But there is a way for farmers to save money without sacrificing the quality of their crops.

The Solution

One of the easiest ways to save money, reduce your impact on the environment, and retain the quality of your crops is to use DegriFilm. DegriFilm helps farmers save money on both labor and on disposal costs through customizable solutions that fit their needs. DegriFilm is biodegradable and while it provides the same benefits of standard mulch cover, it goes a step further by completely breaking down and becoming part of the soil as an organic matter instead of requiring physical removal. 

Additionally, DegriFilm allows farmers to relax knowing that no burning or land-filling will be necessary.

Navigating through the agricultural business is no easy task, but it just got a lot easier with DegriFilm. 

EcoPoly Solutions Inc. Announces their New Global Director of Sales

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Kristan Dunkin

info@ecopolysolutions.com

Ontario-based EcoPoly Solutions has announced Stephen T. Hofmann as it’s

new Global Director of Sales.

EcoPoly Solutions announces new Global Director of Sales

Ontario, Canada, July 1, 2014 – Today, EcoPoly Solutions Inc. officially announced the appointment of a new Global Director of Sales. Stephen T. Hofmann will be responsible for organizing and leading EcoPoly Solution’s global sales team.

Furthermore, in his new position as Global Director of Sales, Stephen T. Hofmann will be responsible for expansion of sales for EcoPoly’s DegriFilm and OxoElite additive on a global platform, as well as growing the global sales team, and strategy formation for sales operation.  In addition, Hofmann will handle international trade, USDA programs, UN agriculture initiatives, and overall government relations. 

“Stephen T. Hofmann has an exemplary work record. Stephen combines a sharp business acumen with an excellent technical mind,” said Derek Rynard, Chief Executive Officer of EcoPoly Solutions Inc. “We know he will be a great contributor and we look forward to welcoming him to EcoPoly Solutions as our new Global Director of Sales.”

Stephen Hofmann brings with him 20 years of experience in driving sales and global expansion. Hofmann’s work includes direct sales of sustainable products and business consulting in the fields of biodegradable plastics, helping to expand customer sales and growth. In addition, Hofmann spent 15 years as congressional and state legislative staff working on key agriculture programs.  Hofmann has a proven track record in the plastics industry and is the former president of the Oxo-biodegradable Plastic Alliance, an international association of sustainable plastic manufacturers and suppliers.  He has gained an excellent reputation for building relationships and maximizing the talents of the teams that he works with including some of the world’s largest companies. Further, Hofmann has also earned himself a reputation as being one of the top Washington, D.C. trade negotiators for international business and has a completely fresh perspective on growth for the company. 

About EcoPoly Solutions

EcoPoly Solutions is the only company globally to develop, manufacture and distribute biodegradable products. EcoPoly’s state of the art lab and manufacturing facility provides the tools necessary to customize biodegradable products, manufacture the customized products, distribute the products and provide ongoing product enhancement and testing services all under one roof. A full circle and complete relationship for helping businesses become more sustainable. EcoPoly is most recently known for closing the environmental loop for farmers by offering a biodegradable mulch film, DegriFilm. EcoPoly Solutions Inc. also understand the importance and obligation to provide this alternative and affordable solution to the plastic industries waste problems and accept the role with the integrity and respect it deserves. 

Why you should be using agricultural mulch film?

Why you should be using agricultural mulch film?

Any and every farmer is, by necessity, worried about keeping the land they own as healthy as possible, using only the best science and finest techniques that have been passed down to them. It is in your interests to keep your farm as productive and efficient as possible, giving the best possible yield with the least amount of money spent on it. One fantastic new method that is starting to gain much attention from scientists and farmers alike is biodegradable mulch film, also known as DegriFilm – but what on earth is it?

Let me start from the beginning. First and foremost why on earth would a farmer lay plastic to grow crops? Put simply, mulch film is laid on top of soil to grow vegetables and fruits in mass. This process can save water, create better yields, and even make the produce more attractive to buyers. I've highlighted below seven significant benefits of using mulch film:

1. Earlier Planting

Mulch film means that you will be able to alter the temperature of your soil – either higher, with dark films, or lower with clear or white films. This is perfect to speed up growth at the beginning of the season.

2. Moisture Retention

Once laid, mulch film prevents water from evaporating quickly in the sunlight, keeping all of that wonderful moisture right where you want it – in the soil, for your crops.

3. Weed Management

Exactly how the weeds are managed depends on the color of the film that you decide to lay. All colors will prevent rain water from reaching the weed roots, but clear film will allow sunlight to them, potentially allowing partial growth. However, it will be a greatly reduced growth rate.

4. Reduction of Leaching

One of the most frustrating things about fertiliser is the short amount of time that it is possible to keep it in the soil to work sufficiently. When you use mulch film, the plastic restricts the amount of movement of the fertilizer, preventing it from leaching.

5. Improved Quality

A great problem with growing fruit is the rot that can quickly set in if the fruit is resting on the soil. However, if you have been smart and invested in mulch film there will be a layer between the soil and fruit, keeping the quality of the fruit or vegetable stronger for a longer period of time.

6. Reduction of Compaction

Naturally, the sun and rain will eventually create a crust on the top of the soil, making it less productive to grow in. On the other hand, mulch film will prevent this from happening, keeping the soil loose and full of air, perfect for growth.

7. Reduction of Root Damage

Lastly, because of all the above benefits, manual cultivation of the soil will be reduced, and that will in turn reduce the potential damage that could be caused to the roots of your crops.

It’s only fair that I talk about the disadvantage of mulch film. The elephant in the room; obviously, plastic pollutes! At EcoPoly Solutions we recognized this problem and came up with a solution… DegriFilm! DegriFilm is a biodegradable mulch film. The amazing product is developed from beginning to end under our roof. Our lab is second to none globally and our manufacturing is in house. We have completely closed the loop on inconsistency in this market. DegriFilm helps farmers save money on disposing of mulch film while encouraging them to be more sustainable. DegriFilm is farming for the future.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan, 15, 2014

EcoPoly Solutions

+1 905 967 9008

info@ecopolysolutions.com

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.

EcoLogo: When Politics and Money Get in the Way of Helping the Environment

EcoLogo: When Politics and Money Get in the Way of Helping the Environment

In the fight to preserve the environment for future generations, one would think that honesty, integrity, and responsibility would come before greed, money, and politics. Unfortunately this isn’t always the case.

The US Federal Government pays lip service to protecting the environment on one day, then promotes offshore drilling and oil pipelines the next. Ultimately the highest paying lobbyists are the ones making the decisions, not the voters.

Similarly EcoLogo, a company that provides third-party certification of environmentally-preferable products, puts a premium on profits above environmental standards. First, the costs of certification are exorbitant, especially for smaller companies. Initial verification for each product can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000, plus travel costs of the auditor, and then another 0.5% of total product sales. Every subsequent product audited adds more costs. In other words, to get all of a company’s products certified as “environmentally-preferable” can cost tens of thousands of dollars initially, plus thousands of dollars per year, every year in the future.

And what does this certification ensure? Surprisingly little. One example is garbage bags.

Although they do certify biodegradability, there is no requirement that garbage bags or other such products be biodegradable. Furthermore to receive the biodegradability certification materials must only comply with the ASTM D6400 or EN 14995 instead of ensuring that they adhere to the stricter EN 13432 standards, which requires a minimum of 90% biodegradability. Additionally they only require they contain a minimum of 20% post-consumer (recycled) material in order to meet recycled content claims.

It’s a shame that they chose a business strategy that ends up earning more money rather than enforcing high standards. EcoPoly is committing to creating the highest quality products and adhering to the highest standards, regardless of the low standards put out by companies like EcoLogo.

Contact us today and find out how we can provide environmentally sound products of the highest standards for your organization.

EcoPoly Solutions new partnership with Lakehead University; a trial farm for Oxo-Biodegradable Mulch Film.

Recently EcoPoly Solutions Inc. partnered with Lakehead University to complete a trial farm for the testing of our new development; Oxo-Biodegradable Mulch Film.

With our new product, a farmer could plow the new-age mulch film into the soil, where the plastic will decompose into biomass, Co2 and water. EcoPoly Solutions has a variety of applications for each farmer’s specific need.  For example a farmer growing strawberries would need a different type of our mulch film than a farmer growing corn.

At EcoPoly Solutions, we are ecstatic about this product. Farmers work very hard for every dollar they make and now, we can help them save money while being more sustainable than ever before. Environmental sustainability, at the end of the day, is incredibly important. Everything we do in business and in our personal lives that can limit our carbon footprint is important.

Additional information about the trial farm is located in this article from Lakehead University. https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/news-and-events/news/archive/2013/node/15772

If you are interested in learning more about our Oxo-Biodegradable Mulch Film, please contact me at Kristan@ecopolysolutions.com

EcoPoly Solutions Inc. is proud to announce their OxoElite Oxo-biodegradable plastic additives approved by UAE Government.

EcoPoly Solutions Inc. is proud to announce their OxoElite Oxo-biodegradable plastic additives approved by UAE Government. 

 PRESS RELEASE

April 3, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ECOPOLY’S OxoElite OXO-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC ADDITIVES APPROVED BY UAE GOVERNMENT Dubai, UAE

(April 3, 2013) – EcoPoly Solutions Inc. is pleased to announce receipt of a certificate of conformity by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA). The certificate is for compliance to Standard UAE S. 5009:2009 “Standard & Specification for Oxo-Biodegradation of Plastic Bags and Other Disposable Plastic Objects”. This approval allows EcoPoly Solutions to supply their OxoElite oxo-biodegradable additives in the United Arab Emirates and use the prescribed symbols by ESMA to mark the products as being oxo-biodegradable.

In October 2009, the UAE commenced a progressive ban on plastic bags and other plastic products that are not oxo-biodegradable. Products within the scope of this ban, whether locally produced or imported, require them to be produced or distributed by a supplier certified by ESMA. The certification process involves the audit of the supplier’s facility, manufacturing process and technology. Upon approval, the supplier is granted a certificate of conformity in accordance with Standard UAE S. 5009:2009.

Eurogulf Industrial Supplies LLC approached EcoPoly Solutions Inc., in mid-2012, to begin cooperation together as their sole agent in the UAE market. EcoPoly Solutions Director of Sales, Stephen Arsenault, said “We are honored to have received the prestigious Quality Mark and excited to begin working within the UAE with our distribution partner Eurogulf Industrial Supplies LLC. We have the highest amount of respect and admiration for the UAE government with their efforts and legislative steps taken. This legislation has provided solutions to the potential implications of plastic pollution on the environment”.

Eurogulf Industrial Supplies LLC, General Manager, Anthony Ryan said “We are excited to now have the opportunity to market the cutting edge oxo-biodegradable product, from EcoPoly Solutions Inc., in the GCC, following the intensive certification process from all sides. The UAE is the first country in the GCC to introduce strict rules related to oxo-biodegradable plastic products. We look forward to the next steps in the expansion of the regulations to encompass other plastic products”. Eurogulf Industrial Supplies LLC, CEO Maria M Koursaris “tributes this to the foresight of the country’s leaders and will certainly reap rewards for the environment of the country”.

About EcoPoly Solutions Inc.: 

EcoPoly Solutions Inc. is a multinational company with a global R&D facility located in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. EcoPoly provides proprietary additives for incorporation into plastic products during manufacturing that enable them to oxo-biodegradade. EcoPoly has a state of the art laboratory, equipped for testing to all standards established for the biodegradable plastics industry. This in-house technology allows for continuous development, exceptional quality control and immediate customer support. EcoPoly has their own manufacturing facility in a controlled environment with enhanced automation allowing for maximized quality in all products.

About Eurogulf Industrial Supplies LLC:

Eurogulf Industrial Supplies LLC was established by Mr. Michael C. Koursaris in 1989 and is based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Eurogulf Industrial Supplies LLC has grown to be one of the leading companies dealing in raw materials and representing machine manufacturers for the plastic and packaging industry. Eurogulf Industrial Supplies LLC sales territory is spread throughout the GCC, (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) Yemen and Iran, covering over two hundred well established clients in the various fields of plastic and packaging.

 Contact:


Stephen Arsenault,
Director of Sales EcoPoly Solutions Inc.
Tel: +1 905 967 9018
E-mail: steve@ecopolysolutions.com
www.ecopolysolutions.com


Anthony Ryan,
General Manager.
Eurogulf Industrial Supplies LLC
Mobile: +971 50 481 6947
E-mail: Anthony@eurogulf.net
www.eurogulf.net

Walter Cornelisse,
Managing Director.
Eurogulf Industrial Supplies LLC
Mobile: +971 50 632 8848
E-mail: Walter@eurogulf.net
www.eurogulf.net

Plastic, Paper or Cotton: Which Bag is Better for the Environment?

The answer to the question is simple if you believe in science. The bag that is best for the environment would have the least negative impact upon the environment. A scientific assessment was completed by Environment Agency called a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA is a standard method for comparing the environmental impacts of providing, using and disposing of a product or providing a service throughout its life cycle (ISO 2006). In other words, LCA identifies the material and energy usage, emissions and waste flows of a product, process or service over its entire life cycle to determine its environmental performance. The conventional HDPE bag had the lowest environmental impacts of the lightweight bags in eight of the nine impact categories. The bag performed well because it was the lightest bag considered. The lifecycle impact of the bag was dictated by raw material extraction and bag production, with the use of Chinese grid electricity significantly affecting the acidification and eco-toxicity of the bag. That’s right! The conventional High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) “plastic" bag had the least impact on the environment of all the bags considered in the study. But that's only considering using each type of bag only. For many eco-friendly people, the whole point is to reuse other types of bags to avoid the perceived environmental hazards posed by the conventional plastic bag. Fortunately, the study revealed how many times the alternatives to the conventional plastic bag would have to be reused to overcome their own negative impacts to the environment:

Here, we find that if a consumer only uses a conventional HDPE plastic bag once (example… to carry their groceries home before throwing the bag away), a paper bag would have to be reused 3 times, a heavy-duty plastic bag made from Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) would have to be used 4 times, a plastic "bag-for-life" made of non-woven Polypropylene (PP) would have to be used 11 times, and a cotton (or canvas) bag would need to be re-used 131 times!!! The study reports that a canvas bag is expected to last for 52 trips. With that as a reference, a cotton/cloth canvas bag user does over twice the damage to the environment that a plastic bag using grocery shopper who throws away every plastic bag they get immediately after each shopping trip, as they will likely have to replace their more environmentally-destructive bag at least once long before they reach 131 uses! However, if a consumer reuses 100% of their conventional HDPE plastic bags (say as trash bags), the number of uses needed for the other bags to have a lesser environmental impact than the conventional HDPE plastic bag rises even more, which we see in the table above. For example, that re-usable canvas bag would need to be used at least 327 times to be less damaging to the environment! Wow! Uneducated or stubborn eco-friendly canvas bag users are over six times as destructive to the environment as the conventional consumers who simply re-use all of the plastic bags they get receive from the grocery store just one time. In Closing… Oxo-biodegradable bags have no significant difference (any differences were well under 1%) in environmental impact; due to similarity in functionality, weight, material content and production energy. However, in the case of litter, a comparison between a conventional HDPE bag and an oxo-biodegradable bag, the oxo-biodegradable bag is 75% better for the environment. If only those anti-plastic bag advocates cared more about the environment, perhaps they would do more research instead of making comments and claims based on emotion.... Reference Edwards, Chris and Fry, Jonna Meyhoff. Life Cycle Assessment of Supermarket Carrier Bags. Report SC030148.Environment Agency. A Life Cycle Assessment of Oxo-biodegradable, Compostable and Conventional Bags By Chris Edwards and Gary Parker. May 2012

What You Don't Know About Litter and Landfills

What You Don't Know About Litter and Landfills.

The University of Arizona conducted a landfill study and uncovered still-recognizable 25 year old hot dogs, corn cobs and grapes in landfills, as well as 50 year old readable newspapers.

That’s disgusting and disappointing. Typically most landfills are too jammed packed for trash to biodegrade. Landfills are fundamentally anaerobic (without oxygen) because they are compacted so tight that oxygen can’t get in. These are entombed landfills and made this way simply to ensure there is no leaching or run off. Therefore, any biodegradation that does take place happens very slowly. Landfills have very little dirt, limited oxygen, and limited microbial activity once below 6 feet. Biodegradation occurs when trash is broken down by living organisms, (enzymes and microbes) into its fundamental parts, and in turn recycled by nature. Petroleum biodegrades quickly in its original form however, if petroleum is processed into plastic, it is no longer biodegradable; which adds to indefinite landfill overflow. On a positive note… there are a few landfills that were created to promote biodegradation through inserting natural resources such as water, oxygen and even microbes. Obviously these kinds of landfills are costly to develop and maintain.

Landfills are not the biggest problem we have. Litter is a problem. Litter can last hundreds of years. Litter can harm the environment as well as animals in the environment. Over 10 Billion pieces of plastic litter our nation’s roadways…*(KAB - "Keep America Beautiful" 2009 National Visible Litter Survey and Litter Cost Study)

EcoPoly Solutions has reinvented plastics. Our additive, that allows plastics to become oxo-biodegradable, is a solution to many consumers and manufacturers. Oxo-biodegradation has an absolute advantage over other methods for degrading plastic.

Degradation time varies depending on the amount of exposure to accelerating factors such as sunlight, heat, moisture and the levels of microbial activity. This is an ideal situation for consumers. Oxo-biodegradable plastic degrades quickest in the situation we want it to; when it becomes litter. Once it becomes litter it will degrade and ultimately biodegrade in 12 to 60 months.

We have little control of the waste that is continuously piling up in landfills but we have complete control of what products we buy and manufacture to insure when and if it becomes litter it will degrade properly and quickly.

Recycle Your Plastics Already!

Okay… I admit; I never recycled before I met an amazing Canadian that taught me everything I know about recycling. Shame on me! Now I’m a different person, I recycle! Today recycling and reuse of plastics is gaining an enormous importance as a sustainable method for plastic disposal. However, plastic is more difficult to recycle than materials like glass, aluminum or paper. A common issue with recycling plastics is that plastics are often made up of more than one kind of polymer and possibly added fibers or an added composite. Commonly Recycled Plastics are HDPE, LDPE, PET, PP, PS and PVC.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) used in piping, automotive fuel tanks, bottles, toys,

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) used in plastic bags, cling film, flexible containers;

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) used in carpets, food packaging, beverage and other liquid containers;

Polypropylene (PP) used in food containers, cutlery, battery cases, automotive parts and fibers;

Polystyrene (PS) used in dairy product containers, tape cassettes, foam cups and plates;

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) used in flooring, bottles, window frames, door frames, packaging film, cable insulation, credit cards and medical products.

Plastic polymers require greater processing to be recycled as each type melts at different temperatures and has different properties, so separation is crucial. However, your part is easy. Rinse your plastics and make sure they’re put in a recycling bin and collected properly. After you do your part in recycling, this is what happens next.

Collection

This is done through roadside collections and/or special recycling bins.

Sorting

At this stage, nails and stones are removed. The plastic is sorted into three types: PET, HDPE and 'other'.

Chipping

The sorted plastic is cut into small pieces.

Washing

This stage removes contaminants; paper labels, dirt and fragments of the product originally contained in the plastic.

Pelletization

The plastic is melted down and extruded into small pellets ready for reuse.

Your part is simple. Don’t be lazy, Recycle

Plastic Bag Bans = Serious Implications

Much time and energy is focused on retail plastic bag bans and levies by many groups and governments agencies. However, decisions tend to be based on emotion rather than fact when it comes to applying bag taxes or outright bans. With some simple research or appealing to the plastics industry for information prior to making ill informed decisions, the emotional factor can be eliminated in their final determinations.

One such example of this was a recent decision by the Toronto, Ontario, Canada city council decision to ban plastic bags. Article by CPIA (Candian Plastics Industry Association) stated the following:
"TORONTO, June 7, 2012 - The Toronto City Council voted yesterday to a) rescind the bag fee by-law effective July 1, and b) impose a ban on plastic bags.  The ban bylaw, which will take effect January 1, 2013, bans plastic grocery and other single use plastic retail store bags."
Also..."While we’re pleased that the bag bylaw has been rescinded, the bag ban seems to have come from nowhere, without any forethought or discourse, and it’s a shock.  We are going to look at all of our available options, including the legality of the ban." Full Story here Toronto Bag Ban
A decision, it appears, that was based on emotion rather than fact. Much has been written and studied on why bag bans do not work yet they never seem to be included in city councils decision making process. 

Another article from CPIA on why bag bans do not work can be found here with an exert from the article below displaying the adverse implications of imposing such bans. 

Bans actually result in the consumption of more plastic and paper resulting in more waste going to landfill, not less.

In Ireland, after the bag tax was introduced in 2002, consumers switched to different bag options to avoid the tax. They switched to heavy duty plastic bags, like kitchen catchers, for their household garbage. These heavier bags contain 81% more plastic that retail plastic carry bags.

The end result was that the amount of plastic used in Ireland actually increased by 21 percent even though the number of plastic shopping bags handed out at check out decreased 90 percent. This resulted in a significant increase in the amount of material going into landfill not less. 

From CPIA Article WHY PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG BANSAND TAXES DON’T WORK

These articles focused on financial and waste implications but there are more serious implications that may not be as visible. Cloth bags are being used as alternatives to plastic bags to assist in carrying our grocery, retail and other consumable goods. While these seem to be a great alternative because of their strength they also come with some potential negative aspects as well. They do have a useful shelf life but the only disposal option at the end of their life is landfill. They are more expensive. They can not be recycled. Most alarming, they can attribute to illness and be an easy carrier of airborne disease. 

Oregon placed a ban on plastic bags and shortly after there was an incident that can be considered coincidence. However the timing is in question when a team of 13 and 14 year old kids and their chaperones became ill. Please see the EmaxHealth article for this full story. Scientists pinpointed the reason why all of these children and adults became sick which led them to cookies eaten out of a reusable cloth bag that was in one sick girls room. "The scientists tested the bag and it was positive for the virus, even two weeks later" Are these bag bans forcing us into alternatives that can potentially harm us? 

An interesting blog that I read titled 

Reusable Grocery Bags: Shocking Scary New Study!

In a shocking new study conducted by the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University in California, it was found that 12% of re-useable bags contained Escherichia coli (E.Coli)!!! Even more disturbing, is that when meat juices were added to the bags and stored in the trunks of cars for two hours, there was a two-fold increase in the number of bacteria, indicating the potential for bacteria growth in these bags! The purpose of this study was to assess the potential for cross-contamination of food products from reusable bags used to carry groceries.

Like it or not, accept it or not, we have made plastic bags a huge part of our lives and they do have positive uses in our day to day lives. 

They are a cost effective way to carry our consumables home

They can be recycled

They can be biodegradable if they happen to find their way into the environment

They can be reused as many of us do for garbage in our homes

They can be used to carry our lunch to work/school

They can be used to carry a spare set of clothes to the beach

They can be used to wrap greasy car parts in when going to replace them

They can be used to keep the water off our feet or heads in a rain storm

They can be used to carry soggy laundry from the camping trip or vacation property

They can be used as protective packaging fill when shipping important packages

And the list goes on.......

What chances are we taking with the health and well being of our families just because one person at one point in time decided that plastic bags were going to destroy the earth? There are ways to makes them work to our benefit while not creating issues for our environment.

EcoPoly Solutions Inc.

EcoLogo Meeting on Oxo-biodegradable Inclusion in CCD-126 Standard for Plastic Film Products

EcoPoly Solutions, representatives from their technical support team, a Client Service Coordinator for the Terrachoice/EcoLogo Program and a Sustainability Analyst from the Terrachoice/EcoLogo Program met for an open, informative and resourceful meeting regarding the potential of including Oxo-biodegradable products in the CDD-126 Standard for Plastic Film products.

There was a lot of information gathering, educating and brainstorming from all meeting participants. EcoPoly Solutions initiated the meeting, that EcoLogo graciously accepted, with the intention of learning the process/steps required to make changes or amendments to Standards. Terrachoice/EcoLogo's representatives were very knowledgeable and helped us understand how things work with their processes and protocols. The unfortunate part is CCD-126 had just undergone changes and it is now with manufacturers/end users for re-certification. However, when Terrachoice/EcoLogo receive information that potentially will enhance current standards or credible information that other options are available from consumers/ stakeholders etc. they will listen, review and research the importance, validity and current available documentation. This is great news!

EcoPoly Solutions commissioned a report that included a 20 page summary, almost 50 reference papers totalling more than 500 pages. This report not only outlined the benefits of having Oxo-biodegradable products included in EcoLogo CCD-126 but also gave concrete, peer reviewed studies proving the technology does in fact work. I do not believe that any other company has gone beyond simply writing a 2, 3 or 4 page reply addressing their concerns that Oxo-biodegradable products were not accepted under this Standard. EcoPoly Solutions wanted to take a non-biased approach and compile a comprehensive package to present to EcoLogo. EcoPoly Solutions wanted to make it clear that we believe in both Oxo-biodegradable and Compostable technologies as well certain applications are better suited to each technology.

The EcoLogo representatives have agreed to review the extensive information compiled, present it to the appropriate personnel within EcoLogo, Terra Choice and Underwriters Laboratories (all the same organisation)  and then move forward with potentially making draft changes to the current CCD-126. There is too much supported evidence to ignore the fact that the right thing to do is add Oxo-biodegradable plastics to the Standard so that manufacturers/End Users have a "CHOICE" between the two technologies. Compostable plastics are very well suited to holding organic waste so that separation is not required if they make it to an Industrial Composting Facility and Oxo-biodegradable technologies are better suited to plastic films that end up in the landfill, the unfortunate locations of waterways or other natural environmental locations as litter.

CCD-126, as mentioned, had recently undergone changes to the standard with re-certification currently under way.  EcoPoly Solutions does not think disrupting the current re-certification is required. Instead we feel that a few deletions can be made in reference to not including Oxo-biodegradable plastics within this standard and some additions to section 5 including Oxo-biodegradable plastics giving a CHOICE between Compostable and Oxo-biodegradable. It is impossible to ignore the fact that both Compostable and Oxo-biodegradable plastics need to be supported by CCD-126 since one technology does not fit all applications available to consumers.

EcoLogo CCD 126 and its Exclusion of Proven Oxo-biodegradable Technologies

About Ecologo... parent company (Underwriters Laboratory)

Founded in 1988 by the Government of Canada but now recognized world-wide,EcoLogo^TM is North America’s largest, most respected environmental standard and certification mark. EcoLogo provides customers – public, corporate and consumer – with assurance that the products and services bearing the logo meet stringent standards of environmental leadership. With THOUSANDS of EcoLogo Certified products, EcoLogo certifies environmental leaders covering a large variety of categories, helping you find and trust the world’s most sustainable products. From website...http://www.ecologo.org/en/ 

Seems like a good organization and makes sense to have organizations that keep companies honest, however it begs the question, Why would they want to exclude or try to ignore other competing technologies? Maybe just a lack of information? 

What am I talking about? Ecologo Standard CCD 126 Plastic Film Products. http://www.ecologo.org/common/assets/criterias/CCD-126.pdf

From Ecologo website.
The requirements of the EcoLogo Plastic Film Products Standard, CCD-126, are intended to recognize products on the market that are environmentally preferable. The criteria are based on a review of currently available life cycle impacts and consideration of the markets and stakeholder input.
Life cycle review, standards development and revision are ongoing processes. As information and technology change, the product category requirements will be reviewed and possibly amended.
At this time, “oxo-degradable” and “oxo-biodegradable” plastic film products will not be allowed to carry the EcoLogo®. Inherent biodegradability by existing standard test methods has not been demonstrated for these products.The EcoLogo®Program reserves the right to consider these products at a later time.

CCD-126 covers minimum amounts and types of recycled resins that must be included in applications that wish to have the Ecologo certification and more importantly the requirements set for Biodegradability Claims. The requirements must adhear to ASTM 6400 or EN14995 standards and apply only to composting in municipal and industrial composting facilities. So what this means is, if the films/bags do not make it to one of these facilities then it will not meet the requirements as set out by EcoLogo. What percentage of these bags will actually make it to an industrial composting facility? I am guessing a very small percentage, meaning the rest will go to landfill, recycling or end up as litter. Hang on...compostable bags/films are not recyclable. Now what?

You mean there are times that compostable bags/films may not be the answer or right application? 

Is there another option? Something that should also have the EcoLogo certification? YES!!! Oxo-biodegradable bags/film products. As mentioned above, "The EcoLogo Program has reserved the right to consider at a later time" leading me to believe they do not have all of the proper information.  If they did have all information I would hope that a valid and proper decision would have been made long ago. EcoLogo references position paper (or more accurate, a simple article from a magazine) "Oxo-biodegradable" Plastics, Berlin, July 2009, European Bioplastics" I assume their reasoning behind not making Oxo-biodegradable plastics part of their Standard and denying products from carrying the EcoLogo Certification. They are citing an article that has since been successfully refuted along with other known reports such as the Defra report EVO442. There are many papers and reports, well documented and peer reviewed, proving that Oxo-biodegradable products perform as claimed.  

Points:

Oxo-biodegradable plastics will not meet the criteria ASTM 6400 for compostable products. This is the only issue, yet Oxo-biodegradable products were not intended to be compostable. They are a very different technology.
However...
Oxo-biodegradable plastics have their own standard ASTM 6954 that does include biodegradation.
Oxo-biodegradable plastics are recyclable.
Oxo-biodegradable plastics can be manufactured meeting all requirements for recycled content with many current applications being manufactured with 100% recycled content. 
Oxo-biodegradable plastics do not exceed the heavy metal requirements.
Oxo-biodegradable plastics should be not only considered but fast tracked into the EcoLogo program.

Different applications are better suited for each technology. Bags/films used for food compost/waste should be compostable allowing it all to be taken to an industrial composting facility and not require separation. Retail shopping bags, trash bags and other single use plastics should be Oxo-biodegradable. It is great when Oxo-biodegradable plastics end up in landfill if this is the intended destination. However, Oxo-biodegradable plastics that end up in a recycling facility can be recycled and made into films or other plastic products. If they don't make it to their intended "end of life" destination and find there way blowing around in the environment....they will oxo-biodegrade, unlike their compostable counterparts that require a facility to biodegrade.

It is time to set aside personal agendas and make decisions based on what is best for consumers, the environment and the future. EcoPoly Solutions is certainly not biased in their comments and believe whole heatedly in and manufacture both Oxo-biodegradable and Compostable resins. Further we feel there is a time and place for each technology. EcoLogo states that they use Stakeholder participation http://www.ecologo.org/en/criteria/publicreview/  yet with all of the information things still remain unchanged. I would like to give them the benefit of the doubt and believe this has not changed because they have not been presented with proper information. I would hope it is not the case of "personal agendas" within UL, EcoLogo or their stakeholders. 

On a great note, as I was writing this I confirmed an appointment with an EcoLogo Project Manager and will be meeting with them on July 19, 2012. EcoPoly Solutions plan to have an open conversation about moving this issue forward, fact finding and presenting them with the most comprehensive package of studies and work that has been done and is currently underway in Oxo-biodegradation. Hopefully within a short period of time Oxo-biodegradable products will soon carry the EcoLogo Certification. EcoPoly Solutions will not stop until this is achieved and will continue to keep the public aware of the progress. 
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