Oxo Degradable Plastics

Epi is the world leader and pioneer of oxo biodegradable plastic technology.

Oxo degradable plastics.

Oxo degradable plastics are a type of degradable plastic designed to fragment in the presence of oxygen. However according to a report from the european commission there is no evidence that oxo degradable plastic will subsequently fully biodegrade in a reasonable time in the open environment on landfills or in the. The resulting microplastics are left in the environment indefinitely until they eventually fully break down. Spain is the second country in europe to take concrete actions to limit the harmful impacts of oxo degradable plastics.

The oxo biodegradable plastics federation obpf is an industry wide global collaboration group to promote the appropriate use of oxo biodegradable products through participation in the development of standards regulations material guides and positive community interaction. Because oxo degradable plastics are only degradable not biodegradable or certified compostable after the bio additives have broken down traditional plastics remain. Even if the small pieces are microscopic the plastic still exists and can easily enter the environment. Accordingly epi recommends all manufacturers and companies selling or planning to sell products with tdpa in the eu to abide with the eu s.

By using oxo biodegradable plastic we reduce the amount of carbon emissions during the process of manufacturing bioplastics. European bioplastics eubp the association of the bioplastics industry in europe strongly welcomes this clear commitment to take action. The european commission has recommended eu wide measures be taken against so called oxo degradable plastics. Oxo degradable plastic including plastic carrier bags may degrade quicker in the open environment than conventional plastic.

The oxo degradable sector holds a different view. The directive foresees a ban on all products made of oxo degradable plastic from july 2021. The normal manufacturing of plastics emits about 4 tons of greenhouse emissions. The coalition claims it contains additives meant to accelerate the fragmentation of plastics into microplastics.

The exact date of such ban will depend on the applicable legislation passed by each eu member state. Oxo degradable plastics will not break down at all or will break down extremely slowly in environments with relatively low concentrations of oxygen such as in marine environments if covered by soil or buried in a compost bin. Oxo degradable plastics quickly fragment into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics but don t break down at the molecular or polymer level like biodegradable and compostable plastics. Oxo degradable material is often found in products such as plastic bags.