EnviroBubblewrap FAQs

1. What is oxo-biodegradation?

Oxo-biodegradation is a two-stage process in which a plastic is first converted by reaction with oxygen to molecular fragments that are water- wettable. Secondly, these smaller oxidized molecules are biodegraded and converted into carbon dioxide, water and biomass, by microorganisms. The rate at which this happens for conventional plastics is very slow, taking decades or even centuries. EPI’s TDPA™ additives are catalysts that accelerate this reaction so that it occurs over a few months to a couple of years.

2. How controllable is shelf life and service life?

Information on product requirements such as storage conditions, disposal environment and expected degradation rate will enable EPI to give the best recommendation; TDPA™ additives are manufactured in a range of formulations and incorporated at various concentrations in order to control product shelf life and service life.

3. Can TDPA based plastics be recycled?

Yes, in-plant materials (trimmings, scrap, etc.) are normally recycled and commonly practiced amongst EPI’s manufacturers. The usual amount of recycled materials used is about 20% for degradable/biodegradable and 5% for non-degradable end products. This will ensure that quality of the end products is not compromised. Additionally, post-consumer plastics can also be recycled in existing recycle streams provided they have not already started to degrade.

4. What are the end products of biodegradation and do they have any harmful effect on the environment?

The end products of biodegradation are carbon dioxide, water and biomass. Extensive studies and tests have been conducted by EPI with internationally recognized laboratories and institutions to confirm that they do not leave harmful or toxic residues to the environment.

5. Why use degradable?

By far the largest proportion of single use plastics such as those used in disposable packaging end their lives in landfills or, unfortunately, as litter. Conventional plastics can persist unchanged for many years in such environments. The same items made from plastics utilizing EPI’s proprietary TDPA™ technology safely degrade and biodegrade within a few months to 2 - 3 years in these environments. In landfills, they reduce landfill volume and help maximize capacity utilization and they aid in landfill compression. While not a solution to littering, degradable plastics help in its management by avoiding accumulation of litter. There are also niche markets for example in agricultural mulch films and as landfill covers where products using EPI technology bring large economic and environmental benefits.

Source:
EPI Environmental Technologies Inc., “Frequently Asked Questions”, (2010), viewed 18 October 2010, <http://www.epi-global.com/en/frequently-asked-questions.php>