How do the additives work?
The additives work by increasing the rate of polymer oxidation. That’s why they are called oxo-degradable additives. Like iron rusts when exposed to oxygen, polyethylene “rusts” with the help of the oxo-additives. Exposure to heat and/or sunlight speed up the oxo-degradation process. How long does it take to decompose the film or bags with oxo-additives?This is where a lot of controversy arises. Most people think that because the film or bags contain a degradable additive they will start falling apart as they pass the lip of the trash can. Paper doesn’t and neither will this material. Polyethylene without the degradable additives will take many years to break down in the environment – depending on the conditions of exposure to the elements. Polyethylene with degradable additive will take much less time (years less) in comparison under the same conditions again depending on the conditions of exposure to the elements. Degradable polyethylene buried in a landfill will not decompose any fa
