What are the advantages of Biodegradable Plastics?
13. Are so called ‘oxo-biodegradable plastics’ suitable for organic recovery? The so-called ‘oxo-degradable plastics’ are not suitable for organic recovery. So called ‘oxo-degradable plastics’ (i.e.: polyolefins with metal-containing additives) are sometimes advertised as being ‘biodegradable’ or even ‘compostable’. Such claims are misleading if they are not substantiated by showing compliance with the relevant European standards EN 14995 or EN 13432. These, define the requirements for materials which can be called ‘compostable’. In the case of packaging, such claims are bound by legal definition under EN 13432. There are no known ‘oxo-degradable’ materials in the marketplace which fulfill either of these standards. Claims of compostability for such products are therefore wrong and untrustworthy. In Italy and Australia lawsuits resulted in fines for using misleading claims in the marketing of such products. Industry companies providing truly compostable plastic products will make use o
