Oxo-biodegradable Plastic

Plastic that degrades by a process of oxo-degradation. Pro-degradant is added during the manufacturing process and so changes the behaviour of the plastic effectively giving it a set lifespan which is controlled by the additive composition. Used with increasing frequency in packaging, the life of products can be as little as a few months or as much as a few years. There is no increase in cost in producing this type of plastic and it breaks down into CO2, water and humus but does not leave fragments of petro-polymers in the soil.

Unlike PVC oxo-biodegradable plastics do not contain organo-chlorine nor do the polymers contain PCB's, emit methane or nitrous oxide even under anaerobic conditions. Where air is present oxo-biodegradable plastics will degrade but whilst they can be pre-programmed to degrade, the actual rate at which degradation occurs cannot be controlled. It is possible to recycle oxo-biodegradable plastics and they can also be made from recyclate. They are also suitable for energy from waste disposal (incineration).

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