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Degradable Plastics
Degradable Plastics are likely to shape the future of the plastics industry internationally.
In anticipation of the increasing interest in degradable plastics, Plastics New Zealand held an excellent seminar on the topic.
At the seminar the audience heard about many of the issues surrounding degradable (including biodegradable) plastics.
These key issues were identified as: education, standards, identification, collection and recycling infrastructure, and most importantly communication between and among the many stakeholders.
BIO PLASTICS
Ket Bradshaw, Environmental Manager, Plastics NZ hosted a successful seminar on bio plastics at the Waste Management Institute.
With the upcoming use of polylactic acid (PLA), a bio plastic made from dextrose (derived from corn or other biomass), and other biodegradable and degradable plastics in packaging applications such as water bottles and fruit and produce trays, these products will increasingly enter both the recycling and composting systems in New Zealand and Australia.
During the panel discussion the producers and converters of bio plastics talked with the recyclers and composters about the impact of these new materials as they enter the marketplace and how best to cater for the changes that will need to take place. A number of issues were raised such as the requirement for compost to breakdown in 30 days, not 90 days as required by some international standards. An expert composter will conduct trials on PLA.
Plastics NZ thanks the panellists for their contribution:
Glenn Johnston, Director Global Regulatory Affairs, NatureWorksLLC
(manufacturers of polylactic acid - PLA)
Ron Starnes, General Manager, Technology & Innovation, Alto Packaging Ltd
Dave Perkins, General Manager, Recycle New Zealand
Sarah Gordon, Recycling Operators of New Zealand
Plastics NZ has resolved to investigate the development of a NZ Standard, a labeling system and Code of Practice for degradable plastics, and will work with the Packaging Accord, the Australian Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA), RONZ, composters and the Ministry for the Environment. A small group has met twice during the year and will continue to work on developing a framework to assist with the responsible use of degradable and bio based plastics.
For further information contact Ket Bradshaw - Plastics New Zealand - ket@plastics.org.nz
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