Biodegradable additives are often a hidden invisible hazard in plastic packaging, but one whose negative effects on the environment can be severe and long-lasting. The data on the use of biodegradation additives in plastic products show that these additives (which may include catalytic metal compounds, pro-oxidant chemicals, natural products, enzymes, or microorganisms) influence the mechanism of plastic degradation by changing the chemical and/or physical properties of the plastics to increase the rate of degradation. Circularity of Materials Using degradation processes to eliminate plastics, which are manufactured from limited resources, removes these valuable materials from the circular economy where they could be recycled and reused. A critical challenge facing the packaging industry is demonstrating the circularity of materials that are complex and difficult to recycle. Sealed Air is making global investments to change the recycling paradigm and is supporting the advancement of solutions to recover materials that provide value and serve an essential purpose. 
Worldwide Bans on Biodegradable Additives in Plastic Packaging
With growing awareness of the harmful effects of bio-additives in plastic packaging, many countries and states have either banned or proposed bans on oxo-degradable or degradable additives in plastics. Here are some examples:
European Union: In 2019, the European Union implemented a ban on oxo-degradable plastics, including packaging, bags, and other plastic products.
United Kingdom: The UK implemented a ban on oxo-degradable plastics in 2020, with the ban covering all products made from oxo-degradable plastics, including packaging, bags, and other plastic products.
France: France was one of the first countries to ban oxo-degradable plastics in 2017, with the ban covering all products made from oxo-degradable plastics, including packaging, bags, and other plastic products.
Italy: Italy implemented a ban on oxo-degradable plastics in 2020, with the ban covering all products made from oxo-degradable plastics, including packaging, bags, and other plastic products.
California, United States: In 2020, California implemented a ban on the sale and distribution of any plastic products containing oxo-degradable additives, including packaging, bags, and other plastic products.
New York, United States: In 2021, New York proposed a bill that would ban the sale and distribution of any plastic products containing oxo-degradable additives, including packaging, bags, and other plastic products.
Source: European Commission, UK Plastics Pact, CalRecycle, California Legislation
Claiming Biodegradable? India's Biodegradability Laws and Regulations
Biodegradable plastics as per Rule 3 (ac) of PWM Rules is “plastics, other than compostable plastics, which undergoes degradation by biological processes under ambient environment (terrestrial or in water) conditions, without leaving any micro plastics, or visible, or distinguishable or toxic residue, which has adverse environment impacts, adhering to laid down standards of Bureau of Indian Standards and certified by the Central Pollution Control Board”
Central PWM Rules
Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Bureau of Indian Standards
In addition, biodegradable additives don’t enable compostability, which results in organic matter that improves the soil. While all compostable products are biodegradable, not all biodegradable products are compostable. The main differences are the types of material chemistry, how the materials decompose, and the residual elements after decomposition. Compostable products are typically manufactured from plant-based materials that degrade within days to months. Sealed Air is working to develop more compostable packaging solutions as part of its sustainable portfolio.
Learn more about this approach in our Global Impact Report.
|
Biodegradable additives are often a hidden invisible hazard in plastic packaging, but one whose negative effects on the environment can be severe and long-lasting. The data on the use of biodegradation additives in plastic products show that these additives (which may include catalytic metal compounds, pro-oxidant chemicals, natural products, enzymes, or microorganisms) influence the mechanism of plastic degradation by changing the chemical and/or physical properties of the plastics to increase the rate of degradation. |
||
|
||
|
Negative effects may include: |
||
|
Microplastics: |
Chemical pollution: Biodegradation of packaging in marine or land environments, with or without oxygen, can potentially increase global warming and/or chemical pollution. |
Greenhouse gas emissions: The biodegradation of plastics releases fossil carbon into the atmosphere, creating harmful greenhouse gas emissions such as methane. |
|
In addition, biodegradable additives don’t enable compostability, which results in organic matter that improves the soil. While all compostable products are biodegradable, not all biodegradable products are compostable. The main differences are the types of material chemistry, how the materials decompose, and the residual elements after decomposition. Compostable products are typically manufactured from plant-based materials that degrade within days to months. Sealed Air is working to develop more compostable packaging solutions as part of its sustainable portfolio. |
||
|
Circularity of Materials Using degradation processes to eliminate plastics, which are manufactured from limited resources, removes these valuable materials from the circular economy where they could be recycled and reused. A critical challenge facing the packaging industry is demonstrating the circularity of materials that are complex and difficult to recycle. Sealed Air is making global investments to change the recycling paradigm and is supporting the advancement of solutions to recover materials that provide value and serve an essential purpose. Learn more about this approach in our Global Impact Report. |
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem!
Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit odit aut fugit!
Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam!
"Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio!"
"Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi."
"Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis!"