New SPI Bioplastics Division report defines bioplastics, explores the growing field of bioplastics and demonstrates how material innovation can offer environmental advantages

As bioplastics become more popular and an emerging material of choice, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association’s SPI Bioplastics Division released a new report today, Bioplastics Simplified: Attributes of Biobased and Biodegradable Products, which explains bioplastics in simple terms so that people can understand their benefits. The SPI Bioplastics Division defines “bioplastics” as “partially or fully biobased and/or biodegradable.”¹

“We wanted to simply explain bioplastics and showcase how bioplastics support the plastic industry’s focus and commitment to reduce waste and create products that are sustainable,” said Patrick Krieger, assistant director of regulatory & technical affairs at SPI. “With our members and consumers in mind, we wanted to clarify how these innovative materials are composed, and highlight their benefits to the environment.”

This report also helps educate consumers on the meaning behind company-specific claims that their products include biobased content, or are biodegradable. Under U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, companies that make these claims must ensure they have competent and reliable scientific evidence for the origin or degradability claims for their products.

Biobased bioplastics can have numerous environmental benefits, including the reduction of fossil fuel usage, potential reduction of carbon footprint and/or reduction of global warming potential. Through composting, anaerobic digestion, and marine and soil environments, biodegradable bioplastics completely degrade, through biological action, into biomass, carbon dioxide or methane, and water. The benefits of biobased and biodegradable plastics reinforce the plastics industry’s commitment to creating sustainable materials.

¹ Additional information on the Bioplastics Industry Overview Guide can be found at spi.plasticsindustry.org/productdetails/?id=5dd835f6-2227-e511-93fb-00155dc2234b

About SPI

Founded in 1937, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes growth in the $427 billion U.S. plastics industry. Representing nearly one million American workers in the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry, SPI delivers legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, industry promotion and the fostering of business relationships and zero waste strategies. SPI also owns and produces the international NPE trade show. All profits from NPE are reinvested into SPI’s industry services.

“From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors and brand owners, SPI is proud to represent all facets of the U.S. plastics industry,” said William R. Carteaux, president and CEO, SPI. “Our most recent economic reports show that the plastics industry as a whole is resilient, and has come through the recession significantly better than other U.S. manufacturing sectors.”

Contact

Ashley Stoney
phone: (202) 974-5210
email: AStoney@plasticsindustry.org

Source

SPI, press release, 2016-04-01.

Supplier

Society of the Plastics Industry Inc (SPI)

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