Small quantities of degradable plastic films as low as 2 percent can cause “significant, detrimental impacts” to the quality of plastics recyclates, according to a new peer-reviewed industry study.<\/p>\n
The findings of the study, commissioned by European Plastics Converters (EuPC), the Brussels-based trade body, are likely to reignite the debate surrounding the presence of bio-degradable plastics in the recycling stream.<\/p>\n
EuPC said it had commissioned independent industrial tests which had been conducted by Wolfgang Stadlbauer of the Transfer Centre for Polymer Technology in Austria.<\/p>\n
Tests focused on four different mixtures of degradable plastic bags and one virgin LDPE recycling material and were conducted during a six month period, during which more than 9.45 tonnes of plastic carrier bags were processed and more than 3,700 measurements were taken, EuPc said.<\/p>\n
“Although all the materials could be processed, the results show that even in quantities as low as 2 percent, degradable plastic films cause significant, detrimental impacts to the quality of plastic recyclates.<\/p>\n
“These impacts are not only detrimental in terms of mechanical properties of the recycled material, but also involve visual impacts on the newly produced film,” EuPc said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The Brussels organization has subsequently called on legislators and waste management authorities across the European Union to push for increased separation and collection of degradable plastics.<\/p>\n
Alexander Dangis, EuPc’s managing director, said: “Over the past years, there has been considerable concern in Europe surrounding the effects of bio-degradable plastics on recycling streams.<\/p>\n
“These test results now prove that separate collection of degradable plastic products is needed in Europe if we want to further develop recycling streams and work towards a circular economy.”<\/p>\n
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