oxo-biodegradable
Oxo-Biodegradable is often mistaken as being the same as biodegradable. The product is made of petroleum based plastics, and small amounts of metal salts are added to it to start the degradation. This speeds up the process which results in them breaking down to the size of micro plastics. The degradation process includes the reaction of the plastic with oxygen.
Benefits & Considerations
- Shortens degradation from hundreds of years to months/years
- Same physical properties as plastic
- Reduces amount of emissions during the manufacturing process (normal plastic manufacturing 4 tonnes of greenhouse emissions, Oxo biodegradable 0.8 tonnes of carbon)
- Contamination risk of mixing with non-biodegradable plastics
- Will not break down in landfill due to lack of oxygen
- Breaks down to the size of micro plastics which is causing the problems in our waste stream
waste processing
composting
Commercial or industrial composting is a large scale composting which is designed to handle a very high volume of organic waste. For packaging products to be accepted by these facilities they must have the correct certification.
recycling
Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction. Many packaging products can be recycled if disposed of in the correct way. Currently 33% of waste gets recycled.
landfill
Landfill is a site of the disposal of waste material by burial. 55% of waste items are landing up here.
incineration
A waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste material. Currently 12.5% of waste goes to incinerators.