There is some concern that the use of biodegradable additives to normally nondegradable plastic bags is sending the wrong message to the general public. One view is that these plastics, widely used in food and retail packaging, are highly recyclable, and recycling is where the main emphasis should be. Degradable additives are viewed by some as encouraging, rather than discouraging, society’s throw-away mentality. Plastic bags, bottles, and other containers are easy to recycle and have little environmental impact if they are properly recycled. We have said that the advantages of recyclable plastic bags far outweigh the disadvantages, if they are indeed recycled. However, in the event that plastic packaging lands in the streets, woods, or streams, should it be allowed to degrade (like its paper counterparts)? Do the additives used to make plastics degradable cause problems when recycled?
Biodegradable bags: A real solution or more greenwashing?
Aug 3, 2009
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