Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics

What ingredients do you use to make degradable bags?

We use an oxo-biodegradable additive. The additive is blended into our plastic during the extrusion process.

Are oxo-biodegradable plastic bags recyclable?

Yes, oxo-biodegradable plastic bags are recyclable provided they have not degraded substantially.

What happens to oxo-biodegradable plastic in a landfill?

Microorganisms present in a landfill will aid in the degradation process provided sufficient oxygen is present.

Do oxo-biodegradable plastic bags contain cornstarch?

No, the oxo-biodegradable additive we use is a major advance over cornstarch based degradable additives.

Degradable plastic using cornstarch based additives possess many undesirable properties. Specifically, plastic incorporating cornstarch based additives cannot be recycled and contaminate the recycling process. They may also emit methane when degrading. Oxo-biodegradable plastics can be recycled along with regular plastic and do not emit methane.

Do oxo-biodegradable plastic bags feel different?

No, you will not notice a difference between oxo-biodegradable and regular plastic bags.

Are oxo-biodegradable bags as durable as regular plastic?

Yes, during their useful life oxo-biodegradable plastic bags are the same as regular plastic bags. You will not notice a difference until the bag has been exposed to UV light or heat for prolonged periods of time.

What is the shelf life for your degradable plastic bags?

It takes about 2 years of exposure to one or more degradation promoters (sunlight, heat, microorganisms) for our bags to degrade. If the bags are kept inside they will receive minimal or no exposure and will last much longer. It’s likely they will remain usable for 5+ years if stored inside. You can think of them like paper bags. You don’t see a paper bag degrade in your house, but when they become litter they degrade at a much faster rate.

Will oxo-biodegradation emit methane?

No, unlike other degradation processes oxo-biodegradation will not emit methane.

Why does it take 2 years for the bags to degrade?

Oxo-biodegradable plastic degrades due to exposure to the elements (sunlight, heat, and microorgranisms). Two years is an estimation based on the average conditions. The actual amount of time required to degrade a bag will be longer or shorter depending on the amount of exposure.

We believe this is an optimal situation. Oxo-biogradable plastic bags degrade fastest in the exact situation we want them to: when they become litter.

Do you have any scientific literature to support your claims?

Yes, we have a collection of literature on oxo-biodegradable plastic.