Plastic bag
A team of researchers from one of France's leading research facilities have challenged the EU over what it perceives to be a lack of understanding of oxo-biodegradable plastics.
In a report by the National Centre for the Evaluation of Photoprotection (CNEP) at Blaise Pascal University, Clermont Ferrand, interpereted and circulated by the Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics Association, the experts take issue with what they claim is misinformation.
They singled out "not very expert reports" and "erroneous information" used in the study and stated the field of oxo-biodegradation is an area of real potential for the protection of the environment.
The team said oxo-biodegradable research and development must continue. Chairman of the Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics Association Michael Stephen commented: "This briefing paper reaffirms what we have been saying for some time. The bioplastics lobby have been indulging in a well-funded lobbying campaign of institutions like the European Parliament and have presented dubious evidence as well as outright disinformation. They have for example created a fictitious material called 'oxo-fragmentable plastic' which is not known to science and for which there is accordingly no official definition.
“Oxo-biodegradable plastic is important for Europe since it is the only plastic offering complete, non-toxic degradability to a pre-set approximate timescale, and effective on land or in water."
"This form of plastic was developed to solve the problem of plastic waste in the environment, which if not collected would lie or float around for decades. Its biodegradability and its relatively short lifespan ensure that it will not be around for very long. What will European countries do without it? You cannot collect all the plastic waste, but if all the plastic had been made with oxo-biodegradable technology there would be no ocean garbage patches."
To view a copy of the Blaise Pascal team's findings in the original French, click to http://www.cnep-ubp.com/faut-il-que-la-desinformation-sur-les-materiaux-oxobiodegradables-perdure/