A cost effective solution to the problem of plastic litter

Flexible Laminates are optimum packaging for many food and non-food products (like chips, snack foods, biscuits, confectionery, tea, sugar, rice, edible oil, milk, shampoo, auto spares, etc.). Widespread usage of flexible plastic packaging and the litter resulting from careless disposal; absence of efficient collection and plastic waste management system have all together made plastic packaging the major villain of our society. Since, currently, most plastic packaging is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable; careless disposal of post-consumer packaging waste creates a tremendous amount of litter, which can last for many years in the environment. This problem is endemic to many Asian and African countries, apart from India. Therefore, tackling the issue of plastic packaging litter is becoming an important agenda for FMCG companies, State Government, Central Government, Government bodies and NGOs. The best part of Oxo-Biodegradable Technology for flexible packaging is that 'Oxo-Biodegradable' plastics can be recycled or incinerated, if waste is collected at the manufacturing stage. However, if they are disposed of irresponsibly, making collection difficult, then they will oxo-degrade and biodegrade, leaving no harmful residues. Exposure to sunlight and heat accelerates degradation, but the process of oxo-biodegradation, once initiated, continues even in the absence of light, so long as oxygen is present. Estimated increase in cost of a flexible laminate. is only about 10%. Conventional polymers like Polyethylene, Polypropylene or Polyester etc. can be used to make 'Oxo-Biodegradable' grade of films, on existing equipment, by adding usually 1% oxo-biodegradable additive. Oxo-Biodegradable plastics are proven to be food grade, meeting FDA and EC requirements, and can be tested as per ASTM 6954-04, SPCR 141, XP T 54-980-1, BS 8472 etc. Wells Plastics Ltd., a 30 years old British manufacturer is the developer, owner and manufacturer of Reverte ™ apart from various specialized master batches for the film and laminate extrusion industry. Oxo-biodegradable HDPE Bags, LDPE bags, PP bags, Agricultural Mulch film, etc. made with Reverte ™ have been in use for many years; after completing years of development work, Wells Plastics Ltd., is now offering a new grade of Reverte ™ for producing Oxo-biodegradable PET film. Since, most of plastic flexible packaging in India has a layer of PET or MET PET film, this new development is expected to revolutionise the fight against plastic flexible packaging litter. Recently, Wells Plastics have completed testing of multilayer laminates made of PET, BOPP, MET PET, MET BOPP, PE films incorporating Reverte ™ in all the layers and it has now been well proven without doubt that multilayer films/packaging produced will oxo-biodegrade in the open environment, as found in typical litter conditions; without the need for special 'composting conditions'. Also oxo-biodegradable flexible laminates have been tested and are found to give adequate shelf life, even when the packaged products are displayed in the open, with exposure to sunlight/UV. In UAE, the Federal standards body, Emirates Standards and Metrology Authority ( ESMA) has developed UAE.S 5009- 2009, 'Standard for Oxo-Biodegradable bags and disposable plastics packaging'; and has already legislated for mandatory usage of 'Oxo-Biodegradable' bags and disposable packaging, such as shrink films, Stretch Films, Bubble Wrap, Bread bags etc., wef January 1, 2013.