Recyclers warn against oxo-degradable additives

After The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) call

The European Plastics Recyclers Association (EuPR) is urging manufacturers to exercise caution if using oxo-degradable additives, warning that they have the potential to do more harm to the environment than good.

EuPR says it has seen no proof that oxo-degradable additives help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, public misconception about the recyclability of these materials means that a large number of additives will end up in general litter.

“The public attention will be diverted from recycling by thinking ‘it will degrade by itself’,” says the trade body. “This thinking will damage the recycling rates achieved after decades of efforts from industry, authorities and the population.”

EuPR also compares plastics to an ‘energy bank’, as energy stored in the plastic by polymerisation can be reused through recycling. However, the presence of oxo-degradable additives in the plastic puts this at risk, claims the group.

“It is an economic and environmental nonsense to destroy this value,” says the group. “Moreover, it is the most unsustainable – together with landfill – way to use the valuable oil transformed in plastic.”

Plastics manufacturers should therefore “be watchful” when considering the use of oxo degradable additives, says EuPR.

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