There are many different kinds of plastics more emerging. Just like the wild claims about plastic degradation. If ever there was a time to read the fine print, it's right here. In the end however, the bottom plastic decomposition line is pretty much summarised in this info-graphic made by BioBag Australia, who are the only manufacturer (but not the only seller) of compostable plastics in Australia. The best & safest plastic to buy is one that is compostable at home in a compost bin or organics recycle bin. True to 'confusing marketing', you will see some commentators and plastics makers or sellers saying that compostable plastic isn't so good because not everyone has a compost bin. Given that compostable plastic breaks down in exactly the same way as food and can be eaten by worms, that's kind of an odd argument.
The short answer is NO - not unless the label specifically says it is biodegradable AND compostable. Plastic that is degradable, biodegradable, oxo degradable, all leave microplastic pollution behind. These plastics do break down, but just into smaller pieces. It does not matter if these plastics are made from corn or oil or recycled plastic. If they are not compostable, they do not return to the earth as elements in nature, broken down by microorganisms.
Some plastic bags labelled ‘green and degradable’ or ‘naturally degradable’ contain an additive which makes them break down faster into smaller fragments of microplastics. Others proclaim their corn heritage, but not their after life.
If you are a plastics user, there are plenty of easy swaps to reduce traditional plastic and still maintain the same home standards. Here are some everyday swaps for popular plastic products you probably already use.
Compostable bags are just as sound as non compostable and will break down easily in compost or in landfill. Choosing a bin liner made from compostable polymers is better for the planet because it leaves no microplastics or toxic residues behind.
We are a pet loving society and according to the RSPCA, there are an estimated 4.2 million dogs in Australia. Imagine if each of those dogs is walked once a day and their responsible owner picked up after them with a bag… that is over 1.5 billion bags used every year!
It doesn’t make sense to put poo into a plastic bag as that preserves it for eternity! When you use a compostable BioBag for dog waste it breaks down into non-toxic components that are easily composted along with organic waste. (That would be the poop!)
Up to 10 million ziplock bags are sent to landfill each year from schools in South Australia alone and that's how resealable BioBags became the first of their kind in the Aussie market. The whole bag can go into a green organics bin which is available in SA, without removing the ziplock when you're finished using them.
BioBags is one of several suppliers of compostable bags, wraps and film that don't need to be heated to high temperatures to break down. If it doesn’t make it into a compost bin or organics bin, a compostable bag will still break down anywhere there is micro-organisms and oxygen.
It’s easy to label something ‘degradable’ or ‘biodegradable’ but these terms don’t mean anything unless proven by a performance standard like the Australian Standard AS4736 for certified compostable products. Only with this certification can the consumer can be sure the product will biodegrade in an environment in which microorganisms are active, including the soil and the sea. No oxo-degradable or other fragmentable plastics which incorporate additives into standard plastics have met the requirements of Australian standards or similar global standards. You can learn more about this on our blog https://biobagworld.com.au/misleading-labelling/misleading-degradable-and-biodegradable-plastic-bags/ Friday, 26 October 2018
The way different plastics biodegrade or compost is confusing and there are also a number of misleading claims being made. Biobag have assured us that 100% of their product is not plastic and is in fact a compostable material (Starch based not PLA). Biobag have also said, "To be labelled compostable it must be tested to an international standard whether that is AS4736 Australia, EN13232 (Europe) or D6400 USA. Our bags are tested to these standards and we can assure you they break down to Humus, Carbon Dioxide & Water." Friday, 26 October 2018