SOMETIMES THE LITTLE GUYS WIN

September 30th, 2010

Image by D Sharon Pruitt

You’ve probably noticed us blogging/talking/tweeting about SB 1454 recently– that’s the California Senate Bill that would have made it illegal for us to sell our biodegradable plastic trash and food bags in California. SB 1454 would have been great news for the big players in the corn plastic industry, effectively sidelining their competition in the state.

Well, corn cobs all over California did a little dance yesterday when they learned that SB 1454 was VETOED by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (Insert cheering sounds from corn cobs delighted by their newfound freedom)…Yes! We believe strongly that this bill, while well-intentioned, would not in fact have made green product labeling clearer to consumers, but rather would have crippled the numerous businesses like ours that are trying to utilize non-corn-plastic technology to solve the problem of forever-plastic. It ain’t all about the corn plastic, we say!

In his statement about the veto, the Governor expressed concern that SB 1454 would have had “unforeseen consequences” –by equating compost claims with biodegradability claims–two very different things. We most certainly agree.

At Green Genius, our mission is to reduce the amount of “forever plastic” cluttering up this Earth– and this bill sounded like it was environmentally-minded too. But the truth is, we need as many businesses and individuals as possible out there trying to solve the problem– now is not the time to squash innovation. So, way to go Arnold! And three cheers for innovation!

http://www.thegreengenius.com/blog/sometimes-the-little-guys-win

Comparison between EcoPure and other green plastic products (PLA & Oxo)

Please allow me to share with you the differences between starch resins (PLA, etc) and EcoPure.

EcoPure-PLA comparison

EcoPure does not affect the recycle stream.  PLA floats to the top and therefore contaminates recycle streams.   

PLA begins breaking down via heat. From the moment it is produced it is going to begin the break down process.  Also, often requires cold storage and transport. EcoPure has an indefinite shelf life.  It will not be affected by light, heat, moisture, mechanical-stress or temperature.  It will only begin biodegrading once a landfill (or environment with plastic eating microbes present).   

PLA also takes 30% more oil to produce than plastic itself.  

PLA requires 56 megajoules/kg of oil

PET requires 37 megajoules/kg of oil

Reference: How green are green plastics, Scientific American, Aug 2000

When companies work with PLA new machines must be purchased, because PLA cannot withstand high heat.  This is not the case with EcoPure; the machines companies are currently using will work with EcoPure.  When new machines are implemented with PLA the production also runs slower.  Time is money in the plastics industry so it’s often hard for companies to justify slower production.    

PLA focus's on compostability more than biodegradable.  PLA is often times more expensive to produce with than EcoPure itself.  At this point in time there are only 5 commercial compost facilities in the US that will accept bioplastics. Therefore almost all starch resins end up in landfills. These products degrade via light and heat so they will not degrade properly in a landfill environment.   

PLA and other starch and cellulose resins are often times made out of food materials; this uses up large amounts of important food-sources.

EcoPure-Oxo comparison

Following is a very interesting article that is a submission to the Scottish Parliament regarding misleading statements in reference to OXO-BIO Degradable material.   

Link: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/environment/inquiries/pb/BioBags_supp_evid.pdf

EcoPure is not the same as Oxo-Degradable.  Oxo-degradable products are “degradable” and may never fully disappear.

Oxo products are becoming less and less favorable and accepted almost daily. 

Following are some of the reasons:

Oxo products are often composed of heavy metals (some countries refer to them as light metals), which are very harmful for the environment.  Depending on the additive they basically use cadmium or cobalt to help disintegrate the plastic. 

EcoPure is Non-toxic and actually helps the environment.  The final product left behind with EcoPure is Humus and Methane (biomass and biogas). The humus can be used as new soil to grow plants in and the methane may be harvested into fuel.  

The current testing that has been done after oxidization of the final product shows that there are materials left that are benign to the environment.  With Oxo products - through the first process, which is considered to be Photodegredation or Oxidization is not biodegradation. Even after these parts Oxidize the remaining chemicals that cause this reaction are left in the environment, this is still not biodegradation. Many groups have done studies to show oxidized products remain, being reduced to smaller and smaller polymer forms, even though the microbes are secreting acids to reduce the total Molecular Weight of the polymer chain these products are still leaving the chain behind in the ground.   

Oxo products loose tensile strength and performance on the shelf.  They often begin degrading before the product life is through.  Special calculations for each product must be done to produce a product that will not begin biodegrading too soon.  Often times the product begins degradation sooner than anticipated. EcoPure will not be affected by light, heat, moisture, temperature or mechanical stress.  EcoPure has an indefinite shelf life and will not begin biodegrading until it is in an active microbial environment.  Durability testing has been performed on products made with EcoPure and the products made with our additive actually enhance durability.  Our product is fantastic for durable good applications as well as disposable.  It has even been run in durability tests with oxidizing agents and surfactants and there was no performance loss.  

Now many Oxo products are putting UV and heat inhibitors in them so they may have a longer shelf life.  This also poses problems.  For example say the shelf life is designed for 2 year of performance.  If this product ends up in a landfill (before the two year mark for UV inhibitors) it will remain indefinitely.  Also, Oxo products will not degrade anaerobically, so if these products end up in a landfill they will not break down, because there is no light, heat and oxygen to do so.   

The FTC and the EPA are cracking down on companies making green claims.  It is quite risky to advertise biodegradable when the product has no testing data to validate claims that it work in a landfill or compost facility.  Oxo product cannot claim or validate compostable claims or biodegradable claims. The only testing offered is internal accelerated microwave testing which shows product disintegration.

True Biodegradation is the secretion of acids, which break down the molecular structure and emit either Methane Gas or CO2 and leave behind highly nitrous soil. The entire mass must be broken down into these 3 things to be considered biodegradable. EcoPure is biodegradable.  We feel that EcoPure is the safest and best product one the market.  Bio-Tec Environmental developed a product that will help companies comply with environmental standards and help them make money turn.  

Following is how EcoPure biodegrades:

When plastic is made the nutrients are extracted making the product unable to biodegrade.  Implementing EcoPure into the plastic is adding the nutrients back in that allow it to biodegrade in the environment, EcoPure is a master batch implemented in to the plastic during the melting phase; the same as colorant would be.  It expands the molecular structure in such a way that the nutrients are added back in to the plastic.  This allows the microbes to colonize on the plastic.  The microbes do something called quorum sensing that sends out signals for other microbes to join in on the plastic feast.  The polymer chain is scissored by the microbes and the plastic is broken down.  The plastic also undergoes molecular change and the end result is biomass (highly nutritious soil) and biogas (Co2 in aerobic conditions, and methane in anaerobic conditions).


Links regarding Oxo claims:

“Great Scott!” – Industry Association Chair Admits Oxobiodegradables “not for landfilling”

http://www.greenwashingspy.com/?p=669

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Oxobiodegradable Plastic
http://www.teamburg.de/bioplastics/download/Pages_30-31_from_bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0906.pdf

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POSITION PAPER ON OXO-BIODEGRADABLES AND OTHER DEGRADABLE ADDITIVES

Society of the Plastics Industry

Bioplastics Council

January 2010

http://spi.files.cms-plus.com/about/BPC/SPI%20Bioplastic%20Council%20Bioplastics%20Position%20Paper%20on%20OXO-Biodegradable%20Plastic-FINAL.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Q: Is EcoPure^TM food safe?

A: Yes - As long as the same product without our additive complies with FDA and EEC for direct food contact.

Q: What are the storage conditions for EcoPure^TM additive once the bag is opened?

A: Once the bag is opened we ask that it be resealed and stored in a dry place.  EcoPure^TM is only slightly hygroscopic.

Q: What will be the result when the dosage of EcoPure^TM is less than 0.7% is blended with plastic? Will the plastic still biodegrade even though it is less than the prescribed level of 0.7%?

A: When you blend less than the .7% dosage with plastic you get little or no biodegradation.  That is why the .7 to 4% range is delineated.

Q: What is the best/minimum amount of EcoPure^TM for the PET bottle? Can you give us the exact amount? Or is there any table showings the correlation between the amount of EcoPure^TM to the thickness of the bottle and types of material?

A:  EcoPure G2^TM is used for PET and for bottles the lowest dosage is used, 1.5% by weight (one and one half percent).

Q: Do we need to preheat/dry the additives before putting into the machine? If yes, how long? Any pretreatment needed?

A: There is no need to dry or pre-heat the additive unless it has become wet through accident.  Resealing the open bags between uses is sufficient.

Q: EVA as the carrier resin of the additive, can it mix with PET, will it affect the quality of the PET?

A:  EcoPure G2^TM uses PET as the carrier resin.

Q: What is the max temp the additive can withstand?

A: The upper end of the temperature envelope for EcoPure^TM is 600 degrees F.

Q: We found that when we add the additives to the resins and colorings, it will make the end product paler? Is it normal?

A: As the pellets are a light color, that is possible if you are extruding a dark colored resin.

Q: Could the edited bottles still be recycled? The recycled bottles still have biodegradation power?

A: We have found no problem with the recycling process with EcoPure^TM additive in the resin.  Yes, if the quality control is such that you know the dosage of the recycled product, EcoPure^TM added resins maintain the biodegradability.

Q: Oxygen barrier? Is it still Oxygen proof? EVA as resin carrier might impair the O2 barrier properties?

A: The EcoPure^TM and EcoPure G2^TM both maintain the oxygen barrier if the original resin has oxygen barrier properties.

Q: Crystallization neck? Suitable for hot filling?

A: We have sold EcoPure^TM to hot filled products manufacturers and we have not encountered any problems thus far.

Q: What percentage of EcoPure^TM did ENSO Bottles, LLC add to the bottle?
 

A: Enso Bottles, LLC utilizes the minimum dosage on their PET bottles.

Q: How many years does it actually take for plastics to biodegrade?

A: A typical PET water bottle will sit for 800 years in an open-air environment before degrading completely.  Dosed with EcoPure^TM the same bottle will biodegrade in 1 to 5 years, depending on the landfill condition.  

Q: Is there any logo specially made for the clients to distinguish the EcoPure^TM bottle from the ordinary one? How is the symbol like?

A: There is an EcoPure^TM logo on the bottle label. (See our photo) 

Q: Any plan for getting certification from EN or other international bodies?

A: We are always examining the required testing or submittals for any certification, and the associated costs and advantage to having them. We are pursuing several now including the APR certification.

Q: Does oxygen/UV/moisture affect the additives during storage? Are there any special storage conditions?

A: No special storage conditions are required.  A cool, dry place is best but definitely reseal the bag between uses and try to turn the stock every six months.

Q: Which grade of EcoPure^TM is used with OPS (Oriented Polystyrene)? 


A: On OPS, EcoPure^TM is used.

Q: Why is EVA used as the carrier for EcoPure^TM?

A: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) was chosen as the carrier for EcoPure^TM as it has a specific weight that is approximately in the center of the polymer range and it's attributes are similar to so many other polymers.

Q: Will active microbes in food (meat, cheese etc) or lawn care products start the biodegradation process in normal storage conditions such as warehouse or store shelf?

A: No. EcoPure^TM attracts oleophilic bacteria (oil eating bacteria) that are present in landfills. The active microbes in food or dairy products or lawn care products are not oleophilic and not the "super" colony of microbes you find in landfills, composting sites or water sludge plants.

Q: Are the additives' ingredients harmful to people or to the environment?

A: No. Our additive is 100% organic and is in compliance with FDA standards for contact with food.

Please feel free to send us an email of any questions that you may have regarding our product to: enquiry@bio-tec.asia