'Greener' plastic bags are misleading
Source: Agencies |
March 13, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PLASTIC bags advertised as degradable and sold in many British supermarkets may not be as environmentally friendly as thought, according to a study.
Such bags usually use "oxo-degradable" plastics which include additives to make them degrade faster.
The study said these plastics have an uncertain impact on the natural environment and are neither suitable for conventional recycling methods, because of the chemical additives, nor for composting.
"As these plastics cannot be composted, the term 'biodegradable' can cause confusion," said Environment Minister Dan Norris. "We hope this research will discourage manufacturers and retailers from claiming that these materials are better for the environment than conventional plastics," he added.
The study was carried out by Loughborough University and funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Such bags usually use "oxo-degradable" plastics which include additives to make them degrade faster.
The study said these plastics have an uncertain impact on the natural environment and are neither suitable for conventional recycling methods, because of the chemical additives, nor for composting.
"As these plastics cannot be composted, the term 'biodegradable' can cause confusion," said Environment Minister Dan Norris. "We hope this research will discourage manufacturers and retailers from claiming that these materials are better for the environment than conventional plastics," he added.
The study was carried out by Loughborough University and funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
