Page 57 - Plastics News August 2024

FEATURE NEWS

“It’s also been shown that particles that are
smaller can be more toxic,” Brander says, point-
ing out that while biodegradable plastics may
become smaller faster, that isn’t necessarily a
good thing. Nanoplastics are “small enough to
cross the epithelial lining of the gut. They’re small
enough to get into the bloodstream if they’re in-
haled, and get in through [fish] gills, for example,
or in a terrestrial animal, through the lungs.”

Not all bioplastics are toxic. However, because
manufacturers keep their formulations secret, tions certifying their products through BPI pay
there’s no way for consumers to distinguish be- an annual membership fee that gives them a
tween harmless and harmful bio plastics.
voice on the organization’s standards and pro-
An industry sets its own standards cedures committee.

A burden on small businesses
Some U.S. states, including California, Washing-
ton and Colorado, require manufacturers to ad- Beyond Plastics notes that bioplastic foodware
here to ASTM standards for products marketed and packaging can cost anywhere from double
as compostable. In other states, Beyond Plastics to six times the price of conventional plastics,
reports “rampant greenwashing … Manufactur- putting a financial burden on restaurants try-
ers are free to label products as biodegradable ing to be more sustainable. The report, which is
or compostable without meeting any standards. aimed at both consumers and small businesses
Moreover, many develop lookalike products de- who buy compostable plastic packaging and
liberately intending to confuse consumers.” products like straws and takeout containers, in-

cludes a checklist to help restaurants and bars
Because the U.S. lacks federal standards, certi-
fication of compostable plastics is left to trade choose more environmentally friendly options.
associations or private organizations that rep- Recommendations include eliminating single-
resent bioplastics manufacturers, according to use plastic, swapping plastic for a reusable or
the report. In Europe, the certification program refillable system, or replacing plastics with more
run by TÜV Austria and DIN CERTCO is owned sustainable paper or cardboard products. Food
by the European Bioplastics Association, while businesses that currently use disposable plastic
the Australasian Bioplastics Association certifies products can seek out organizations that advise
products sold in Australia and New Zealand.
on waste reduction, and on local reuse networks
that take back reusable foodware, clean it, and
The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is
the United States’ main certifier of composta- redistribute it to businesses.
ble packaging; it has no independent scientists SOURCE - MONGABAY
or government officials on its board, but does
include employees of petrochemical companies
such as BASF and Eastman Chemical. Corpora-

August 2024 PLASTICS NEWS 59