Page 44 - Plastics News May 2024

FEATURE NEWS

ple exceptions in the form of bilateral the only U.S.-to-Malaysia scrap plastic classified. But it also could theoretical-
agreements between the U.S. and Can- shipments that would be allowed are ly include clean loads of polypropylene
ada and the U.S. and Mexico, allowing loads consisting of “almost exclusive- or ABS, which would be allowed under
for mixed plastic trade between those ly” one polymer, meaning sorted loads Basel, so it’s unclear how much of that
countries. Those arrangements sug- with virtually no contamination. 21% is in compliance with or in viola-
gest why Canada and Mexico are by far Of the 25.0 million pounds of scrap tion of Basel rules.
the largest trading partners for scrap plastic the U.S. shipped to Malaysia The U.S. EPA has a detailed breakdown
plastic these days. in the first quarter of 2024, 49% was of how the Basel rules for scrap plastic

But the exports to Malaysia, for exam- classified as polyethylene, 28% was apply to U.S. exporters, and the U.S.
ple, raise questions. classified as PET, and 2% was classi- Department of State maintains a list of
fied as PVC. the U.S. bilateral agreements that su-
The U.S. and Malaysia do not have a
bilateral agreement that allows for U.S. The remaining 21% were classified as persede Basel.
exports of Basel-covered material into “other” plastics, a catch-all category Source – Resource Recycling
Malaysia. So, under Basel language, that is typically how mixed plastics are

What Role Does Bioplastics Certification Play in Promoting Sus-

tainability?

cal role in promoting sustainability
through several key aspects. Firstly,
certification processes involve thor-
ough environmental impact assess-
ments that evaluate the entire lifecycle
of bioplastics, starting from raw ma-
terial sourcing to disposal. This scru-
tiny ensures that bioplastics maintain
a minimal ecological footprint, con-
tributing positively to environmental
conservation efforts. Secondly, certi-
fication instills consumer confidence
by providing a seal of approval for
certified bioplastics. This seal signifies
that the products meet stringent eco-
friendly criteria, thereby fostering trust
and confidence among consumers re-
garding their environmental attributes.

Thirdly, certification is often a pre-
Introduction: tion. Certification plays a crucial role in requisite for market access in many
verifying their eco-credentials and pro-
Bioplastics have emerged industries and markets. Mandated cer-
as a promising alternative moting sustainable practices. In this tification opens doors to wider market
to traditional plastics, of- article, we delve into the significance acceptance and opportunities, driving
fering eco-friendly solutions to reduce of bioplastics certification in driving the adoption of sustainable practices in
environmental impact. However, en- environmental sustainability. manufacturing and consumption.
suring the sustainability of bioplastics Why Bioplastics Certification Matters? Moreover, certifications ensure regu-
requires more than just their produc- Bioplastics certification plays a criti- latory compliance, ensuring that bio-

44 46 PL MA MAY 2024 PLASTICS NEWS 45
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