Issue 03/2016

daily upated news at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
News
ABA requests compostable bags into
bag ban discussions
The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) has called for support of certified compostable bags as an alternative to single
use lightweight plastic bags.
The ABA welcomes discussions and the recent Australian Ministerial Roundtable regarding more states banning single use
conventional polyethylene plastic bags. With South Australia, the ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania having already banned
lightweight plastic bags, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are currently discussing their options. South Australia, the
Northern Territory, the ACT and Tasmania did not ban certified compostable shopping bags.
The ABA supports bans on conventional plastic bags. Conventional polyethylene plastic bags may seem useful for shopping
and the like, but they are not compostable, not biodegradable, are rarely recycled at end of life, instead ending up in landfill
or as unsightly litter. In a similar call to the one made by the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA), the ABA is
requesting to have certified compostable bags exempted from a ban on conventional polyethylene plastic bags.
In Australia approximately 14 million tonnes of organic waste is generated annually of which significant amount is food
waste. Organic waste is the second largest volume of waste generated by industry and households. Diverting organic waste
from landfills in Australia represents an immense opportunity. Used as a convenient way to capture food waste, certified
compostable bags can be disposed into green waste bins and sent to composting. Certified compostable bags are digested by
microorganisms in the compost, in exactly the same way as food waste. The compost can be used to improve agricultural soil
quality by returning carbon and other nutrients back into the soil.
Australian soils are generally carbon deficient and adding compost to these soils, solves several problems at the same
time-diverting food waste from landfill, emission reduction associated with reducing organic content in landfills and improved
agricultural soils with increased organic content.
Rowan Williams, President of the ABA explains, “Certified compostable means compostable and biodegradable. Collecting
food waste in the home in conventional plastic bags condemns the contents and the bag to landfill. Source separation of the
food waste into certified compostable bags will allow the local council, processor or organics recycler to know that the bag can
safely pass through their operation without having to be diverted to landfill. The bag and its contents will completely disappear
in a composting environment, within the composting process cycle. Conventional polyethylene bags, no matter what additives
are used which are claimed to cause biodegradation, will never achieve the required performance of these standards. Be safe,
be sure, be certified.”
It is important to understand that oxo-degradable, biodegradable and certified compostable are not the same thing. Unless
bags are Australian Standard AS 4736-2006 certified compostable or Australian Standard AS 5810-2010 certified compostable
they are not considered suitable for use in organics recycling. The ABA performs verification of claims made by individuals and
companies that wish to have their claims of compostable and biodegradable products, verified. MT
http://bit.ly/1Nwm7u0
Innovia Group sale of Cellophane
Innovia Group, the global leader in high-tech film products for industrial applications and banknotes, announced in mid April
an agreement to sell its Cellophane business and assets to Futamura Chemicals Co., Ltd. The deal is expected to complete on
or before 30 June, 2016. Based in Nagoya, Japan, Futamura is a leading manufacturer of plastic and cellulose films, principally
servicing the food packaging industry.
Following the sale, Innovia will continue to deepen its focus on its fast-growing and world-leading polymer bank note business
and on building on its market leading and differentiated double bubble biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films business.
Mark Robertshaw, Chief Executive of Innovia Group, said: “The sale of our Cellophane business is an important strategic
step for Innovia. Futamura is an excellent long term owner for Cellophane, with its core business focussed on cellulose and
plastic films.”
Yasuo Nagae, President of Futamura Chemical Co., Ltd, said: “The acquisition of the Innovia’s Cellophane business will
enhance our product range and presence across the globe. It supports our ambition to serve our key customers through local
manufacturing facilities offering the highest standards of delivery by experienced personnel. We look forward to welcoming
Innovia’s Cello employees into our family.” MT
www.futamura.co.jp/english
www.innoviafilms.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/16] Vol. 11 5