Issue 03/2016
bioplasticsMAGAZINE_1603
bioplasticsMAGAZINE_1603
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daily upated news at<br />
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
News<br />
ABA requests compostable bags into<br />
bag ban discussions<br />
The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) has called for support of certified compostable bags as an alternative to single<br />
use lightweight plastic bags.<br />
The ABA welcomes discussions and the recent Australian Ministerial Roundtable regarding more states banning single use<br />
conventional polyethylene plastic bags. With South Australia, the ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania having already banned<br />
lightweight plastic bags, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are currently discussing their options. South Australia, the<br />
Northern Territory, the ACT and Tasmania did not ban certified compostable shopping bags.<br />
The ABA supports bans on conventional plastic bags. Conventional polyethylene plastic bags may seem useful for shopping<br />
and the like, but they are not compostable, not biodegradable, are rarely recycled at end of life, instead ending up in landfill<br />
or as unsightly litter. In a similar call to the one made by the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA), the ABA is<br />
requesting to have certified compostable bags exempted from a ban on conventional polyethylene plastic bags.<br />
In Australia approximately 14 million tonnes of organic waste is generated annually of which significant amount is food<br />
waste. Organic waste is the second largest volume of waste generated by industry and households. Diverting organic waste<br />
from landfills in Australia represents an immense opportunity. Used as a convenient way to capture food waste, certified<br />
compostable bags can be disposed into green waste bins and sent to composting. Certified compostable bags are digested by<br />
microorganisms in the compost, in exactly the same way as food waste. The compost can be used to improve agricultural soil<br />
quality by returning carbon and other nutrients back into the soil.<br />
Australian soils are generally carbon deficient and adding compost to these soils, solves several problems at the same<br />
time-diverting food waste from landfill, emission reduction associated with reducing organic content in landfills and improved<br />
agricultural soils with increased organic content.<br />
Rowan Williams, President of the ABA explains, “Certified compostable means compostable and biodegradable. Collecting<br />
food waste in the home in conventional plastic bags condemns the contents and the bag to landfill. Source separation of the<br />
food waste into certified compostable bags will allow the local council, processor or organics recycler to know that the bag can<br />
safely pass through their operation without having to be diverted to landfill. The bag and its contents will completely disappear<br />
in a composting environment, within the composting process cycle. Conventional polyethylene bags, no matter what additives<br />
are used which are claimed to cause biodegradation, will never achieve the required performance of these standards. Be safe,<br />
be sure, be certified.”<br />
It is important to understand that oxo-degradable, biodegradable and certified compostable are not the same thing. Unless<br />
bags are Australian Standard AS 4736-2006 certified compostable or Australian Standard AS 5810-2010 certified compostable<br />
they are not considered suitable for use in organics recycling. The ABA performs verification of claims made by individuals and<br />
companies that wish to have their claims of compostable and biodegradable products, verified. MT<br />
http://bit.ly/1Nwm7u0<br />
Innovia Group sale of Cellophane<br />
Innovia Group, the global leader in high-tech film products for industrial applications and banknotes, announced in mid April<br />
an agreement to sell its Cellophane business and assets to Futamura Chemicals Co., Ltd. The deal is expected to complete on<br />
or before 30 June, <strong>2016</strong>. Based in Nagoya, Japan, Futamura is a leading manufacturer of plastic and cellulose films, principally<br />
servicing the food packaging industry.<br />
Following the sale, Innovia will continue to deepen its focus on its fast-growing and world-leading polymer bank note business<br />
and on building on its market leading and differentiated double bubble biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films business.<br />
Mark Robertshaw, Chief Executive of Innovia Group, said: “The sale of our Cellophane business is an important strategic<br />
step for Innovia. Futamura is an excellent long term owner for Cellophane, with its core business focussed on cellulose and<br />
plastic films.”<br />
Yasuo Nagae, President of Futamura Chemical Co., Ltd, said: “The acquisition of the Innovia’s Cellophane business will<br />
enhance our product range and presence across the globe. It supports our ambition to serve our key customers through local<br />
manufacturing facilities offering the highest standards of delivery by experienced personnel. We look forward to welcoming<br />
Innovia’s Cello employees into our family.” MT<br />
www.futamura.co.jp/english<br />
www.innoviafilms.com<br />
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