RE: SYM - Products2 Nov 2020 20:06
Thanks Hounddog10 Below is the open letter sent to Parliament
More than 40 organisations including retailers and trade associations have written an open letter calling for a ban on plastics containing additives to make them degrade.
The open letter, sent to the media on 22 October, called on the government to “follow the lead” of the European Union, which is banning ‘oxo-degradable plastics’ from next year (Directive, clause 15).
The open letter called on the government to “follow the lead” of the EU, which is banning ‘oxo-degradable’ plastics from next year
The letter comes in the wake of the development of a British Standards Institution (BSI) specification for measuring the biodegradability of polyolefins, published earlier this month. The specification, PAS9017, was sponsored by a company which produces biodegradable and compostable plastics and was developed by a steering group which included the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
Letter
The letter states: “The UK voted for the EU ban when it was proposed in 2019. Failing to act now could turn Britain from a leader into a laggard in fighting the plastic crisis.
“For these reasons, we call on the government to protect our environment, protect our food production, and protect British business by banning these materials immediately.”
It continues: “Increasing evidence shows that microplastics are entering the food chain through animals, fruits and vegetables. This impacts human health, soil health and biodiversity.
“Equally, these degradable plastic alternatives will disrupt the Britain’s recycling facilities, which will be unable to differentiate between conventional plastics and doctored alternatives.
“We call on the government to protect our environment, protect our food production, and protect British business by banning these materials immediately.”
Signatories include retailers Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose and the Co-op, as well as a number of trade associations, including the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) and the Environmental Services Association (ESA).
British Standards Institution
On 1 October the BSI published the new specification for measuring the biodegradability of polyolefins. Signatories to last week’s open letter claim the new specification supports the sale of oxo-degradable plastics. The letter reads: “The calls [for the ban] follow news that the British Standards Institution (BSI) enacted a new specification (PAS9017) this month supporting the sale of such plastics.”
WRAP is based in Banbury, Oxfordshire
The specification was developed by a steering group made up of WRAP, the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), amongst others.
PAS9017 sponsor Polymateria is a London-based privately owned technology company which develops biodegradable and compostable plastics.