1. Will the biodegradable products perform as well as your non-degradable
products?
The product performance is not impacted; both our biodegradable SUPER 8® loosefill and our biodegradable
CELL-O® film performance is the same as the
non-biodegradable products.
2. How long will it take to degrade?
Our biodegradable products will biodegrade in 1 to 5 years or more, depending on conditions, when in the presence of microorganisms. There is no precise time frame for biodegradation, and if microbial activity is limited, then degradation could take many years. But we know that the additive we use in our biodegradable products accelerates degradation.
3. What causes the product to biodegrade?
Our biodegradable products contain an additive that promotes the
formation of a microscopic bio-film on the surface of
the products, which attracts microorganisms. The
microorganisms secrete acids and enzymes that break down
the long polymer chains into smaller pieces, which can
then be digested by the microorganisms. This additive is
used in numerous plastic products throughout the world.
4. What is left when the product biodegrades?
After biodegradation, the resulting material has been
transformed into simple molecules found in the
environment, such as carbon dioxide, methane, water,
inorganic compounds or biomass with no heavy metals or
harmful chemicals.
5. Does it take air to make our biodegradable products to degrade?
film biodegrade?
Our biodegradable products will biodegrade in aerobic (with air) and anaerobic
(without air) conditions, which means it will degrade
in soil or in landfills, although in some landfills it make take more than 5 years, depending on the level of microbial activity.
6. Will it degrade in a modern landfill?
Our biodegradable products will degrade in landfills, but landfill conditions vary, so the time frames will also vary.
7. How do we know the product will biodegrade?
Numerous plastic samples that use the additive have been
tested by independent laboratories, in accordance with
standard test methods approved by ASTM and other
standardization bodies, to determine the rate and extent
of biodegradation of plastic materials. The test methods
include:
o ASTM D5511 - Anaerobic Biodegradability (Simulates
landfill).
o ASTM D5338 - Aerobic Biodegradation under Controlled
Composting Conditions.
o ASTM 5209 - Aerobic Biodegradation in the Presence of
Municipal Sewage Sludge.
The results of these tests concluded that plastic
products manufactured with this additive are
biodegradable and safe for the environment. We have preformed aerobic testing in which our product biodegraded in one year.
Outside laboratories have tested our products using Biochemical Methane Potential testing, which results demonstrate degradation in landfill conditions.
We are continuing to perform additional testing.
8. What is the ASTM?
ASTM International which was started in 1898 was
originally known as the American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM). It is one of the largest voluntary
standards development organizations in the world, they
are currently represented in over 120 countries. The
ASTM is a trusted source for technical standards for
materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM
International standards have an important role in the
information infrastructure that guides design,
manufacturing and trade in the global economy. For more
information see www.astm.org
9. Is the material compostable?
Our biodegradable products will degrade in both home and commercial
composters, but because it will generally take more than a year to degrade, we do not recommend our products for composting.
10. Can our biodegradable products be recycled?
Yes. Our biodegradable SUPER 8 loosefill is #6 Polystyrene (PS) and can be
recycled with some curbside programs or it can be
returned to over 1,500 locations listed in Plastic
Loosefill Council's Peanut Hotline, or the Alliance of
Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR) drop-off and mail-in
program.
Our biodegradable film is #4 LDPE (the same material used to make bread
and frozen food bags, squeezable bottles, e.g. honey,
mustard) and can be recycled curbside in some
communities or deflated and recycled with plastic bags.
You can learn about curbside recycling programs in your
area by visiting Earth 911 and typing in your ZIP code.
You can find out where to recycle plastic bags in your
area by visiting PlasticBagRecycling.org.
11. Are our biodegradable products OXO or OXI based products?
No, our biodegradable products are not OXO or OXI based additive
products. OXO or OXI based products break down in the
presence of heat, light or mechanical stress. They also
leave heavy metal residue as they degrade. OXO or OXI
products are currently being eliminated in Japan,
Australia, Germany and other locations.
12. What is EN 13427?
EN 13427 is the standard of the European Packaging
Directive, for sustainable products under the European
Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and the
Essential Requirements Regulation. This directive for
sustainable products includes how products will be used
after they have fulfilled their primary purpose. A
sustainable product compliant with EN 13427 standards
must be either recyclable, reusable, incinerated with a
low calorific output, biodegradable or does not give off
any heavy metal residues or contain any harmful or
dangerous substances.
Both CELL-O® inflatable air cushions and biodegradable
SUPER 8® loosefill have been certified by independent
laboratories as compliant with this directive.
13. Is there any special handling for this product?
No special handling is required to load, use or store the
material.
14. From a packer's standpoint, are there any safety issues with handling?
No, the additive is made from FDA recognized materials
and is not known to contain hazardous materials, as
outlined by current OSHA regulations.
15. Will the additive transfer to other products?
No, the additive must be mixed with the raw materials
during production of the finished packaging material and
becomes a non-transferable part of the product.
16. Is there a shelf life on this material?
The additive to make our products biodegradable does not
impact the shelf life of the product in normal warehouse
conditions
17. Will humidity affect its performance?
Humidity will not impact the performance of our
biodegradable products.
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