The accumulation of polymeric waste materials in the environment is an undesirable outcome of the widespread use of plastic packaging for protection, handling, delivery, presentation and containment of products.

Organic recovery of used packaging is one option for minimising negative impacts on the environment. Other options include reducing the use of such packaging and/or replacing it with alternative materials. Plastic bags in particular are identified a significant environmental problem for the following reasons:

• They are used in large quantities;

• They are typically used for a short period of time, yet can take hundreds of years to breakdown in landfill; • They contribute to or cause the deaths of large numbers of birds and marine animals;

• Their presence as litter is unsightly; • Local and state governments around Australia incur as much as $200 million per annum to clear litter, which includes plastic bags;

• The production of plastic bags consumes non-renewable resources; and • There is a reluctance to approve the use of degradable or biodegradable plastics/plastic bags in the absence of appropriate Standards that provide authorities a means of ensuring their quality, safety and performance.

Some plastic bags are labelled “degradable” whilst some are labelled “bio-degradable”. A degradable plastic is one that breaks down into smaller pieces over time. A biodegradable plastic is one that is attacked by micro-organisms, whose action converts the plastic essentially into water and carbondioxide. These plastics need to be composted in order for bio-degradation to take place. Standards Australia Committee EV-017, Degradability of Plastics, is addressing this issue and has recently concluded the development of the first Standard dealing with labelling requirements in this area.

This new development, entitled AS 4736 – Biodegradable plastics – Biodegradable plastics suitable for composting and other microbial treatment, is being prepared for publication before the end of 2006.

This new Australian Standard specifies requirements and procedures to determine the compostability of plastics, by addressing biodegradability, disintegration, and any effects on the quality of the resulting compost.

This Standard will assist authorities to regulate polymeric materials entering the Australian market, to ensure product quality with respect to biodegradability and toxicity claims. It provides a basis for labelling of materials or products made from plastics as compostable, to enable their safe use in municipal or industrial compost facilities.

Any material complying with the requirements of this Standard, will be capable of breaking down, within 12 weeks, in a commercial composting situation, to a point where at least 90% of the material will pass through a 2mm sieve.

The Committee is also developing a series of Standards to deal with oxodegradable plastics. Oxo-degradable plastics breakdown, usually in landfill, due the presence of a prodegradant in the plastic material. Several test methods relevant to oxodegradable plastics are being prepared for publication for early next year.

To stay up to date and view a full list of drafts for comment visit www.standards.org.au.

Standards Australia’s project managers’ facilitate committees comprised of experts representing a broad cross section of industry and the community, such as governments, industry bodies, trade and professional associations, academia and consumer groups.

Standards Australia is recognized by the government as Australia’s peak standards body. It develops Australian Standards of public benefit and national interest and supports excellence in design and innovation.