TITLE OF PAPER: Sorting Through the Latest Names, Claims and Performance
of Degradable Additives and How They Impact Compostable Plastics
Keith A. Edwards Biodegradable Polymers Manager North America, BASF.
Phone: 513-314-6359, E-Mail: keith.edwards@basf.com
Postal Address: 4321
Stone Trace Lane, Liberty Twp, OH 45011
ABSTRACT:
Terms such as "degradable," "biodegradable," "oxo-degradable," "oxobiodegradable," “oxo-green” and “biological” are used to describe and promote
products made using traditional plastics supplemented with specific degradable
additive technologies. Products made with these technologies include film
applications such as landfill daily cover films, trash can liners, shopping bags,
agricultural mulch films, shampoo bottles, writing pens and plastic water bottles.
Serious concerns exist amongst many composting, plastics recycling and waste
management experts that these products do not meet their claimed
environmental promises. In this session the SPI Bioplastics Council will
provide the latest information about issues and questions of concern in order to
support composters, consumers, retailers, and the plastics industry in identifying
unsubstantiated and misleading product claims. Topics addressed will include:
 What is the new terminology being used and what does it really mean?
 What is the actual degradation process of these additives?
 What impact does use of these additives have on compostable plastics and
the composting infrastructure?
 What is being done now at a Federal and State level to address the
unsubstantiated and misleading degradable additives product claims?
 What recommendations does the Bioplastics Council have for composting
professionals and the impact of degradable additives?