Dubai, 29th Jan. 2009 (WAM) -- Oxo-biodegradable plastic is a solution to the plastic pollution problem.
This was the clear message of the presentation on bio-degradable plastic at Emirates Environmental Group's 101st Community Lecture held on 27 January 2007. Despite efforts made by government and NGOs to educate the public on proper disposal of plastics, the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills is still enormous. This poses serious threats to health and safety of the environment as plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade. However a new additive, called d2w which when mixed with" plastic at the extrusion stage will make the finished product "oxo-biodegradable" or degrade and disappear in a short timescale, leaving no fragments, no methane and no harmful residues."The plastic end product becomes "oxo-biodegradable" because they require oxygen to break down into carbon dioxide, water and some biomass. D2w is composed of metal salts that act as catalysts for the oxidation process by weakening carbon bonds and reducing the molecular mass of the material to the point at which oxidation can occur. Oxo-biodegradable plastic functions as an ordinary plastic bag however it degrades quickest when it becomes litter. "If the plastic is used properly it will last many years, but once it becomes litter it could degrade in under 12 months."This community lecture is EEGs first lecture for the year. EEG Committee Member, Sara Baker said, "We promise to present other relevant topics in our lecture series and provide an open forum for the public to understand environmental issues." She also added that the lecture on oxo-biodegradable plastic is an attempt to put the concept in front of public scrutiny. "We would like the public to judge for themselves if this type of solution is acceptable and effective to address the growing threat of plastic pollution," she added. "EEG supports innovative solutions and environment friendly alternatives to the plastic challenge as long as it is in the context of eco-friendly living". Mr. Wynston Price who spoke on d2w and oxo-biodegradability is the General Manager of Eco-polymers, the exclusive distributors in the Middle East of Symphony Environmental Ltd UK, the trademark owner of d2w oxo-biodegradable plastic. Mr. Pryce is an engineer and has been associated with Symphony Environmental Ltd. Of the UK for the last ten years in various capacities such as designing, developing and managing polyethylene film factories, as well as marketing their d2w oxo-biodegradable additives. Mr. Pryce said. "This product is the solution to the plastic problem however the use of this product should be accompanied by an environmental awareness program and recycling initiatives."Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2009.
