Following an in-depth six-month study, European Plastics Converters (EuPC, Brussels / Belgium; www.plasticsconverters.eu) has called on European legislators and waste management authorities to step up the separation and collection of degradable plastics.

The European plastics processors association commissioned independent industrial tests amid concerns about the effect degradable plastics have on recyclate quality. Carried out by Austria’s Transfer Centre for Polymer Technology (TCKT, Wels; www.tckt.at), the tests examined four mixtures of degradable plastic bags and one virgin LDPE recycling material. During the six-month testing period, more than 9.45 t of plastic carrier bags were processed and more than 3,700 measurements were taken.

Though it was found that all materials can be processed, tests showed that even in small quantities of 2%, degradable plastic films can have a serious negative impact on plastic recyclate quality. Their presence not only effects the regrind’s mechanical properties, but also impairs the visual appearance of the newly produced film, TCKT said.

Commenting on the test results, EuPC's managing director, Alexandre Dangis, said, "There has been considerable concern in Europe surrounding the effects of bio-degradable plastics on recycling streams. These test results now prove that separate collection of degradable plastic products is needed in Europe if we want to further develop recycling streams and work towards a circular economy" – see also Plasteurope.com of 11.10.2013.

More details on the study are available from EuPC. Contact: ruth.colado@eupc.org