The Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Association (OPA, London / UK; www.biodeg.org) has said it will work with the European Commission to understand the timeframes in which degradation of oxo-biodegradable plastics can be deemed acceptable from an environmental point of view. The OPA’s comments followed publication by the Commission of a report by Eunomia (Bristol / UK; www.eunomia.co.uk) consultants on the impact of the use of oxo-biodegradable plastic (OBP) carrier bags on the environment.

The association said it would “not be easy” to answer some of the questions around OBP raised by the report, but “we are confident that we and our scientific consultants can satisfy the Commission on these points.” The OPA said the report’s authors believed it was possible for an OBP to fully mineralise in an open environment, “with the prodegradant additives encouraging this action, and thus the polymers and entrained substances can be assimilated into the natural environment.”

With regard to the marine environment, the OPA said there was evidence that OBP would degrade to low molecular-weight materials under natural conditions in water.

On recycling, the OPA said the Eunomia report “misunderstands the role of stabilisers” and would be offering its response to the overall document in a more detailed submission to the European Commission.