The PET trade organisation had previously urged caution in the use of these additives (May 2009), citing lack of data about potential effects on PET recycling.
Napcor’s decision to reaffirm its public stance on this issue was prompted by continued new package introductions and related claims, without adequate new data demonstrating additives’ efficacy as an end-of-life strategy, or their effects on recycling.
“There’s still insufficient evidence that these additives do ‘no harm’ to the PET recycling stream under real-life conditions, nor is there data to confirm that the lifespan and functionality of the many next-use products made from recycled PET won’t be adversely affected,” said Tom Busard, Napcor chairman. “This is of serious concern to the PET packaging and recycling industries.”
Degradable additives are commonly added during the production of plastic packaging in order to promote degradation of that packaging under certain circumstances. These additives are impossible to detect visually, or through any commonly used recycled material sorting technologies.
Napcor maintains that the use of degradable additives in PET packaging not only jeopardises PET recycling due to unknown potential consequences, but runs counter to the principles of sustainability and sound environmental stewardship, making it a poor end-of-life option.
Napcor has called on product stewards and packaging decision makers to refrain from using degradable additives, except where specified by law, and reiterates its call for all stakeholders to fully consider the impacts behind the use of these additives, both in the context of meaningful marketing claims, and in light of the broader issues of sustainability, climate change and resource conservation.
Source: Napcor
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024