Japan, Germany and US Expanding Cooperation on Certifying Biodegradable Plastics

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Japan, Germany and US Expanding Cooperation on Certifying Biodegradable Plastics

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For Immediate Release

Japan, Germany and US Expanding Cooperation on Certifying Biodegradable Plastics

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, Apr. 4 -/E-Wire/-- The Biodegradable Plastics Society of Japan (BPS), DIN CERTCO of Germany and the Biodegradable Products Institute of the United States (BPI) reached agreement to recognize the results of each other’s approved laboratories. This step assures that producers of biodegradable products can use the results from a laboratory approved by any of these groups for all 3 certifications. “Manufacturers can focus more of their resources on product and market development, which lead to better products for customers,â€쳌 stated Kazushi Ohshima, BPS General Manager.

The agreement comes just 10 months after the 3 groups reached an accord to harmonize certification efforts with the ultimate goal of mutual recognition of each others labeling efforts. “Our shared vision is one set of tests, leading to rapid certification in all parts of the world,â€쳌 stated Dr. Ramani Narayan Chairman of ASTM Subcommittee D20.96 Environmentally Degradable Plastics and the BPI’s Scientific Chairman. Recognition of each other’s laboratory data is a critical first step in this process. “Valid data is the basis for any certification effort,â€쳌 Narayan added.

In Japan, the BPS efforts focus on certifying products that are biodegradable and safe. To carry the “GreenPlaâ€쳌 mark products must meet the specifications found in ISO 14851, 14852 or 14855. All require that the resin be converted to carbon dioxide by microbial activity. Additionally products must not be harmful to humans, plants or animals. Once certified products, resins and additives are placed on the “positiveâ€쳌 list, which is available on the BPS website (www.bpseb.net). Additionally, the BPS is exploring how to certify products as “compostableâ€쳌 as part of its commitment to harmonizing standards on a worldwide basis.

DIN Certco’s and the BPI’s certifications are very similar. Each identifies those products, which meet DIN V 54900 “Prüfung der Kompostierbarkeit von Kunststoffenâ€쳌, DIN EN 13432 "Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation", or ASTM D6400-99 “Specifications for Compostable Plasticsâ€쳌. Critical to meeting these standards is proving that polymers can be assimilated by the microbes in the environment and converted into carbon dioxide through metabolic activity-just like yard trimmings and food scraps. Products, which pass these standards, will compost quickly and safely, in municipal or commercial facilities.

According to the US EPA, food scraps and yard trimming are still some of the largest segments of the waste stream that are landfilled or incinerated-behind to paper and paperboard. Also, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified the degradation of food scraps in landfills as a significant generator of methane gas, a known contributor to global warming. It estimates that composting of food scraps (vs. landfilling) would have the same global warming benefits taking 2,000,000 cars off the road.

However, food scraps can be effectively collected and composted without methane generation, with the aid of biodegradable products, significantly improving recycling and diversion rates.

The most recent success is taking place in Kassel, Germany, which is the home to the world’s largest demonstration program for biodegradable plastics, incorporating a wide array of packaging. In total, more than a dozen different products have been converted to biodegradable materials, ranging from grocery sacks, to fruit and vegetable bags and even butter packaging. The test is already showing favorable results.

* After just five months, 6 out 10 consumers are aware of these new packages and their benefits.

* Eighty percent of the consumers that have purchased the products with the new packaging rate them as being of high quality and will purchase the products again.

* One out of 3 consumers is willing to pay more for products with biodegradable packaging.

* Consumers are able to correctly sort out the new packaging, placing it with their food scraps. Recycling and diversion rates have remained very high as has compost quality.

Mr. J. Neun, General Manager of DIN CERTCO concluded "With these results from the Kassel Project and the global co-operation between BPI, BPS, and DIN CERTCO compostable products are ready to make a great leap forward."

For a complete list of approved labs, visit the websites of the BPI, BPS and DIN CERTCO, shown below.

Biodegradable Products Institute

United States, Biodegradable Products Institute, Steve Mojo, Executive Director, Phone: 888-BPI-LOGO (274-5646), Email: [REDACTED-EMAIL], Website: www.bpiworld.org

Europe, DIN CERTCO, Markus Weber, Product Manager, Phone: +49-30-2601-2731, Email: [REDACTED-EMAIL], Website: www.dincertco.de

Asia, Biodegradable Plastics Society, Kazushi Ohshima, General Manager, Phone: +81-3-5541-2731, Email: [REDACTED-EMAIL], Website: www.bpsweb.net

http://www.bpiworld.org

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