International Biodegradable Products Institute Awards First Compostable Logo to Biocorp Bags

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For Immediate Release

International Biodegradable Products Institute Awards First Compostable Logo to Biocorp Bags

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, May. 21 -/E-Wire/-- The International Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) granted its "Compostable Logo" to Biocorp's Biodegradable Plastic Bags. The seal will be used on all Biocorp's bags, up to 2 mils in thickness. Their bags range in

size from 2.5 gallons for kitchen food waste bins, up to 96 gallon liners wheeled

containers. They can be used for collecting a range of compostable materials,

including food scraps, leaves and other yard trimmings.

The "Compostable Logo" is a joint effort between the US Composting Council (USCC) and

the BPI to identify plastic products, which are designed to biodegrade satisfactorily

in municipal and commercial composting systems, like leaves, grass and kraft paper

bags. Before granting the logo, manufacturers must provide data from independent

laboratories that their products meet the specifications found in ASTM D6400-99

"Specification for Compostable Plastics" (published by the American Society for

Testing and Materials). After submission, independent scientists review the data to

insure that all testing was conducted appropriately and all requirements met. "The

ASTM specifications were developed after 8 years of research into the degradation of plastics during composting," stated Ramani Narayan, Ph.D., Chair of the BPI's Scientific Review Committee. "These standards are similar to those used in Germany

and other parts of Europe, where composting has been an important part of dealing with

the organic fraction of the waste stream," he added.

For the past 3 years, Biocorp's bags have been sold throughout the world, primarily

for the collection of yard trimmings and food scraps. "We are very pleased to be the

first product in the USA to carry the 'Compostable Logo," noted Frederic Scheer,

Biocorp's President. "This symbol will help to overcome the skeptics that the industry

has faced for the past 10 years," he added. The use of biodegradable plastics, such as

Biocorp's is critical to the economic collection and composting of food scraps, as

they eliminate the need for separation prior to processing. For example, the 2000

Olympic Games in Sydney Australia successfully collected and recycled 76% of the solid

wastes generated at the venues and villages. This achievement would not have been possible without an intensive recycling, composting and education program that included biodegradable cutlery, food service items and collection bags.

According to the USCC, ordinary non-degradable plastics add to the industry's cost to

compost. They add to the processing and disposal costs while reducing the quality of

the end product. "The USCC hopes to see more availability of compostable products

which carry the Logo," stated Dr. Stuart C. Buckner, president of the USCC. "We

anticipate this will lead to savings in the composting industry. We encourage

manufacturers and distributors to comply with the ASTM standard, to use the logo and

to participate in programs which demonstrate the benefits and cost effectiveness of

The BPI is an association of individuals and groups from government industry and academia that promotes the use and recovery of biodegradable plastic materials. Its

current members include major U.S. resin suppliers, biodegradable end-use product

manufacturers, government officials, and the scientific community. BPI intends to

broaden its membership to include haulers and municipalities as well as international

companies and institutions.

The USCC is the voice of the composting industry and consists of compost producers

and marketers: compost services and equipment vendors; technical consultants; public

and regulatory officials and generators of compostable feedstocks.

The International Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)

http://www.bpiworld.org

http://www.biocorpusa.com

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