Compostable carrier bags

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Compostable carrier bags

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Tristan

Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire

Posted: Fri Dec 31, 04 2:15 am Post subject: Compostable carrier bags
Somerfields supermarket have produced biodegradeable plastic bags that they reckon should break down in about 6 months with no harmful residues, likewise the RHS and RSPB send their magazines out in the same stuff. If they can, why can't the others? Anyone know the names of directors/chairpeople, perhaps a few letters should be written. Btw, haven't tried composting these bags yet! Tristan

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Dec 31, 04 7:51 am Post subject:
That's good news, I'll have to try and get hold or a couple and rot them down. I feel with most people they only way to solve the carrier bag problem is to have degradable bags. Do you know what they are made from?

McLay455

Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 89
Location: West of Scotland

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 05 8:31 am Post subject:

The Co-op have been doing this for about a year now. It says their
bag is 100% degradable and will take about three years to completely degrade
Manufactured using TDPA supplied by EPI
Co-op Brand Packaging

In an expansion of its policy to utilise degradable properties in packaging used for its products, the Co-op has become the first in the UK to adopt degradable bags for its sliced bread range.

The bags are produced from a modified polyethylene film which is extruded, printed and then converted into wicketted bags.

The special additive used to make the polythene film degradable was initially developed in conjunction with, and extensively tested by, VMB, part of British Polythene Industries (click here to visit their web-site www.bpipoly.com). Parkside Performance Films, who supply the bags to the Co-op's bread supplier, were then able to commence supplies of the degradable bread bags, after proving that the material had no detrimental effects on their production, the packing line or indeed the bread itself.

The additive is added as a part of the production process to allow total degradation of the plastic material, leaving only water, a minimal amount of carbon dioxide and a small amount of minerals compatible with soil. The technology has been independently tested and proven to be environmentally safe, leaving no toxic substances at the end of the degradation process. The material has also been tested as safe for direct food contact under EU standards.

Click here for a more technical explanation of the process

E-mail: [email protected]

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 05 11:50 am Post subject:
All well and good, but what of the resources used in making them, transporting and packing these bags, even if they degrade at the other end? Why can't people use cardboard boxes or real shopping bags? BTW I'm no saint in this matter, but I do try hard to use my shopping bags most of the time, and am constantly aware of the carrier bag issues.

quilter1

Joined: 30 Dec 2004
Posts: 6
Location: Connecticut, USA

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 05 12:37 pm Post subject:

[quote="Sarah D"]All well and good, but what of the resources used in making them, transporting and packing these bags, even if they degrade at the other end?
Why can't people use cardboard boxes or real shopping bags?

I agree. I have many cloth bags I carry to the stores. I made a bag out of a pair of green jeans my son out grew and I still get fun comments about them. They are at least 10 years old. Also I buy bags of all sizes from tag or yard sales or the best buy is free at trade shows.

My current goal is to have NO plastic bags in the house.
Terri

selfsufficientish

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 364
Location: Bristol

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 05 3:45 pm Post subject:
I was suprised to see that Dixons only give out recycled bags, they own the link, pc world and currys amongst others. Not bio-degradable or even degradable and they are not promoting alternatives such as jute bags but I guess at least they are doing something.

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