EDEN
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Please note, that this message is just for bioplastic material, not sugarcane, not cornstarch or other biodegradable materials as used for biodegradable products/disposables.
Any of the biodegradable materials needs a micro-life environment for decomposing. Sugarcane is the easiest to composting (2 - 4 months), while bags, cornstarch bags aswell, take considerably longer.
During two years biodegradable bioplastic material is part of the range as an alternative for the cornstarch film products like bags, whether shopping bags, trash bags and the like. The bioplastic bags are a good alternative as they are stronger than and price competitive with the cornstarch equivalents.
Original testing in 2006 in Europe has shown that the bioplastic material did meet the standard as set out in the European Standard EN13432. The bioplastic is biodegradable and compostable, however the time frame for decomposing seems to be marginal and even longer than outlined in the European Standard.
Standard EN13432 has been used for marketing purposes, consequently should not have been used in case the standard can not been met.
The supplier/manufacturer is aware of this problem. A renewed testing has been undertaken. As soon news comes on hand, it will be notified on this page. On this website products involved, code numbers start with the letter G.
Results of the latest test, dated 28 June 2010:
A test executed by Flinders University in Adelaide (Australia) has revealed that the bioplastic material is biodegradable and compostable. However the material did not meet the specific condition regarding the time frame as required by the regular Standard Keeping Institutes.
Important is the fact that no negative effect has been found in the composting test. As the breakdown time exceeds the regular (kitchen waste) compost cycle time, it's advised that "this bioplastic material not to be placed in green composting waste, but rather in general waste only", where there is no set time frame for decomposing.
rombout@clear.net.nz