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Plastic Bags and Degradability

“Guidelines for Labeling of Environmentally Degradable Plastics”(PPT)

The Film & Bag Federation (FBF) encourages the development of degradable plastics for appropriate markets, such as bags for the transfer of organic waste to composting facilities. FBF believes that the development of standard methods for testing degradability is critical for the responsible marketing and use of degradables and will participate in the formulation of standards. This includes the development of properly identified compostable plastic bags.

The Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on the use of the terms “degradable,” “biodegradable,” and “photodegradable” states:

It is deceptive to misrepresent, directly or by implication, that a product or package is degradable, biodegradable or photodegradable. An unqualified claim that a product or package is degradable, biodegradable or photodegradable should be substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence that the entire product or package will completely break down and return to nature, that is, decompose into elements found in nature within a reasonable short period of time after customary disposal.

Degradability is an extremely complex process or series of processes that depend on ambient conditions such as sun, wind, rain and soil which are not easily replicated in a laboratory. It is critical that objective standards be developed that make the responsible use of degradables possible. Once appropriate ASTM standards are established, FBF will work to create verification and enforcement steps so that all manufacturers are on a level playing field and the authorities and general public can be confident that the standards are being met.

FBF will encourage the dissemination of information about measurable benefits of the use of degradable plastics.

FBF will counter efforts to promote degradable plastics as a so-called “solution” to waste disposal and will campaign against misinformation in the market and use of so-called degradable products which have no provable environmental advantage.

Degradability of plastics is a rapidly developing field. Plastics are seldom indestructible and a range of products with enhanced degradability, including crop-based plastics, continue to be developed. These products have the potential to provide economic and environmental benefits.

However, in many applications, degradability is not compatible with the need to conserve and make the fullest use of finite resources. More energy and materials may be used in products that incorporate additives to promote degradability.

Degradeable plastics that do not meet proven standards could end up harming the environment. Landfill sites are not designed to be host sites for biological reactions and degradables that are not up to standards may create emissions. Furthermore, if the materials break down into small fragments, they could be ingested by birds and small animals. Finally, if degradable bags enter established recycling facilities, they could damage and destroy valuable recycling markets that rely on consistent quality.

Plastic Bag Warning Labels UPDATE

Recently, four states have either passed laws or issued regulations concerning suffocation warning labels on thin-gauge plastic bags. The following is an update of our one page summary sheet.

Presently, the cities of Chicago and New York, and the states of California, New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island require warning labels on certain plastics bags. The United States federal government does not at present have such a requirement. In each jurisdiction, warning label requirements are intended for plastic bags with a thickness of less than one mil (1/1000 inch) and have an opening size of seven inches or more (5 inches in Rhode Island).

The cities of New York and Chicago, and the states of New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Rhode Island require the following or similar warning statement: "Warning: Keep this bag away from babies and children. Do not use in cribs, beds, carriages or playpens. The thin film may cling to nose and mouth and prevent breathing. In these six* jurisdictions, the size of the printing of the warning on the plastic bag must adhere to the chart listed below.

Total of Length and Width of Bag		Size of Print
60 inches or more	at least	24 point
40 to 59 inches	at least	18 point
30 to 39 inches	at least	14 point
25 to 29 inches	at least	10 point
*Virginia's law is intended for dry cleaning bags only and requires at least 36 point type.

Questions about such labels came into existence in the 1960's when plastic bags were identified as possible agents responsible for suffocation deaths of young children. Deaths occurred when the bags were used as crib liners or mattress covers. In recent years, a child suffocated after pulling a plastic newspaper bag over his head.

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