Innovative Packing Material Can Help Divert Plastic Waste from Landfills
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 31 million tons of plastic solid waste was deposited into the U.S. municipal solid waste stream in 2007. Plastics are a rapidly growing contributor to U.S. municipal solid waste, having increased from less than 1% in 1960 to over 12.1% by weight in 2007. In spite of intensive efforts to promote collection and recycling, only 2.1 million tons of plastic, or 6.8% of plastic solid waste, was recycled in 2007. While the balance is mostly deposited in landfills and waste treatment facilities, many plastic items, particularly single-use items such as bottles and caps, cups, lids and straws, and grocery bags, become litter in the environment.
Compostable, innovative packing material can reduce the strain on landfills—when it is disposed of through composting. It takes as little as 70 days for some bioplastic materials to start to break down into organic material.
Mirel bioplastic resins are derived from sugar and, though not designed to effectively degrade in landfills, are
Vinçotte-certified to be fully
biodegradable in natural soil and water environments, industrial composting, and backyard home composting systems. In addition to
biodegradability properties, Mirel bioplastics have excellent resistance to moisture, hot liquids, and high heat. Mirel's injection molding commercial grade is an excellent choice for injection-molded trays and single-use disposables. In development are foam and film grades for use as disposable packaging and films, shrink-wrap, and safe shipping materials for electronics and other durable goods.