NERC in the News

Recycling Group Opposes Degradable Additives in Plastics

Waste Recovery Report, February 2012

The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) opposes use of degradable additives in plastic packaging formulations. The group supports continuing research into this practice, but questions the environmental benefits and the impact on recycling of currently available additives.

NERC’s position is based on the following considerations:

The additives now utilized render resins unreliable and therefore nonrecyclable.
The environmental sustainability of plastic packaging depends on recyclability.
Disposal of degradable plastics in landfills contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Information about the lifecycle of plastics with degradable additives is inadequate.
Use of degradable additives does not reduce the generation of marine debris and may be harmful to aquatic life if resulting particles are ingested.
Packaging compatible with the natural environment through degradability is counterproductive as a litter control strategy.

For details, contact Lynn Rubenstein, NERC, 139 Main St, Suite 401, Brattleboro VT 05301, 802-254-3636, fax 802-254-5870, www.nerc.org.