| Degradable Bags were introduced into the market | | | | Oxo-bio-degradable: They degrade with a process |
| during a time when all nations showed concern on | | | | of hydro-degradation. One of the latest inventions |
| the pollution of the environment. Most products in | | | | produces plastic with degrades by a process called |
| the market was made from the common plastics | | | | Oxo-degradation. This process does not depend |
| which did not break down, eventually taking landfill | | | | on microbes for degradation. Degradation of this |
| waste a great number of years to degrade. Thus | | | | plastic speeds up when exposed to heat, light or |
| came in the introduction of these bags to help | | | | stress and continues until the material has reduced |
| reduce our waste matter and create a better and | | | | to nothing. Thus it does not leave any fragments |
| safer environment to live in. | | | | in the soil. |
| Degradation is a process where the larger objects | | | | Thus to summarise the above processes, |
| are broken into smaller parts or even fragments. | | | | Degradable Bags decompose due to a chemical |
| In this process even tough plastics tend to | | | | additive to oxygen, light or heat and are ideal for |
| become weak and brittle as a result of this | | | | a landfill. Degradable bags are also known as |
| degradation. The process can be initiated either by | | | | "oxo-degradable" bags. These bags will usually |
| heat or exposure to UV light and it is enhanced | | | | break down automatically, and it could range |
| by a mechanical pressure. | | | | between 3-18 months or even longer, after |
| The degradable bags are made from a material | | | | manufacture. |
| known as "Degradable Plastic" which is plastic | | | | So the question arises whether these products |
| designed to go through a significant change under | | | | are eco-friendly? Overall they seem to be |
| specific environmental conditions. They degrade as | | | | accepted and belong to a good concept. They can |
| a result of a physical and chemical impact. There | | | | be used like any other ordinary bag plastic bag |
| are different types of degradable plastics: | | | | and when the time is right, they decompose |
| Starch Based: These degradable plastic products | | | | within a given time frame. They are far better |
| are based on a type of starch obtained from | | | | than the common plastic bag which takes |
| maize. The products manufactured in this process | | | | decades to fully decompose. However, there are |
| will require an active microbial environment such | | | | many environmental organisations who yet argue |
| as a landfill to degrade. Some will totally degrade | | | | that biodegradable plastic bags are yet not fit |
| and the others will only perforate. | | | | enough to save the planet. |
| Aliphatic: This degradable plastic used aliphatic | | | | All business companies are equally responsible for |
| polyesters, which are quite expensive. Just as in | | | | the protection of our environment; making a |
| the first category, these products too rely on | | | | transition to degradable products will definitely |
| microbial activity in a landfill or compost to | | | | show your concern for this effort. Strongly |
| degrade. | | | | consider selecting degradable products for your |
| Photo-degradable: These will degrade only when | | | | promotional event which will not only help make |
| exposed to sunlight, and will not degrade in a | | | | your brand known in the market, but will also |
| landfill. | | | | create a good company image. |