FAQ
- What are the differences between Degradable, Biodegradable and Compostable products?
- What is the BS EN13432 Standard?
- What are your products made from?
- What are the benifits?
- What products do you sell?
Degradable products:-
A polymer which goes through a chemical change in the material when it breaks down. A photodegradable polymer will degrade due to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight causing a chemical change. An additive to the polymer(5%) speeds the degredation process.
Biodegradable products:-
These products are assimilated by natural means, back into elements such as carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. There is no standard for biodegradable products.
Compostable products:-
These are polymers which break down in a composting environment by natural means, back into simple elements, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. Compostable products are backed by the European standards EN 13432 Norm - introduced in 2000. This ensures that 90% of the product has composted down within a 12 week period and that the resulting humus created during the composting process is of good quality. The majority of these polymers are from RRM(renewable resource material) e.g. starch etc., but some can be from petro-chemicals such as co-polyesters.
What is the BS EN13432 Standard?Composac Ireland or Ecosac Ltd (If you a dealing with us in the UK) are members of a Steering Comittee which has established a UK non profit making certification system for all composting polymers.
This certification, with the logo opposite, will ensure that the public will recognise and know what to do with this new packaging. The standard for Compostable packaging was launched on 3rd December 2003 by The Composting Association and is built around the EN13432 (2000) standard using DIN Certco for the certification.
The DIN Certco accreditation achieved for Composacs/Ecosacs relates to the NF866 Mater-Bi raw material, for use in composting products specifically suited to UK and Ireland conditions.
Defra requires that, when composting any packaging, the resulting compost must be of good quality and useable, and that the composting process is not just for volume reduction. Some degradable polymers not only cause very poor quality compost but also, in some cases, have stopped the compost from working. Residues from these may contain traces of heavy metals with the risk they may enter the food chain.
The Packaging Waste Regulations of 1997 require a tax to be paid on the amount of packaging which passes through supermarket retailers. The supermarkets pay the major share of the cost under these regulations. Degradable, Biodegradable, and Compostable packaging which contains more that 50% of the petro-chemical polymers have no benifit under these regulations. Compostable packaging conforming to the standard EN 13432 containing more than 50% from renewable resource material (RRM'S) will benefit these regulations.
What are your products made from?Composac/Ecosac compostable bags are made from corn starch which is not grown for the food markets.
What are the benifits?The benefits are many and varied but the main features are:
- Made from renewable resources.
- GM -free feedstock.
- Good for the environment - closed loop process.
- Certified 100% compostable - EN13432 and DIN Certco 54900
- Bags and sacks (6.5 to 120 Litre).
- Liners (240 Litre for wheelie bins).
- Carrier bags.
- Unique Bio-Box breathable bin for kitchen waste.
