Atlantic Poly Blog
- Grab the Atlantic Poly RSS Feed!
Comparison of Oxo-Biodegradable and Hydro-Biodegradable Plastics
15 Jan 2010
See table summary below
Comparison of Oxo-Biodegradable and Hydro-Biodegradable Plastics
OXO |
HYDRO |
Usually made from a by-product of oil-refining |
Usually made from starch |
Can be recycled as part of a normal plastic waste-stream |
Damages recyclate unless extracted from feedstock |
Can be made from recyclate |
Cannot be made from recyclate |
Emits CO2 slowly while degrading |
Emits CO2 rapidly while degrading |
Inert deep in landfill |
Emits methane deep in landfill |
Can use same machinery and workforce as for conventional plastic |
Needs special machinery and worforce |
Suitable for use in high-speed machinery |
Not suitable |
Compostable in-vessel |
Compostable |
Little or no on-cost |
Four or five times more expensive than conventional plastic |
Same strength as conventional plastic |
Weaker than conventional plastic |
Same weight as conventional plastic |
|
Leak-proof |
Prone to leakage |
Degrades anywhere on land or sea |
Degrades only in high-microbial environment |
Time to degrade can be set at manufacture |
Cannot be controlled |
No genetically modified ingredients |
Possibility of GM ingredients |
Safe for food contact |
Safe for food contact |
No PCB's Organo-chlorines, or "heavy metals" |
No PCB's Organo-chlorines, or "heavy metals" |
Can be incinerated with high energy-recovery |
Can be incinerated, but lower calorific value |
Production uses no fertilisers, pesticides or water |
|
No limit on availability of feedstock |
Limited availability of feedstock |
Demand for oxo-biodegradable plastics does not drive up cost of fuel for vehicles |
Demand for hydro-biodegradable plastics drives up price of human and animal foodstuffs |
Recent Posts
- Gusseted Poly Bags For Boston Packaging
- Premium Quality Drum Liners Help Reduce Contamination Risks
- Hand-Held Stretch Films Prevent Damage and Shifting of Pallets During Shipping and Storage
- Poly Stretch Films Secure and Protect Goods During Storage and Transit
- Customized Poly Plastic Tapes for Safety Labels on Packaging
- Poly Bubble Wrap Provides Extra Protection To Fragile Items During Transport
- Happy Holidays from Atlantic Poly
- Poly Garment Bags Protect Washed and Dry Cleaned Clothes
- Printed Plastic Bags Protect Your Merchandise While Marketing Your Brand
- Poly Bubble Wrap is Essential for Packaging Everything from Small Gadgets to Large Appliances