This document discusses the use of degradable plastics in Indonesia. It provides background on plastics, noting their benefits but also that they do not readily degrade and accumulate in the environment. It then discusses the global push for more sustainable packaging and laws requiring producer responsibility. Various degradable plastic options are presented, like bioplastics from corn starch (PLA) and additives that make conventional plastics oxo-biodegradable. Standards and certifications for testing degradable plastics are also covered. The document advocates for the use of biodegradable plastics in Indonesia to reduce environmental impacts of plastic waste.

1. USING DEGRADABLE
PLASTICS IN INDONESIA
A Product Stewardship Guide and
Commitment
Joseph G. Gho, Chief Executive Officer

2. Why Plastics?
Plastic is wonderful material
• Been around and been part of our life for decades
• In consumer markets
– Food, Healthcare, Shopping Malls, Packaging etc.
• Because they are
– Cheap
– lightweight
– Strong and Durable
– Flexible
– Recyclable & Reusable
– Impervious to moisture
– Highly stable for food

3. The Problem with Plastics
• Plastics Do Not Readily Degrade
• Accumulate in the Environment
• Degradation Measured in Decades/Centuries
• Highly Visible Component of the Waste Stream

4. State of the Environment
Plastics are so stable, they stay around for too long
Since the 1950s, one billion tons of plastic has been discarded and may persist for hundreds
or even thousands of years

5. What drives the Sustainability Trend?

Global warming awareness

Finite resource base: rising prices and cost of waste
disposal

Guilt over wastefulness: Germany (1990) 30%
incinerated, 65% landfilled, only 5%
recovered/recycled

Law proposal every where to reduce waste based on
the producer’s responsibility principle

6. Sustainability Packaging is News!

Move away from the throw-away society.

Whole industry sector responsible for the entire life
cycle of its products.

Disposal and recycling costs have been integrated in
the product price.

‘Polluter pays’ principle means that consumers
share the cost burden with industry.

Triple bottom line: economic, social and
environmental success.

7. Sustainable Packaging is Strategic:

8. Why make the producer responsible?

Only the product designer can choose material and
form/function of the product

Puts the feedback loop back on the producer to design for dis
assembly, reduce, reuse, using renewable material and safer
recycling

Hazardous materials increase the producer’s liability and
costs

9. First EPR program:
Germany’s Green Dot for packaging

Packaging Ordinance 1991 establishes EPR

Packaging accounted for 1/3 by weight and ½ by
volume of total waste stream and was growing!

Would stimulate new recycling technologies

Berlin Wall collapse meant new consumerism and
waste and decreasing landfill space

12. Effects of DSD: product
redesign

Packaging redesign:

lightweighting

elimination of
unessential packaging
(blister packs)

increased use of
concentrates and refill
packs

13. Wal-Mart Packaging Scorecard

2006: Packaging announced
- Goal: 5% reduction in “packaging waste” by
2013 or US$ 3billion savings
- Feb 2008 implementation

Internet-based database
- Brand owners enter data
- Calculates the “net environmental impact”
- Metrics developed with Wal-Mart’s “Sustainable
Value network” of over 200 organizations
(government, academia, packaging suppliers & brand owners)

14. Wal-Mart Success Stories
Sustainable Materials: PLA replacing PET for deli trays

Lighter weight packages, source reduction: Cost savings

Renewable energy and forest use

Increase recycled content and recyclability


15. What about plastics?
Petro-plastic are threatened, defensive

- Recycled materials, energy efficiency
- Promoting performance benefits
- Innovation
Growth in bio-based plastics


Flexible packaging industry promotes “less waste in the first
place”

16. Paper Industry

Promoting recyclability
and recycled content,
especially corrugated
board, the most highly
recycled material

More effort in cube
reduction

17. Hazardous contents must decrease

concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent
chromium in packaging reduced:
• 600 ppm (parts per million) by weight from 30 June
1998
• 250 ppm by weight from 30 June 1999
• 100 ppm by weight from 30 June 2001

18. RE-USE in Europe

On average in the European Union, about one third
of the packaging for soft drinks, mineral water and
wine is reused

The highest reuse rates are achieved in Denmark,
Finland, Germany and Sweden; in some cases more
than 90 percent of the volume bottled (glass and
PET) is reused in these countries.

19. Countries Covered in Recycling
Laws International:

European Union

Netherlands

Germany

France

Austria

Belgium

Denmark

United Kingdom

Italy

Eastern Europe

Ireland

Japan

Spain

Malaysia

Norway

Singapore

Portugal

Taiwan

Sweden

Argentina

Switzerland

Brazil

Turkey

Mexico

INDONESIA

20. Commercially available degradable plastics
(few)
Trade Polymer Applicatio Supplier Rate of Shelf Life Standard
Name Type n Degradatio
n
BIOMAX Mixed Plates, bowls, Dupont/ Compostable 12 to 18 ASTM
aliphatic & containers Metabolix in 6 months months D6400
aromatic
PET
EASTAR Modified Films, fiber, Eastman Compostable 12 to 18 ASTM
PET nonwovens, Chemical in 6 months months D6400
Bio liners, bags
ECOFLEX Mixed Films, liners, BASF Compostable 12 to 18 ASTM
aliphatic & bags in 6 months months D6400
aromatic
PET
NATURE PET Cups, Cargill Dow Compostable 12 to 18 ASTM
Containers, USA in 6 months months D6400,
WORKS Cutlery,
PLA Labels
EN13432
EPI Oxo- Oxodegradab Films, sheets, EPI- Disintegrates 2 to 3 years ASTM
le additive bags Canada but not D6954
degrad. compostable

21. PLA packaging

In 1999, Dow Chemical and Cargill created a
joint venture, named Cargill-Dow

PLA is produced from the polymerization of
lactic acid

The compostable plastics biodegrade
completely in the proper composting
environment and do not leave any residue

LCA have been published for PLA (plant
based)

22. Starch-based Degradable Products

Polystarch Plus ®-H

Polystarch ® N

Polystarch ® M
(Masterbatch)

Polystrach Plus C

Break down the plastics via
UV, Oxidation and Bacterial
Degradation

Dosage of 12-25%
Polystarch ®

23. Oxo-biodegradable Plastics
TDPA: A non-starch based
additive. This additive is
loaded and works as photo-
synthesis. The degradation
triggered by heat and/or UV
light, the end product proven
will degrade in a landfill
environment.
1 to 3% dosage

24. Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic
Degradation

25. Standard guide for Oxo Biodegradable Plastics
Technology
EPI Technology
employs the standard guide and methods to test
Oxo Biodegradable Plastics
ASTM 6954-04

26. Progressive Degradation - Biocycle

27. Cost Performance
Starch
Bag
Oxo-
Paper Starch Bag Biodegradable
25-30 US cent 10-15 US cent bags
4 US cent

28. Non Toxic
No adverse Impact
to
Environment

29. Features of Plastic products incorporating TDPA®
• have a controlled life cycle
• retain the characteristics of regular
plastics (strong, tough, and flexible)
during use
• can be produced in different colors
and transparencies
• use in conventional manufacturing
equipment, which reduces cost and risk
• are recyclable, reusable and can be • contain no heavy metals and non
made from recyclate toxic so it is safe for use with food
• supported by various papers and
reports from respected scientists and
organizations

30. Strong Approval and Credibility
• International Scientific Advisory Board members from numerous Universities
and Institutions, with publications on research and case studies.
• Employs standard guide - ASTM 6954-04
• Recognized by international governing bodies (FDA-USA, EFSA-Europe, and
CFIA-Canada) - completely safe for direct food contact applications.
• Contains NO heavy metals in compliance to UK Food Standard Agency, US-
CONEG and European Union, EC-Directive
• DO NOT contain carcinogens as per requirements of European Union, IARC
and California State Water and Toxic Enforcement Acts 1986

31. 100% Degradable applications
Slider
Zip Food
lock Packing
Health
Bags Trays
care
Cutlery
and Cups Bread
Bags Carrier
Bags Stretch
Films
Garbage Label &
tapes
Bubble Wrap Flower wraps
bags
Stretch Wrap

32. Corporate Benefits
• Environmental Impact Statement
• Positive Environmental Image Distinguishes from Competitors
• Customers Feel Good About Dealing with Environmentally Responsible
Companies
• Increases Trust and Perceived Value
• Develops or Builds Brand Loyalty
• Reduces Customer “Switching”

33. Advocating use of Biodegradable Plastics through
EPI Community Globally

34. Thank you
Email: henkywibawa@yahoo.com
Phone: +62-816-922440