What happens with packaging material, that has been used? All kinds of packaging, regardless if it's plastic- or paper-based, may be disposed in different ways. The disposal can roughly be differentiated in the recycling of materials, the thermal utilization and the decomposability of the packaging material.
Looking at the process of recycling or thermal utilization, a further value is created by making the packaging reusable somehow. Within the process of recycling, the material survives and is reused as a secondary raw material in a similar or the same way. Examples for this are the PET bottles (a disposable bottle) or waste paper. This form of reusing packaging goods creates the ideal case, since the material that has already been produced stays in the cycle and resources can be preserved. Within the process of thermal utilization, the material doesn't stay in the cycle, however the energy produced in the combustion can be used for other purposes. The most important thing though: These two ways of disposal give the already used material a value once again.
The exact opposite happens within the process of biodegradation or composting. Here, the material is completely removed from the cycle, in other words: destroyed. When it comes to packaging material, this is especially regrettable, since the packaging material does usually not contain any biomass unlike organic waste. This way no nutrients can be given back to the compost, where this kind of waste is usually dropped.
In the recent months, a special focus shifted towards the term "oxo-biodegradable" plastics. Plastic material is divided into microparticles within a time period of two to five years through adding certain additives. However, this process is not about a complete decomposition, but merely about a fragmentation of the material with the aim of not leaving any visible waste. The plastic microparticles that are released in that way have an extensive negative influence on the environment. This is also the reason for the European commission promoting the waiver of oxo-biodegradable plastics and for their plans about introducing a Europe-wide prohibition for materials like that.
In this sense and with special regard to a conscientious use of available resources, BRANOpac declares a clear opinion against a degradability of the packaging material produced by us. Furthermore, BRANOpac will not use oxo-biodegradable plastic as part of our effort to protect the environment. With our research and development of new packaging possibilities we concentrate on raw materials that can already be disposed within an existing recycling cycle in order to advance the recycling of all our products. One thing holds true not only for the products that have been packaged with our goods, but also for our own packaging: BRANOpac - Maintaining the value of good products.