Perf Go Green Biodegradable Plastics - UPDATE: Not So Biodegradable After All
by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York 
on 10. 5.08
Perf Go Green, a new biodegradable plastic company based in New York, has developed a line of products that may significantly aid in eliminating plastic waste. Their products include a wide range of bags, from commercial trash bags to plastic drop cloths. Considering the huge volume of bags that hit the landfill every year, replacing them with a biodegradable alternative could prove to be a huge step towards environmental improvement. And the process behind their creation is just as intriguing.
How Biodegradable Plastic is Made:
From the website:
Perf Go Green products incorporate recycled plastics that are combined with an Oxo-Biodegradable proprietary application method to produce the film for its bags. Based on environmental claims statements made by the manufacturer of the Oxo-Biodegradable applied to our bags, when discarded in soil and exposed to the presence of microorganisms, moisture and oxygen, we believe Perf Go Green products biodegrade, decomposing into simple materials found in nature much faster than regular plastics, which can take hundreds of years to break down. Through this process and the use of recycled plastics, Perf Go Green
effectively removes plastic waste from the environment.
There still seems to be some speculation involved in the long-term biodegradability of the Perf bags, as acknowledged on the website. Let’s hope the Oxo-Biodegradable manufacturer’s claims prove accurate, and we see a rise in use of biodegradable plastic bags.
UPDATE:
Evidently my (albeit mild) skepticism has proven warranted: I've recently learned that research has been done on these very bags, and they are not in fact, biodegradable. They are made out of recycled plastic, and therefore still more environmentally sound than your garden variety plastic bag. However, the bags "biodegrade" only by dissolving into still-existent tiny plastic particles that can then move in groundwater. They cannot be reabsorbed into the earth in any way that could really be considered sustainable.
More on Biodegradable Plastics:
Natureworks PLA Biodegradable Plastic Packaging
Argentinian Scientists Develop Biodegradable Material Similar to Plastic
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Biodegradable bags is an awesome and revolutionizing product, I've seen only a few in some stores but hope that supermarkets begin to adopt them as their plastic bag. And I'm glad the word is getting out as today our farmer's market guy had them at his stand!!
About time
I believe that governments should immediately make biobags the only type that are allowed in their countries. Reducing consumption has worked in the UK, the next step is to make sure consumption is less of an issue.
I want to be assured that these bags DO biodegrade and NOT photodegrade as plastics are notorious for. Photodegradation is horrible for it never gets fully recycled back into the earth. If they are being truthful then this is the greatest invention to eliminate waste! Awesome.
Holly crud --- this reads more like an ad for the company's products and less like a Treehugger article.
One of the few statements I like in this post is
Hey, read the updates! don't be so optimistic, read till the end of the article!
Just buy a reusable bag and throw it in your trunk. Or at least use a paper bag...
Even if they were biodegradable... will this mean more non-food crops when we're struggling to find space to grow food? and where does it go? anaerobic digestion and appropriate collection facilities first please before you get too excited. I'm with eugene... get a canvas bag, reuse it, mend it and use it again!
@Brian,
Thanks for the update.
Cloth bags have existed for years, quit being so F-ing lazy and bring your own! Nowadays it's cool!
what research contradicts the companies claim? Because i must admit i am quite skeptic about the authors sources..
I work in the plant that produces bio plastics in Nebraska, it is a very interesting process, and the effect on corn for human consumption is insignificant.
Thank you for your update which is a great research...
Perf Go Green is using Oxo degradable which is NOT biodegradable as per EN 13432:2000/ISO 14855 standards and DO NOT COMPOST, especially in wet conditions in landfill. There is SERIOUS concern about the claims on these bags, such that they DO NOT biodegrade as claimed, contain heavy metals (like EPI additive based, currently being taken to court in Australia for false claims).
Degradable bags, which are currently supplied as oxo degradable (NOT Biodegradable) partly breakdown however not completely. The result of this action is the remains of the plastic shreds, which then become harmful to the environment and the food chain.
Bioplast biodegradable bag on the other hand is 100% biodegradable as per EN 13432:2000/ISO 14855 standards and completely disappears within 6 months which is compostable, hence enhancing the nutritive value of the remaining soil.
A little bit of Bioplast Biodegradable Technology;
Due to the ever increasing usage of non degradable plastics in day to day life, and due to the environmental/pollution hazards faced due to its non degradable characteristics, this research was undertaken by Bioplast Inc. to make polyethylene totally biodegradable.
Enhancing polyethylene products to undergo a change in its chemical structure under environmental conditions. The loss of properties of polyethylene while contacting with soils and water may vary as measured by standard list appropriate to plastic and the application in a period. Bioplast biodegradable technology enables polyethylene (HDPE and LLDPE) to biodegrade in atmospheric conditions in soil and compost thereby releasing CO2.
The plastic treatment is used in this technology as a source for growth of bacteria culture. The inhibited Bacterial culture has been enumerated under laboratory tests. The total fungal and bacterial counts in biodegradable polyethylene bags have been observed as CFU/g*.
A definite bacterial group found alive and active in these bags treated with Bioplast enzymes proves that the soil bacteria and the bacteria group present in the bag jointly eats away at the polyethylene film leading it to total biodegradation.
Bacterial and fungal counts were enumerated and classified by Vimta Labs. The total fungal count is
Enzymes used in this technology are regarded a catalysts, helping to change the chemical reaction of polyethylene accelerating the process of degradation. Autotrophic bacteria present in mineral salts mediums containing some form of nitrogen-energy supplying material are also used in this technology.
Carbon is obtained from the added oxidation agents in this product. The PH values of this composition blended with polyethylene are 9.5 confirming its non-acidity characteristics. All the ingredients of Bioplast plastic products are food grade and non-toxic in nature.
It is observed that soil contains at least 58% Carbon. The greater part of the Nitrogen content of the soil is closely linked to organic matter. As the organic soil matter gradually decomposes the nitrogen is converted into water or available forms of ammonia and nitrates. This moist soil reacts with the biodegradable polyethylene film making it susceptible to composting and the release of CO2.
The enzymatic treatment is used at 1-1.5% dosage for Polyethylene (90% HDPE, 10% LLDPE) and mechanically coated. The use of this technology makes Polyethylene (HDPE LLDPE) 100% Biodegradable as per EN 13432:2000/ISO 14855 standards.
The cost of this process is very cheap as compared to any other method prevalent in the world.
http://www.bioplast.com.tr
Now there is a solution and much better alternative to levying, recycling and reusable canvas grocery bags for those who forgets their canvas bag at home or in the car which is called "Bioplast Biodegradable Plastics."
Bioplast is a manufacturing company of BIOPLAST Branded Biodegradable Garbage Bags and Fridge Bags for the household markets and for the industry as well as Biodegradable Carrier Bags and Vegy Bags for the retail sector using their own patented unique formula of bacteria enzyme base substrate as against starch base biodegradable and oxo-degradable as used by other manufacturers world over.
Starch is the reserve carbohydrate of plants. The modification of its properties by chemical means is a key factor in its use in corn-starch based biodegradable bags which has a cost addition of 300%-400%. These bags are not as strong or durable as polymer (plastic) bags. Also starch based products can comprise of genetically modified crops (GM Crops) which contains PLA the substitutes can increase emissions of greenhouse gases on landfill sites and releases Methane which is 23 times more damaging than the C02 that Al and Goreites have demonized and cannot be recycled in Britain. See The Guardian reported on Saturday on “Corn starch based material can damage the environment”;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/apr/26/waste.pollution
Oxo is degradable which is NOT biodegradable as per EN 13432:2000/ISO 14855 standards and DO NOT COMPOST, especially in wet conditions in landfill. There is SERIOUS concern about the claims on these bags, such that they DO NOT biodegrade as claimed, contain heavy metals (like EPI additive based, currently being taken to court in Australia for false claims).
Degradable bags, which are currently supplied as oxo degradable partly breakdown however not completely. The result of this action is the remains of the plastic shreds, which then become harmful to the environment and gets in to the food chain.
Bioplast is the only Biodegradable technology in the world using bacteria enzyme base substrate which is 100% biodegradable within 6 months after disposal as per ASTM-D 5488-84d and EN 13432:2000/ISO 14855 standards with the lowest cost addition.
Bioplast biodegradable products are also compostable and hence enhancing the nutritive value of the remaining soil. All the ingredients of Bioplast biodegradable plastic products are food grade and non-toxic in nature therefore suitable to be in contact with food products.
Bioplast is using nature to solve a man made problem.
Bioplast believes that this great innovation will go a long way in preserving the ecological balance around the world which has brought intelligent and affordable solution to the disposal of polyethylene plastic waste problem worldwide.
The local and central Governments must now ban all non-biodegradable plastic bags and force all the retailers to use ONLY 100% Biodegradable bags in their stores without any surcharge as an alternative to reusable canvas bags for those who forget their canvas bag at home. This will be the evidence of their sincere concern for the environment and their commitment to tackling the considerable problem of plastic bag waste and the pollution.
"What will you tell your children? Were you part of the Problem or part of the Solution?"
http://www.bioplast.com.tr
The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certifies products to be completely compostable according to ATSM D6400 or ATSM D6868. Consumers who are skeptical about dubious environmental claims should visit the list of BPI approved products (www.bpiworld.org) to verify that a "green" product really is biodegradable.
They shouldn't even CALL it a BIOBAG if it's not biodegradable. The biggest problems with plastics is that they end up in landfills, or blown into the Pacific Basic garbage pit, where they break up into little pieces, and eventually leek into the soil and contaminate it with petrochemicals. Or they get eaten by birds and fish who either die from being so chock full of plastic debris, OR the fish get scooped up by fishers and served to us. Now you tell me, don't you think plastic in a fish's stomach will leak into the bloodstream, and eventually contaminate HUMANS with hazardous plastic residue if we eat them?
I recently helped design a website for a BBC Documentary called "Message in the Waves" that talks about the plastic pollution problem, and there you can see directly why little plastic bits are extremely dangerous for species survival. Related to that, we also designed a reusable bag for Modbury, Britain's 1st Plastic-Bag Free town. Reusable bags are the only ones I use for toting/groceries.
If you want a real bio bag for waste, Bioplast is good, and Gardeners Supply Company also makes 100% biodegradable bags.
As for recycled plastic, there are many other things that we can repurpose it for, ideally for long-lasting or reusable products. There's Earth Friendly Moving, with recycled plastic moving boxes, and I also have a beautiful fashion purse by Shiraleah made from recycled/repurposed materials.