Representatives of the oxo-biodegradable industry have expressed happiness over European Council of Member States' decision to reject the ban on the material across the continent.
The Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics Association (OPA) also stated that it welcomes the request of the parliament to the European Commission to undertake a study of biodegradable plastics as it felt it was important to study all types of biodegradable plastics and not just oxo-biodegradable.
Criticism of the oxo-biodegradable plastic industry had been led by Danish Green MEP Margrete Auken who introduced the ban on oxy-biodegradable bags to the EC's original 2013 legislation to reduce lightweight plastic bag consumption.
In her criticism of the plastic, Auken had said: "These plastic bags worsen the litter problem by fragmenting into micro-plastics polluting the environment and hindering composting and recycling."
In a statement, the OPA said: "It is time that the myths about oxo-biodegradable plastics peddled by the bioplastics and recycling lobbies are shown once and for all for the nonsense they are. This will also be an opportunity to prove the very many disadvantages of bio-based plastic which make it unsuitable for anything other than niche applications."
Trade body European Bioplastics said it was dismayed that the proposal for ban on oxodegradable plastics had been rejected.
European Bioplastics chairman François de Bie said: "This is crucial, because it retroactively legalizes national legislation of Member States de Bielike Italy and France. Both states have recognized the benefits that are achievable with biodegradable and compostable shopping bags."
"These countries are pioneers in putting the decisive ecological advantages of such bags to good use. This means enhancing the separate collection of biowaste and thereby diverting it from landfill."
Image: The European commission has rejected a proposal to ban oxo-biodegradable plastics. Photo: courtesy of m_bartosch/freedigitalphotos.net.
