Unionplast, Italian plastics processor trade association is campaigning against the new national law banning non-biodegradable shopping bags putting thousands out of work. Meanwhile, proponents of oxy-degradable plastics have written to the Italian government complaining that such materials cannot be considered biodegradable. Unionplast has advertised in local newspapers highlighting the damage the bag ban has already caused to the local industry.
The sector encompassing about 250 companies and around 5000 people, have already laid off staff, he says, or have actually shut down. Chialchia says the threat to employment is equivalent to Fiat closing Mirafiori, one of its main production plants, which is currently the hot topic of debate. Unionplast is calling for the government to reconsider its decision, pointing out, among other things, that the new law knocks a big hole in attempts to promote plastics recycling in Italy. It campaigns for increased use of recyclate in bags. It also indicates that many Italian consumers have adopted the habit of using polyethylene bags several times, and also using them as containers for household plastics packaging rubbish. The association’s call for more emphasis on recycling has been backed up by CARPI, a consortium of Italian recycling companies. It says that biodegradable plastics will interfere not only with recycling operations because of compatibility issues, but also with composting operations; it says bioplastics may not degrade at the same rate as other organic waste.
Meanwhile, the Italian Competition Authority last week responded to requests for clarification by environmentalist group Legambiente and from biopolymer producer Novamont by ruling that polyethylene containing additives that cause it to break up via oxidation cannot be considered biodegradable, and so cannot be used for shopping bags. Representatives from the oxy-degradation sector have since written to government ministers responsible for both environment and economic development, urging them to rule against the decision.
Source: www.prw.com
