Biodegradable plastic bags with controlled life

Omniplast Inc., a pioneer in the manufacture of polyethylene bags in North America, returns to the forefront with its biodegradable plastic bags with controlled lifespan. According to the most recent statistics, nearly four million tonnes of plastic products end up in Canadian landfills each year. These wastes will accumulate in the environment for decades, despite the principles of sustainable development.

Omniplast, in partnership with Vancouver-based EPI Environmental Products Inc., has obtained the rights to use Totally Degradable Plastic Additives (TDPA (R)) technology in the manufacturing process of its polyethylene bags. Thanks to an additive, which accelerates the oxidation of plastic, the decomposition of these bags takes from a few months to
five years. Decomposition, activated by ultraviolet light, heat or mechanical stress, occurs over a period varying from a few months to a few years. Once the oxidation of the plastic begins, it becomes fragile and sensitive to the usual degradation agents, such as
mold and germs. Today, less than ten percent of plastic bags are recycled. The rest ends up in landfills or accumulates on the streets. Plastic bag products incorporating the additive that gives them a limited shelf life begin to decompose after a preset period, eventually biodegrade and leave no toxic or harmful residue in the environment.

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contacts:
- Laird Greenshields, Morin Public Relations - tel: +1 514 289 8688 -
laird@morin-relationspubliques.com
Sources: Duty, 15 / 01 / 2005,
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2004/17/c4199.html
Editor: Elodie Pinot, OTTAWA, sciefran@ambafrance-ca.org

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