Oxo-degradable plastics is Bio-degradable plastics or not?

Source reduction, recycling and application of degradable alternatives are regarded as three effective routes to solve the problem of plastic pollution by the domestic plastic governance policy. 

Among them, degradable alternative materials are placed high hopes. Among the various plastic degradable technologies that have been hotly discussed, oxidative degradation technology has been judged to be "out" in the plastic governance policies of many countries, such as France, Germany and many other EU countries, as well as North American countries such as Canada that recently issued a ban. why?

Oxo-degradable plastic (oxo-degradable plastic) refers to adding degradation additives (oxidative biodegradable masterbatch, photosensitizer, starch, etc.) to traditional plastics (PE, PP, PS, PET, etc.). Under the action of light and heat, the plastic undergoes an oxidation reaction, and when a certain amount of microorganisms exist, it will eventually degrade.

Such plastics have the possibility of theoretical biodegradation. But in fact, the degradation conditions are relatively harsh, and it is difficult to occur in nature. It can only be degraded under the condition of commercial biocomposting.

Relevant studies have shown that oxo-degradable plastics ① cause microplastic pollution in the environment because they cannot be properly biodegraded; ② cannot be composted; ③ have a negative impact on the recycling of traditional plastics; ④ cannot prove to have environmental benefits.

Some scholars and experts believe that the main raw material of photo-oxidatively degradable plastics is still PE. From a deep level, oxidative degradation just breaks large pieces of plastic into small fragments invisible to the naked eye, and does not achieve full degradation.

According to the current environmental protection standards of various countries in the world, oxo-degradable plastic belongs to rupture plastics and should not be attributed to biodegradable plastics. Degradable plastics should be tested using standard test methods that can reflect performance changes, and their categories should be determined according to their degradation methods and life cycles. Without combining the types of degradable plastics and their degradation environmental conditions, generally speaking of degradable plastics does not mean that such plastics can be completely degraded into substances that are harmless to the environment.