Northeast Recycling Council adopts degradable additives in plastic packaging policy

The Northeast Recycling Council, Inc (NERC), based in Brattleboro, has joined the national movement expressing concern about the use of degradable additives in plastic packaging by adopting a policy position in opposition to the use of these additives.
‘The Board determined that this practice currently has a negative impact on plastics recycling markets and the effectiveness of plastics recycling in general’ President of the Board Sarah Kite reported. ‘The issue was discussed at some length last fall and after conducting additional research into the issue, voted unanimously to support the new policy,’ she added.
‘Because the environmental benefit of degradable additives is at best unclear, as is their potential effect on plastics recycling, the Board determined to oppose the use of degradable additives in plastic packaging at this time,’ Executive Director Lynn Rubinstein observed. ‘The policy makes clear that NERC fully supports additional research into the both the effects and impacts of degradable additives on the recyclability or composting of plastic packaging, and the development of fully recyclable or compostable plastic packaging.’
The full policy is available on the NERC Website:http://www.nerc.org/documents/degradable_additions_in_packaging.pdf.
NERC is a non-profit organization committed to promoting environmental and economic sustainability through materials management that supports source reduction, recycling, composting, and environmentally preferable purchasing. NERC is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012. For more information, visit its Website atwww.nerc.org.