BCW Office Products, based in the U.K., is making its range of fully biodegradable plastic office products such as files, wallets, dividers and cups to the U.S. by locating an office in Austin ,Texas.
The need for recyclable plastic is urgent since 80% of post consumer waste plastic is still sent to landfills, according to BCW Office. Most plastic is non degradable and can take many hundreds of years to break down. Additionally, some of this plastic waste is incinerated which releases toxic fumes into the environment and requires significant energy to action.
They key to the process for this new plastic is the use of a specially formulated additive that works with existing polyproplene and causes the plastic to fully degrade within 8 to 12 months. When placed in landfill, the plastic product actually ends up as a biomass which feeds the natural bacteria in the soil.
Additionally, the cost of these products is comparable to regular, non-degradable, plastic office products.
"There is simply no need to continue to use non degradable plastics whilst a cost effective and environmentally responsible alternative now exists," said Phil Crawshay, CEO of BCW Office Products.
