The benefits of OXO

This article courtesy: www.daijiworld.com

 

Seminar Clears Misconceptions About Plastic

Mangalore, Oct 5

A presentation by Goldwin Fernandes on plastics (confining to polyolefin's, PE and PP) in comparison with other packaging material at the City Corporation, was held here on Thursday October 4, in the presence of the MCC environmental engineer Manjunath Shetty , pollution control officer Laxman and the task force.

Addressing the MCC officers, Fernandes explained and clarified certain facts and misconceptions about conventional plastic before moving on to biodegradable plastic and its comparison with paper bags, non-woven PP and cloth bags.

Generally the negatives of plastic bags are highlighted and compared with positives of paper bags and cloth. But Fernandes put forward facts, figures and scientific proof on how the positives of using plastic bags, especially environment friendly oxo- biodegradable and compostable plastic bags outweigh the positives of using paper bags or cloth bags.

Many life cycle analyses of plastic bags in comparison with other materials were cited. The presentation showed that resources used and emissions generated for the manufacture of plastic bags were far less as compared to the manufacture of other materials. Plastics are also safer, cheaper and more economical than paper bags. Plastics are safe for use in agriculture, medicine and food industry as they are certified food grade as per Indian standards specifications.

He showed as per Boustead report that if all plastic bags were replaced by paper bags there would be a drastic increase in greenhouse gases and environment pollution. Speaking on biodegradable plastic he said that the two main biodegradable plastics used are oxo-biodegradable which are to be tested as per ASTM D6954-04 and compostable (hydro-biodegradable) as per ASTM D6400. He said both these are certified and proven.

He said that service life of the bag can be set for oxo-biodegradable after which it will degrade and biodegrade leaving no harmful residue. The degraded fragments are not plastic but are like materials similar to natures waste and nature's processes act on it and biodegrade them. Oxo-biodegradable material is safe for contact with food.

Fernandes said that fermenting corn or sugarcane gives lactic acid which when polymerized gives PLA which is used in the manufacture of compostable bags .The life of the bags is about one year and it is fully compostable.

During the general interaction the pollution control showed the test report which was received from CIPET.  It showed that the non-woven bags which were being passed off as cloth bags were in fact plastic bags made of polypropylene. The recent 2011 LCA published by the UK government's environment agency has indicated that global warming generated by this specific material non-woven PP bag is much more than that of a conventional plastic bag and not environment friendly. He pointed out that polyolefin's are a different category of plastics and are safe for the environment and for food contact, but due to misinformation considered hazardous.

 

It is somewhat ironic that the Delhi Government want to preserve water and the forests, but at the same time, replace plastic with paper! and in doing so, they will destroy the forests and pollute the water through production.


Water and Forests: Basic Necessity for Maintaining Life and Biodiversity
(The Human Voice)
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012

World Forestry Day has been celebrated since 1972 as a day to highlight the importance of forests and calling for urgent attention towards the protection and preservation of �our forest heritage�. The very next day, 22nd March 2013 will be celebrated as World Water Day (WWD), also in coordination with the FAO. World Water Day 2012 was themed on �Water and Food Security� and highlighted the importance of securing water resources for feeding the rapidly increasing global population. WWD 2012 was also more significant this year as it came exactly two weeks after the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply & Sanitation�s report that Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for drinking water has been met! This has also become one of the first MDGs to have been achieved so far.
Water is the basic essence of life. It will be no exaggeration to say that a majority of the world�s available water gets recycles and becomes available because of the forests. Forests and water are therefore critical for satisfying the ever increasing water demand of the even more rapidly urbanizing global economy. At the same time, our forests hold tremendously diverse life forms and the survival and sustenance of this biodiversity requires, more often than not, the availability of water in some form or the other. Thus, both water and forests are equally important natural resources which are required to ensure a flourishing and healthy environment as well as sustainable existence of the human civilization. And a decline in either of these resources would mean a degradation of both the environment and the human society. The situation is particularly serious in countries where there is population pressure on the land, such as in the tropics of Asia. According to the FAO, this is a problem of historic importance in which food production and forest management are the interlocked elements and it is widely felt that the forests have the key.
While our forests are a resource which most of us cannot directly manage, conservation of water is definitely something we can all contribute to in an effective manner. A big way in which we can do so is to regulate our dietary habits in an ethical manner. Coping with population growth and ensuring access to nutritious food to everyone call for a series of actions we can all help with:
� follow a healthier, sustainable diet;
� consume less water-intensive products;
� reduce the scandalous food wastage: 30% of the food produced worldwide is never eaten and the water used to produce it is definitively lost!
� produce more food, of better quality, with less water.
Of late, the world has also become more sensitive to virtual water, the kind hidden in the production and distribution of resources, such as food resources. Virtual water (also known as embedded water) refers to the water used in the production of a good or service usually for the purpose of trade. Producing 1 kilogram of wheat drinks up 1,500 litres of water! There are 7 billion people to feed on the planet today and another 2 billion are expected to join by 2050. The state of the worlds water resource and the tremendous pressure it is going to face can thus be imagined. A simultaneous pressure will also be faced by all other natural resources, beginning with our forests. Much needs to be done to avoid this imminent resource deprivation. Everyone, including the policy makers and politicians, researchers and scientists, planners and executives and the civil society, needs to become more sensitive and ready for taking pro-active steps towards the conservation of global, national and local water and forest resources.
Closer home in Delhi, River Yamuna, the principal fresh water resource for the National Capital Territory (NCT) continues to flow like a drain. Despite expensive measures to rid it from pollution there is little, if any, improvement in the rivers water quality in Delhi (and downstream). Water remains a priced commodity in the NCT and every time upstream Haryana discharges more polluted water into Yamuna as before it enters Delhi, water treatment plants in the city have to be shut down, a fact to which every parched Delhiite becomes a gloomy witness. Fortunately, the Government of Delhi accepts that for ecological sustainability, one-third of total geographical area of any state needs to be under green cover. Consequently, several plantation activities along with creation and upkeep of city forests and biodiversity parks has been a key mandate of the Government. However, when it comes to securing water resources, instead of optimizing its own water resources, Delhi does not hesitate to search far and wide for water  even if it means damaging forestland upstream of the NCT. This attitude of affluence, both political and economic, may help get things done in an anthropocentric system of doing things, it is nothing less than a disaster in-the-making in terms of Natures ways of doing things. And the sooner our planners and policy makers realize this, the sooner can we ensure sustainable urban development of India's national capital.
Courtesy: Delhi Greens Blog

This is part of "The Human Voice" programme of Wockhardt Foundation.

Times of India

 

No stay on plastic ban, HC promises quick verdict

Nov 24, 2012,

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday refused to stay the Delhi government's notification imposing a blanket ban on plastic bags in the capital.

A division bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw declined to entertain a submission on behalf of a plastic manufactures' association to stay the ban, but promised the petitioner it will dispose of the matter soon. The case will now come up for hearing on November 27.

HC was hearing the All India Plastic Industries Association's (AIPIA) plea against the government's notification imposing a blanket ban on the usage of plastic bags from November 23. It asked the court to "declare impugned the notification dated October 23, 2012, null and void being ultra vires to the Parent Act, i.e. Environment Protection Act, 1968, and rules framed thereunder". The petitioners contended that the notification also violated their fundamental rights.

They had earlier told the court that the government exceeded its jurisdiction while issuing the notification as only the central government is authorized to do it. The plea said the government acted in "haste without deciding the question of legal competence" while issuing the notification. It claimed the issue of jurisdiction is pending before the Supreme Court.

"The Delhi government in a fanatic pursuit to endorse its pre-determined agenda of completely closing down the plastic bags industry in arbitrary and unreasonable manner, brushed aside the objections of the petitioners," the manufacturers said.

The petition further argued, "The notification, banning the manufacturing of plastic bags would jeopardize livelihoods of lakhs of people directly and indirectly associated with the plastic bags industry and the business of petitioner and constituent members shall come to a standstill."

According to the notification, no person can manufacture, import, store, sell or transport any kind of plastic bag in the city. With the ban coming into effect from Friday, all kinds of plastic bags, even those used to cover magazines, books or invitation cards, will not be allowed. The notification bars even garbage bags from being used. The ban, however, will not affect the use of plastic specified under the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998. Plastic used to pack food products such as milk, flour bags and plastic cups largely used by tea vendors will be allowed.

Times of India

21.11.12

Plastic ban to begin with carry bags only

 

NEW DELHI: The ban on plastic bags will finally be imposed in the city on November 23 but for the time being, only carry bags will be outlawed.

The ban, notified in October, says that no person shall manufacture, import, store, sell or transport any kind of plastic bag in the area that makes up the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. It stipulates that no person, including a shopkeeper, vendor, wholesaler, retailer, trader and hawker, shall sell or store or use any kind of plastic carry bag for storing or dispensing eatables or non-eatable goods or materials. However, in the absence of viable alternatives, government officials said that they cannot clamp down on packaging material and will only start with carry bags.

"Nothing is likely to change overnight but this time we are hopeful that the ban will be more effective. More agencies have been roped in to carry out raids and we will start by making examples of big stores and shops to discourage others from using the bags," said an official from the environment department.

Manufacturing of plastic bags will also come to a complete halt in the capital from Friday. "This is one area where we will not allow any leniency. The manufacturers have gone to court with the issue but so far there are no directions and we will proceed as per our law," said the official.

This is the second effort by the Delhi government to ban the plastic bag. In its first attempt in 2009 it had failed to make any dent in the usage of plastic bags as monitoring has been the sole headache of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

"The department continues to be short of manpower which is why more agencies have been roped in. Certain segments like big stores will also be monitored first. Our idea is not to imprison or fine people and also do not want the law to turn into a tool for harassment for small vendors and shopkeepers," said a government official.

The earlier version of the ban had implied that no plastic bags, including packaging material was to be permitted. This included garbage disposal bags, carry bags without handles and plastic bags used in grocery stores for storing spices and pulses. With no clear alternative in mind, the government will be holding a meeting with stakeholders to decide on the implementation of the ban.

"We have switched to bags without handles for selling meat but are still not sure whether this is permitted or not," said Abdul Qureshi, a meat seller in Lakshmi Nagar. Others like Bhim Singh who runs a small dhaba in east Delhi have switched to plastic containers.

"It is slightly more expensive but so far we haven't had the need to hike prices. Int e long run we may have to consider that option," he said.

 

Mangalorean.com Oxo-Biodegradable:The Truth Above The Myths

07 Nov, 2012

By Goldwin Fernandes Mangalore: There is an emerging trend in the packaging industry today and its name is oxo-biodegradable plastic carry bag. By now most of the general public has either heard, experienced or read about this new type of packaging technology. But has it gained the popularity it deserves? Why is it not in large scale circulation? There are still a number of misconceptions about this kind of carry bag simply because it carries the tag line of “plastic”. Because polyolefins are not made by nature, many environmentalists assume that there are no biological mechanisms for their biodegradation. They ignore the fact that abiotic processes play a vital role in biodegradation. What then is oxo-biodegradable plastic? Conventional plastic bags used weren't biodegradable, but now can be made biodegradable by adding certain transition metal compounds. These bags are economical and better for the environment. The commonly used transition metal ions in commercial oxo-biodegradable plastics are manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel. None of these are “heavy metals” and none have been shown to be eco-toxic. These should not be confused with toxic heavy metals like lead , mercury, cadmium and chromium which are not used in the manufacture of Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic bags. At the end of its useful life the plastic bag falls apart and completely biodegrades leaving no harmful residue. And whats more interesting to note is that the plastic does not just fragment, but will be consumed by bacteria and fungi. When it has reached the stage of fragmentation it is no longer a plastic, its just like any other natures wastes, and , is biodegradable in the same way as that of nature's waste , such as straw and twigs. This process will continue till the entire material has biodegraded to nothing more than carbon dioxide , water and humus . It does not leave any fragments of plastic in the soil (ASTM 6954-04). Therefore biodegradation is the process of breaking down of organic substances with the help of other living substances like bacteria and microbes. Ours is a tropical climate. Biodegradation is favored by a tropical climate which in turn favours the growth and proliferation of temperature loving bacteria known as thermophiles. They aid in the rapid oxo biodegradtion of oxo biodegradable bags also know as Life Controlled Plastics. Although oxo-biodegradable plastics were invented for use in packaging and in agriculture over 30 years ago, they had not until recently gained the popularity. One misconception is that oxo-biodegradable plastic causes pollution of oceans and seas due to plastic wastes floating in the ocean currents and consequent damage to sea mammals that ingest them by mistake as food. In other reports, mammals have become entangled in some forms of packaging and in particular by netting from fishing vessels. They are unlikely to be oxo-biodegradable polyolefins since most of these materials float on the surface where they are rapidly oxidised under the influence of UV light and oxygen. Another common misconception is that transition metal ions that are present in oxo-biodegradable plastic is harmful to soil and has adverse effects on humans through the food chain but on reality a risk analysis carried out by the UK Food Standards Agency has shown that all the important transition metal ions used as catalysts of oxo-biodegradation are widely distributed in agricultural soils and taken up by the foods that humans eat, and in drinking water. Some of them, typically iron, cobalt and manganese are essential trace elements, all obtained from foodstuffs and drinking water. For example, high concentrations of cobalt are found in fish (0.01 mg/kg), nuts(0.09 mg/kg), green leafy vegetables (0.009 mg/kg) and fresh cereals (0.01 mg/kg).Cobalt is also included in some multi constituent licensed medicines, at a maximum daily dose of 0.25 mg. Cobalt is an essential trace element and Co deficiency has not been reported in humans presumably because of its widespread availability from food and water. Similarly, nickel is present in a number of enzymes in plants and microorganisms, and in humans it influences iron absorption and metabolism. It is found in a variety of foods as ionic Ni, particularly in pulses, Oates and Nuts. Oxo – biodegradable plastic is believed to leave residual plastic particles in the soil after its biodegradation, but this is not true either. Oxo-biodegradable plastics, after modification by environmental oxidation, are no longer plastics. Before oxidation, they are hydrophobic and cannot support the growth of micro-organisms, After exposure to environmental influences (oxygen, light and/or heat) they act as nutrients for bacteria and fungi, which colonise the surface of the oxidised plastic. And whats more interesting to note is that the plastic does not just fragment, but will be consumed by bacteria and fungi. When it has reached the stage of fragmentation it is no longer a plastic, and , is biodegradable in the same way as that of nature's waste , such as straw and twigs. This process will continue till the entire plastic has biodegraded to nothing more than carbon dioxide , water and humus . It does not leave any fragments of plastic in the soil (ASTM 6954-04). Oxo-biodegradable plastics can be recycled with conventional plastics. They can also be incinerated for complete energy recovery. Any bag cannot be called a biodegradable bag unless tested under a standard specification.Tests performed according to ASTM D6954-04 tell the industry and consumers what they need to know about the bag ; degradable, biodegradable and non phyto-toxic. Many plastic bags end up in landfills due to the collection of municipal solid waste. It is a fact that the temperatures in landfill is much higher than the ambient temperatures and has a lot of microbial activity and moisture. At the surface and several meters below there is enough oxygen and water for aerobic biodegradation of organic matter to take place. When oxo biodegradable plastic is used these factors speed up the process of degradation. This will allow free flow of air and water through the upper layers of the land fill which will in turn biodegrade organic materials rapidly in the MSW aerobically and thus eliminate the production of deadly methane. This again reduces the volume of waste in the landfill and increase the life of the land fill. Having sorted out these common misunderstandings it is clear that oxo-biodegradable plastic is not an evil, but instead the need of the hour for a safe and environment friendly form of packaging. We need biodegradable plastics today. Oxo- Biodegradable plastics pass all the usual and compulsory eco-toxicity tests carried out in accordance with the international standards laid down by American Standards for Testing and Materials (ASTM D6954-04). Action needs to be taken today to switch to biodegradable plastic before millions of tonnes of synthetic waste is accumulated in the environment . Oxo-Biodegradable bag is the new technology bag that uses low resources compared to other types of materials, it is recyclable, incinerate-able, safe for environment, food grade, FDA approved and also biodegradable.. The new age mantra!!!! .

KSIA opposes administration's move to ban plastic

 Nov 12, 2012

Times of India

 

MANGALORE: The Kanara Small Industries Association (KSIA) has opposed imposition of ban on Plastic Carry bags and Plastic articles in Dakshina Kannada District from November 15. B A Nazeer, president, KSIA said this is a shocking news on the industry in the district where more than 50 small scale industries have made investments with financial assistance from various banks and financial institutions like Karnataka State Financial Corporation.

Besides this a large number of workers, most of whom are women have been employed in the industries with life time facilities like insurance and Provident Fund. Any blanket ban on use of plastic carry bags in the district will not only effects entrepreneurs financially but also financial institutions. A localized ban will not yield any results but will be an injustice the entrepreneurs of Dakshina Kannada district, Nazeer contended.

About more than 5000 people are employed directly and another 10,000 people indirectly in more than 50 units in the district. Total ban on plastic carry bags will affect the massive employment provided by the industry. In this connection it is to be noted that after long deliberations at the national level, the order of Plastic Waste Management Rules 2011 has been submitted to Supreme Court which has Apex Court has accepted.

The Central Government by its order dated February 4, 2011 has already stated that thickness of carry bags should be minimum of 40 microns and clearly defined the role of municipalities and producers of plastic carry bags. Stricter implementation of above rules will definitely address environmental concerns related to plastics. This association has already offered to join hands with the government and district administration to eradicate this menace

The state government must formulate a state policy in this regard instead of local and regional policies for stricter implementation of rules, Nazeer said adding KSIA opposed 'unjustified and illegal raids' by MCC officials on trade establishments and seizure of plastic carry bags and also other bags without giving acknowledgment for the seized goods, thereby creating fear among traders and users. This has ruined the Diwali business of the traders.

KSIA strongly opposes raids on trade establishments since no order has been issued by the district administration. KSIA urged the Chief Minister to intervene immediately and instruct the district administration not to impose ban on carry bags above 40 microns as prescribed in above mentioned rules. They must be given at least one year to study consequences in this regard and plastic manufacturers will adhere to ban on less than 40 microns carry bags.

 

Delhi govt sets Nov 24 deadline for plastic ban

Darpan Singh, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, October 28, 2012

The Delhi government has set a November 24 deadline for the enforcement of a blanket ban on the manufacture, import, sale, storage and use of plastic carrybags, sheets, films or tubs — irrespective of their thickness.
Without any feasible alternative in sight, the order also bans

plastic sheets used to line dust bins. But the ban will not affect the use of plastic carrybags specified under the bio-medical waste (management and handling), rules, 1998.

Plastic used to pack food products such as milk and flour bags — in which goods are sealed prior to use — will be allowed.

“The state cabinet passed the ban order on September 11 and the government notified it on October 23. A copy of the notification has been uploaded on the government’s environment department website. Enforcement has to begin a month after the date of notification,” said a top government official, who is part of a team authorised to enforce the ban.

OP Ratra, who was a member of the national plastic waste management task force of the ministry of environment and forests (1996-97), said, “There are about 1,000 big units in Delhi that manufacture plastic carrybags of various types. The ban will hit about 50,000 people working at these units.”

Praveen Khandelwal of the Confederation of All India Traders’ Association said, “If we put together units of all sizes, the number is around 4,500 and if we include people involved in distribution and supply, about 2.5 lakh will lose jobs because of this ban.”

While Ratra, who represents the plastic lobby, says use of plastic is not harmful if it is recycled properly and not littered, Khandelwal says the government must provide an alternative.

“We have launched a campaign to promote alternatives such as jute, cloth and recycled paper bags. Starch-based compostable material (confirming to biodegradability tests as per IS 17088 Standard) may be used for making carrybags as a substitute to plastic,” said another senior government official.

“We’re providing people with a list of alternative bag manufacturing units and specification for biodegradable plastic bags,” he said.

 

 

Zee News

HC questions Delhi govt on plastic ban

 

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Tuesday issued notice to the central and city governments on a petition filed by the All India Plastic Industries Association (AIPIA), challenging the government's notification imposing a blanket ban on plastic bags in the capital.

A division bench of Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw sought a reply from the city government and others in the matter and posted it for further hearing Nov 23, the day the city government is set to implement the notification.
The court also issued notice to all the civic bodies, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Delhi Cantonment Board and Green Planet Waste Management Pvt. Ltd. in this regard.

The AIPIA moved the court challenging the draft notification issued by the Delhi government Oct 23 that imposed a blanket ban on plastic from Nov 23, under which no person can manufacture, import, store, sell or transport any kind of plastic bag in the city.

From Nov 23, all kinds of plastic bags, even those used to cover magazines, books or invitation cards, will not be allowed. Garbage bags will not be allowed too.

However, the ban will not affect the use of plastic specified under the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998.

Plastic used to pack food products such as milk, cooking oil, flour bags and plastic cups largely used by tea vendors will be allowed.

Approaching the court, the plastic manufacturers association said: "Declare impugned notification dated 23 Oct, 2012, null and void being ultra vires to the Parent Act, i.e. Environment Protection Act, 1968, and rules framed there under. The notification is also violating fundamental rights of petitioner."

Senior advocate Arvind Nigam appearing for petitioner said the city government exceeded its jurisdiction while issuing notification as only the central government can issue such a notification.

The plea said that the government acted in "haste without deciding the question of legal competence" while issuing the notification. It claimed that the issue of jurisdiction is pending before the Supreme Court.

"The Delhi government in a fanatic pursuit to endorse its predetermined agenda of completely closing down the plastic bags industry in arbitrary and unreasonable manner, brushed aside the objections of the petitioners," said the plea.

The petition said: "The notification, banning the manufacturing of plastic bags would jeopardise livelihoods of lakhs of people directly and indirectly associated with the plastic bags industry and the business of petitioner and constituent members shall come to a standstill."

 

Indian Express

 

Plastic manufacturers move HC against ban on plastic bags

A plastic manufacturers' association on Tuesday approached the Delhi High Court challenging the city government's notification imposing a blanket ban on plastic bags in the capital.

A bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw issued notices to the Centre and the city government and sought their replies by November 23 on a plea by All India Plastic Industries Association (AIPIA) against the October 23 notification.

The notification, under which no person can manufacture, import, store, sell or transport any kind of plastic bag in the city, will come into force from November 23.

The court also issued notice to all the civic bodies, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi Cantonment Board and Green Planet Waste Management Pvt Ltd.

According to the notification, from November 23 all kinds of plastic bags, including those used to cover magazines, books, invitation cards, will not be allowed. Garbage bags too will not be allowed.

The ban, however, will not affect the use of plastic specified under the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998.

Plastic used to pack food products such as milk, cooking oil, flour bags as well as plastic cups, largely used by tea vendors, are also allowed.

The plea by plastic manufacturers' association said, "Declare impugned notification of October 23, 2012 null and void being ultra vires to the parent Act, i.e. the Environment Protection Act and Rules framed thereunder. The notification also violates the fundamental rights of the petitioner."

Senior advocate Arvind Nigam appearing for the petitioner said the city government has exceeded its jurisdiction in issuing the notification.

He said, "The government exceeded its jurisdiction in issuance of the notification in haste without deciding the question of legal competence and the issue of jurisdiction is pending before the Supreme Court."

"The Delhi government in a fanatic pursuit to endorse its predetermined agenda of completely closing down the plastic bags industry brushed aside the objections of the petitioners in arbitrary and unreasonable manner," the petition said.

It added, "The notification, banning the manufacturing of plastic bags would jeopardise the livelihoods of lakhs of people directly or indirectly associated with the plastic bags industry and the business of petitioner and the constituent members shall come to standstill."