Plastic bags are a hot topic! We indulged in much debate on the subject when we decided to extend our household range to include them. One theme rung unanimously - if you're going to use plastic bags, do so sparingly and reuse when possible.
Re-use isn't always an option (like when it comes to bin bags), so we've gone with a degradable option. Degradable is different from bio-degradable in that the former breaks down (within 3 years, as opposed to 100 years for your average plastic bag) when exposed to sunlight and air. This means you don't have to bury it in a compost heap.
We're also looking into recycled plastics and bags made from alternative materials such as rice or potato starch. So, these may not be perfect but they're a step in the right direction and better than your average completely non-degradable bin bag.
Plastic is strong, durable, versatile, lightweight, safe and inexpensive. It is made from a by-product of oil refining which would otherwise be wasted, so nobody is importing oil to make plastic products. However, the problem identified by governments and NGOs around the world is that plastic does last rather too long if it gets into the environment and especially in the oceans.
Symphony Environmental claims to have found the answer to this problem. They developed an additive called d2w to put into the plastic at the extrusion stage and this makes the finished product degradable. This means it will break down to nothing with exposure to sun and air. This is different from biodegradable, which needs a biologically active environment to help it break down.
The company is relatively small - they have 28 staff, and they work from an office near Elstree Studios, where the 1st Superman movie was filmed.
A blend of virgin high performance resins with 1% d2w Oxo-biodegradable additive
Size: 17.7 x 22.5cm (7" x 9"). No seal mechamism.