Oxo-degradable plastics are being produced and sold in many countries, with society being led to believe that they completely biodegrade in the environment within relatively short timescales. Yet compelling evidence suggests that oxo-degradable plastics take longer than claimed to degrade and that they fragment into small pieces which contribute to microplastics pollution. Over 150 organisations worldwide endorse this statement that proposes banning oxo-degradable plastic packaging worldwide.
Signatories range from leading businesses, industry associations, NGOs, scientists, and elected officials. They include M&S, PepsiCo, Unilever, Veolia, British Plastics Federation Recycling Group, Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association, Packaging South Africa, Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and ten Members of the European Parliament.
To create a plastics system that works, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative, together with the signing organisations, supports innovation that designs out waste and pollution, and keeps products and materials in high-value use in line with the principles of a circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature..
Download
Oxo Statement is available in: English
The paper above was originally published in November 2017. In June 2018 the report was temporarily removed whilst the Foundation investigated queries raised by a third party. Having fully considered these queries and reviewed the evidence available at that time, the paper was republished in May 2019.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s view continues to be that a precautionary approach should be adopted, and that oxo-degradable plastics should be banned, until a significant shift in the balance of evidence materialises based on further detailed research on behaviour in real world environments.
