Degradable and Biodegradable Claims

The FTC guides state that an unqualified degradable claim for items entering the solid waste stream should be substantiated with competent and reliable scientific evidence that the entire item will fully decompose (breakdown and return to nature i.e., decompose into elements found in nature) within one year after customary disposal . It also emphasises that unqualified degradable/biodegradable claims for items that are customarily disposed of in landfills, incinerators and recycling facilities are deceptive because these locations do not present conditions in which complete decomposition will occur within one year. 

The term fully decompose into elements found in nature equates to the complete abiotic and biotic breakdown of the plastic to CO2, water and cell biomass. This is discussed in detail earlier in the Section 16.3 on Measuring and Reporting Biodegradability . 

Degradable claims can be made if it is clearly and prominently qnalified to the extent necessary to avoid deception regarding the ability of the prodncts or packages to degrade in the environment where it is cnstomarily disposed of, and more importantly the rate and extent of degradation or biodegradation. 

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