Polyolefins litter

Interest in environmentally degradable polymers began more than thirty years ago, when it was first recognized that the commonly used commodity packaging plastics such as polyolefins, poly(vinyl chloride, polystyrene, and poly(ethylene terephthalate) were accumulating in the environments in which they were discarded, after use. Since these polymers were developed for their resistance properties, it should not have been surprising that they were recalcitrant in landfills and as litter when disposed of in a negligent manner. 

A large part of the litter problem consists of polymeric substances, among which polyolefins are preponderent due to their wide application as packaging materials. As was already shown, PO exhibit a significant resistance to micro-organisms attack... 

Manufacturers and users of oxo-biodegradable polyolefins view with concern the development of standards for degradable polymers which demand a high level of mineralization as the primary criterion. This protocol was originally developed for hydro-biodegradable polymers, which will primarily end up in sewage. For these polymers and in this application, such test methods are entirely acceptable but they are totally inappropriate for compost, litter and agricultural applications. 

As already indicated, degradable polyolefins that terminate on the surface of soil as litter have been used in agriculture for many years. No accumulation of these materials has been observed and it will be evident from the evidence already cited that they do indeed biodegrade in fertile soils and compost. 

A major concern of civic organizations and local governments has been the disposal of plastic containers. Bleach bottles and other blow-molded containers from polyolefins are lighter than water and litter the shores of our lakes and streams. What are some ways in which the problem might be attacked ... 

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