Biodegradable* Bags

ECM Biofilms, Inc.

ECM Biofilms, Inc. manufactures an additive that when added to plastics like polyethylene and polystyrene it renders the end products biodegradable*. Plastics manufactured with the ECM additive will break down completely into water, carbon dioxide, and humus in the presence of oxygen or into methane, carbon dioxide, and humus without the presence of oxygen under conditions within a landfill. The two advantages of this biodegradable* technology over other biodegradable technologies are as follows:

  • Plastic bags manufactured using this additive retain the strength, memory, and flexibility of regular polyethylene and polystyrene products. Other biodegradable technologies produce bags that lack the desirable characteristics of plastics.

  • Manufacturers do not have to change their production methods to use this additive making this biodegradable* technology more affordable than other biodegradable technologies.

Plastic bags manufactured using the additive do not degrade until they come in contact with micro-organisms. This means that the plastic bags will not degrade in your warehouse, store, office, or home. The bags will degrade in a landfill or when the bags come into contact with soil in another location. The additive allows the plastics to biodegrade* aerobically or anaerobically (with or without oxygen). The additive also allows the plastics to biodegrade* with or without the presence of light.

The ECM Biofilm technology has been tested using the following test methods:

  • ASTM D5209 “Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Presence of Municipal Sewage Sludge”

  • ISO 14855 / ASTM D5338 “Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures”

  • ASTM 5511 “Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions”

Learn more information on ECM Biofilm technology

Island Plastic Bags, Inc. uses ECM Biofilm technology to manufacture biodegradable* can liners and other bags. For more information about the products Island Plastic Bags, Inc. manufactures using ECM technology, contact us.

*49.28% biodegradation in 900 days under non-typical conditions. No evidence of further biodegradation.

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