Circularity in the value chain is always the preferable solution. Therefore, products should be made from recycled feed stock and designed for recycling after the life cycle.
ADVANSA and APF support the principles of a circular economy, respecting a hierarchy of reduce use, reuse, recycle. Biodegradable products which break down over time in the environment are designed to prevent plastic pollution when the above measures have failed for example in the case of micro plastic pollution from apparel laundry wastewater.
To prevent littering and the misconception that “biodegradable” means “disposable”, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the state of CA restrict what can legally be stated about biodegradable plastics. In some cases companies are required by law to avoid labelling products as biodegradable and should instead focus on the benefit of reducing plastic pollution.
According to the FTC, as long as the time and extent of degradation supported by scientific evidence is stated clearly and prominently, a claim that a plastic item is biodegradable is permitted. The law, however, is more restrictive in some jurisdictions, such as California, or France.
REMOTION® Biodegradable products are comprised of polyester, which is a polymer, and therefore our products could be considered as a “plastic” material per applicable regulations. As a result, we consider the most appropriate approach to marketing claims to be the most conservative approach, leading us to urge our customers to comply with applicable law and to use caution when referencing “biodegradability” in connection with REMOTION® Biodegradable products.
It is important to emphasize that marketing claims and communication must be done in the form of a qualified claim and we invite customers to consult us for guidance in this respect. An unqualified claim (generic and vague) such as “Biodegradable Product”, must be avoided and substituted by a qualified claim, depending on local legal regulations Proper communication in the form of a qualified claim is very important important to avoid being being misunderstood as “Green washing” (misleading marketing, with no technical evidence, trying to convey a false environmental connotation).