Wellman Inc. a recycling facility in South Carolina annually
recycles about 2.4 billion plastic bottles into a polyester fiber
known as Fortrel Ecospun, which ends up in active wear.
A: It's the bag that recycles itself!
Many consumers re-use plastic bags... for awhile. But, very few
consumers recycle them. Instead, the bags are disposed of, and
ultimately end up in a landfill. Granted they do take up less
space in the landfill than other types of packaging, but they
may very well remain in existence there -- perhaps forever! EF/Bags, on the other hand, cannot only be re-used, and
recycled, but, when they are finally disposed of, they degrade
completely and return to dust, taking up no landfill
space! Top
A: The only difference between standard
plastic bags and EF/Bags is the additive that eventually breaks
down the bag into harmless hydrocarbons, and ultimately, dust.
Top
A: EF/Bags are manufactured using
patented additive metal salts, which completely degrade the
bags. Earlier attempts to market "degradable" bags involved a
cornstarch additive. It was later discovered that the starch
simply weakened the bags and made them brittle -- sometimes
causing them to shatter while still in use! And, once in the
landfill, the bags would break down into smaller shreds of
plastic, but never completely retuned to dust as advertised.
Top
A: Degradable EF/D Bags are designed to
break down within 18 months, regardless of disposal method.
Compostable EF/C Bags are specially-designed to break down more
quickly in the controlled environment of commercial composting
facilities. Top
A: Degradable EF/D Bags can be stored for
18 months without loss of properties, unless exposed to heat in
excess of 120º Fahrenheit or direct sunlight continuously
for several days. Compostable EF/C Bags, while designed to
break down sooner, still have a shelf life of nine months,
with the same storage parameters as EF/D bags.
Top
A: EF/Bags come in the same wide variety
of styles that all plastic bags come in: retail bags, take-out
bags, food packaging bags in grocery stores, trash bags, etc.
Top
A: Shelf life is the term or period that
a degradable bag (earth-friendly) can be stored in moderate
climatic conditions without accelerating the degradation
process, making the bags unusable. Top
A: Yes, they do cost slightly more
because of the special additive, the special manufacturing and
handling required, and the use of water-based inks, in order to
protect the environmental integrity of the product.
Top
