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UNITED STATES FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

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Docket No. 9358 

ORIGINAL 

In the Matter of 

ECM Biofrlms, Inc., 

a corporation, also d/b/a 

Enviroplastics International 

Motion of 

CALIFORNIANS AGAINST WASTE 

FOR LEAVE TO FILE AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF 

in support of the position of Complaint Counsel 

Howard F. Willdns ID 

Elizabeth Sarine 

REMY MOOSE MANLEY LLP 

555 Capitol Mall, Ste. 800 

Sacramento, California 95814 

Telephone: (916) 443-2745 

. Facsimile: (916) 443-9017 

Counsel for Proposed Amicus Curiae 

Californians Against Waste 

February 27,2015 
Pursuant to 16 C.P.R. 3.52(j), Califomians Against Waste respectfully moves for an 

Order granting it leave to file the accompanying amicus curiae brief in support of the position of 

the Complaint Counsel. 

Californians Against Waste (CAW) is an environmental non-profit advocacy 

organization dedicated to conserving resources, preventing pollution, and protecting the 

environment through the development, promotion and implementation of waste reduction and 

recycling policies and programs. Established in 1977, CAW works closely with the waste and 

recycling industries and other stakeholders on these issues. CAW has provided expe1t testimony, 

comments, and letters to local, state, and federal agencies and legislative bodies on a variety of 

waste and recycling topics. CAW is also an active member in American Society for Testing and 

Materials (ASTM)1 which is a collection of scientists and technical experts engaged in the 

intemationa1 standards making process for a variety of subject matters, including plastics 

recycling and product end-of-life standards. 

In2011, CAW sponsored Senate Bill 567 (DeSaulnier), a California-specific law that 

prohibits the "biodegradable" claim on any plastic product, and limits "compostable" claims to 

plastic products that can meet ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868, or ASTM D7081 standard 

specifications. Although the law is limited to products purchased in California, it has far reaching 

implications. Decision makers in California have passed laws that not only change the market 

due to its large. si:ze, but that also create a chain reaction when other states follow suit. 

In a continued effort to protect both consumers and the environment from false and 

misleading claims of biodegradability, CAW leads an enforcement campaign to ensure that the 

products are compliant with the California labeling law, and that they meet the FTC's recently 

revised Green Guides in markets outside of the state. (See 16 C.F .R. 260.1-260.17 [Green 
Guides]) Consumers should not be misled into paying a premium for allegedly environmentally 

friendly products that do not follow through with their end-of-life claims or other environmental 

claims. Some claims, such as "bl.odegradable" claims, can actually encourage more Ct?nsumption 

or littering and negatively impact the enviromnent. Moreover, the recycling industry is 

negatively impacted by additives in some biodegradable products, which degrade the quality of 

their finished product. · 

~AW represents the public interest and perspective on the issue ofbiodegradable 

plastics. It is respectfully submitted that CAW's public interest, non-competitive status, and 

concem for reliable and honest environmental marketing claims can provide the FTC with a 

useful perspective in detennining the level and type of substantiation required for the challenged 

advertising claims. · 

In the accompanying brief, CAW argues -first that, to the extent that the Administrative 

Law Judge's Initial Decision may be interpreted as: (1) disapproving of the Green Guides' 

approach to tmqualified claims ofbiodegradability, and (2) approving of the use of a 

''biodegradable" label without the need for any qualifications or scientific basis as to tl1e ·length 

nf time in which biodegradation will occur, a different conclusion should be reached. A finding 

that ECM's unqualified "biodegradable" claims here are not deceptive would effectively 

eviscerate any meaningful guidance as to how industry should advertise the biodegradable 

attributes of certain plastics. Second, CAW respectfully requests the FfC issue a decision that 

both: (1) prevents ECM's harmful use of a deceptive qualified claim of biodegradability, an.d (2) 

clears up the rumecessary ambiguity left by the ALJ's decision as to the general appropriateness 

of a "some period greater than a year" qualified claim. Even if it is not false on its face, a "some 

2 
period greater than a year" qualified claim by ECM or any other seller ofbioplastics is 

misleading and so broad it is meaningless. 

CAW believes the issues presented in its accompanying brief are particularly pressing 

because of the growing population of people with eco-friendly attitudes that manufacturers are 

taking advantage of and targeting with advertisements. At the same time there continues to be a 

general unfamiliarity or lack of public awareness regarding the reliability of many environmental 

claims. Thus, it is important that biodegradability claims are as clear and as accurate as possible 

to prevent consumer confusion and resulting harm to the environment. 

For the foregoing reasons, CAW respectfully requests an Order for leave to file the 

accompanying amicus curiae brief in support of the position of Complaint Counsel. 

3 

Respectfully submitted, 

Howard F. Wilkins ill 

Elizabeth Sarine 

REMY MOOSE MANLEY LLP 

555 Capitol Mall, Ste. 800 

Sacramento, California 95814 

Telephone: (916) 443-2745 

Facsimile: (916) 443-9017 

Counsel for Proposed Amicus Cmiae 

Cabfornians Against Waste 
PUBLIC DOCUMENT 

UNITED STATES FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

Docket No. 9358 

In the Matter of 

ECM Biofdms, Inc., 

a corporation, also d/b/a 

Enviroplastics International 

AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF of 

CALIFORNIANS AGAINST WASTE 

in support of the position of Complaint Counsel 

Howard F. Wilkins ID 

Elizabeth Sarine 

REMY MOOSE MANLEY LLP 

555 Capitol Mall, Ste. 800 

Sacramento, California 95814 

Telephone: (916) 443-2745 

Facsimile: (916) 443-9017 

Counsel for Proposed Amicus Curiae 

Californians Against Waste 

February 27,2015 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................. i 

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES .......................................................................................................... ii 

INTEREST OF AMICUS CURIAE ............................................................................................... 1 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT .................................................................................................... 2 

ARGUMENT .................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. The Growing Market for Products with Enviromnentally Friendly Claims Needs FTC's 

Guidance .............. , ................................................................................................................ 3 

2. Th~ ALJ's Findings and Conclusions Could Potentially Have Broad, Negative 

Implications on Consumers and the Environment. ....................................... , ........... : .......... 5 

3. Relevant Law and Standards for Determining Whether or Not Claims Are Deceptive ...... 8 

4. Standard Specifications Provide Different Information Than Testing Methods ............... 11 

5. The FTC Needs to Correct the Deficiencies in the ALJ's Initial Decision ....................... 12 

a. The FTC should clear up the ambiguity left by the ALJ' s Decision as to the 

minimrun level ofbiodegradation necessary to support unqualified claims .................. 13 

b. The FTC needs to provide more guidance on qualified claims ...................................... 15 

c. Respondent's substantiation does not meet the level demanded by the relevant 

scientific conununity ...................................................................................................... 16 

6. The FTC Should Require More Transparency About Test Results ................................... 18 

CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................. 18 
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES 

Page(s) 

In re Adventist Health System/West 

No. 9234, 117 F.T.C. 224 (Apr. 1, 1994) ..................................... ; ............................................... 10 

In re POM Wonderful LLC . 

No. 9344, 155 F.T.C. 1, 2013 WL 8364895 (Jan. 10, 2013) . ....... ................................ ...... 2, 10, 11 

In re Removatron International Corp., 

No. 9200, 111 F.T.C. 206, 1988 WL 1025512 (Nov. 4, 1988) ............................................... ...... 10 

Regulations 

16 C.P.R. 260.1-260.17 ................................................................................................................... 1 

16 C.P.R. 260.7 ........................................................... ........................... .................... .................... 11 

16 C.P.R. 260.8(b)-(d) ... .-................................................................ : ................................... 4, 10, 16 

Miscellaneous 

Bioplastics Industry Overview Guide, Society ofthe Plastics Industry Bioplastics Council 

April2012 (attached as Exhibit A) . ................... ............................................................................. 3 

CalRecycle (formerly California Integrated Waste Management Board), June 2007, Perfonnance 

Evaluation of Environmentally Degradable Plastic Packaging and Disposable Food Service Ware 

-Final Report, at p. 3 (excerpts attached as Exhibit E) .............................................................. 7, 8 

Cal Recycle, Bioplastics in California, September 30, 2013 (excerpts attached as Exhibit F) . ...... 4 

EPA, Wastes - Resource Conservation - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Compo sting, "Frequent 

Questions," available at http://www.epa.gov/composting/questions.htm ..................................... 4 

NAPCOR press release, May 3, 2011, Degradable Additives Provide Poor End-Of-Life Option 

For PET Packaging, Says NAPCOR (attached as Exhibit D) .......... . .... .. .............. ............ 7 

New York Times, February 25,2015, Food Waste Is Becoming Serious Economic and 

Environmental Issue, Report Says, available at http://www.nytimes.com/20 15/02/26/us/foodwaste-is-becoming-serious-economic-and-environmental-issue-report-says.html ....................... 5 

Sustainable Packaging Council, Assessing the Greenhouse Gas h11pacts of Biodegradation in 

Landfills, 2011 (attached as Exhibit B) ............................................. .............. ~ .............................. 5 

11 
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES 

Miscellaneous, cont'd. 

Page(s) 

The Society ofthe Plastics Industry Bioplastics Council, Position Paper On Degradable 

Additives, January 2013 (attached as Exhibit C) ........................................................................ 7, 8 

iii 
INTEREST OF AMICUS CURIAE 

Californians Against Waste (CAW) is an environmental non-profit advocacy 

organization dedicated to conserving resources, preventing pollution, and protecting the 

environment through the developme1it, promotion and implementation of waste reduction and 

recycling policies and programs. Established in 1977, CAW works closely with the waste and 

recycling industries and other stalceholders on these issues. 

In 2011, CAW sponsored and successfully advocated for California Senate Bill567 

(DeSaulnier), a law that prohibits the use of any "biodegradable" clairn on plastic products sold 

in Califomia and limits "compostable" claims to those plastic products that can meet ASTM 

D6400, ASTM D6868, or ASTM D7081 standard specifications. During this process, CAW 

provided expert testimony, comments, and letters to the legislature about the importance of 

protecting the enviromnent and consumers from deceptive "biodegradable" and "compostable'' 

claims. Now, CAW manages an enforcement can1paign to help remove noncompliant products 

from the California market and ensure that products in other state markets meet the Federal 

Trade Commission's (FTC's) recently revised Green Guides (16 C.F.R. 260.1-260.17). 

In the present case, CAW represents the public's interest in being able to make informed 

choices based on "biodegradable" claims on a plastic product's labels and advertising materials. 

ECM's additives can end up in many different types of purportedly biodegradable plastic 

products, causing impacts that ripple out to consumers in many different sectors an over the 

country. CAW supports Complaint Counsel's Appeal and hopes that its non-competitive status 

and concern for truthful and clear environmental advertising can provide the FTC with a useful 

1 
perspective in detennining the level and type of substantiation necessary for "biodegradable'' 

claims. 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 

"An advertisement is deceptive if it contains a representation or omission of fact that is 

likely to mislead a consumer acting reasonably under the circumstances, and that representation 

or omission is material to a consumer's purchasing decision." (In re POM Wonderful LLC, No. 

9344, 155 F.T.C. 1, at *6 (Jan. 10, 2013).) ECM's unqualified claim ofbiodegradability, and its 

"some period greater than one year" qualified claim, are deceptive because they are likely to 

mislead a reasonable consumer into paying extra money for plastic products out of an earnest 

desire to do something good for the enviromnent. Both the unqualified claim and the "greater 

than one year" qualified claim omit important infonnation that can influence a consumer's 

purchasing decision. Therefore, even if the FTC were to find that these claims do not contain an 

express representation that is false or deceptive, the FTC should find that it is in the public's 

interest to find that these claims are deceptive because of the infonnation they hold back from 

consumers. More generally, CAW urges the FTC to both affinn and clarify, to the extent 

necessary, the guidance provided by the Green Guides. 

ARGUMENT 

This case is about end-of-life claims made regarding ECM Plastics, or plastic products 

with additives sold and manufactured by ECM Biofilms under the trade name MasterBatch 

Pellets. ECM sold and marketed this additive as having the ability to make plastic products 

biodegradable when added to a manufacturer's base materials during production, and issued 

"Certificates ofBiodegradability of Plastic Products" to convince its customers of this claim. 

While there are positive benefits for truthful end-of-life claims that can assist in waste Teduction 

2 
and diversion, false or confusing end-ofwlife claims that infiltrate the market have far-reaching 

negative consequences. Products with deceptive "biodegradable" claims are hannful to 

consumers who are misled into paying a higher price based on a certain expectation. These 

deceptive claims also have a negative impact on the environment because of the increased 

consumption and littering of plastic that occur as a result of degradability claims. Moreover, the 

recycling and composting industries view plastics with biodegradable additives as a contaminant 

that often ends up in their feedstock. The Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell (ALJ) 

issued a cease order on certain qualified claims from ECM and prohibited ECM from making 

any claims of complete biodegradation in any time frame unless there is competent and reliable 

scientific evidence. But, as explained more fully below, the ALJ's Initial Decision and Order 

("Initial Decision") create unnecessary ambiguity about what constitutes a valid unqualified 

"biodegradable" claim, when the claim needs to be qualified, and what fonn the qualifications 

should take. 

1. The Growing Market for Products with Environmentally Friendly Claims Needs FTC's 

Guidance. 

Over the years and in large part due to the enviromnental movement, consumers have 

changed their preferences to seek more environmentally friendly products. According to a 2011 

corporate responsibility survey by Cone Communications, 94% of consumers would choose an 

envh·omnentally beneficial product, and 76% recently purchased an enviromnentally beneficial 

product.1 

1 Bioplastics Industry Overview Guide, Society of the Plastics Industry Bioplastics Cow1cil, 

April2012, at p. 1 (attached as Exhibit A). 

3 
Understandably, the market has and will continue to change to accommodate and meet 

consumer preferences with more eco-conscious choices, including bioplastics (plastics derived 

from biological sources rather than petroleum sources) and plastics. that claim to be 

"biodegradable" or "compostable". Estimates of worldwide bioplastics production jumped 31% 

from 2010 to 2015.2 In fact, the relatively small bioplastics market has already demonstrated a 

steady growth in production that is only expected to increase. According to CalRecycle, the state 

agency that oversees waste and recycling issues in California, there is expected to be an a1mual 

growth rate of25% for ~11 bioplastics through 2017. 1 

Some bioplastics will be accompanied by claims of degradability. As noted in the FTC 

Green Guides (16 C.P.R. 260.8), these claims can include "biodegradable", "oxo-degradable", 

"axe-biodegradable" and "photo-degradable." Considering the expected growth of 

enviromnentally friendly bioplastics products in the market and the increasing importance 

consumers place on making values-based purchasing decisions, the FTC's guidance to marketers 

needs to be consistent with, and supportive of, cutTent trends, regulations, and objectives related 

to solid waste management and other environmental issues. 

For example, the marketing claim that a product is "biodegradable in landfills'' is 

contrary to the public good and needs to be properly restdcted by FTC guidance. According to 

the U.S. Envirom11ental Protection Agency (EPA)4

, biodegradation in landfills typically 

generates methane, which contributes to global climate change, and acidic leachate, a known 

2 Exhibit A, p. 1. 

3 Excerpts from CalRecycle, Bioplastics in Califomia, September 30, 2013, at p. 1 (attached as 

Exhibit F). 4 EPA, Wastes - Resource Conservation - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- Composting, "Frequent 

Questions," available at http://www.epa.gov/composting/questions.htm (last visited Feb. 26, 

2015). . 

4 
groundwater pollutant. A white paper by the Sustainable Packaging Counci15 colToborates the· 

negative impact ofbiodegradable materials in landfills. A United Nations' study6 reports that 

methane gas from unchecked biodegradation in landfills is surpassed in emissions by only China 

and the United States. To prevent these serious problems, many stat~ and communities have 

banned biodegradable materials (such as leaves, grass and, more recently, food waste) from 

being landfilled. Sanctioning the marketing claim of''biodegradable in landfills" seems ill~ 

advi~ed. Absent a prohibition on such claims, and in addition to requiring a scientific basis for 

these claims, the FTC should consider requiring marketers to advise consumers that 

biodegradable waste generally is not intended to go to landfills. Further, consumers should be 

advised (with clear labeling) to check locally to ensure that biodegradable waste is accepted at 

landfills in their community. 

This is just one example. There is a wide array of degradability claims. Given the 

growing popularity and size of the environmentally friendly bioplastics market, it is important 

that the FTC provide clear guidance on claims ofbiodegradability in both adjudicative and 

regulatory settings. 

2. The ALI's Findings and Conclusions Could Potentially Have Broad, Negative 

Implications on Consumers and the Environment. 

5 Sustainable Packaging Council, Assessing the Greenhouse Gas Impacts of Biodegradation in 

Landfills, 2011 (attached as Exhibit B). 6 New York Times, Febmary25, 2015, Food Waste Is Becoming Serious Economic and 

Environmental Issue, Report Says, available at ht~p://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/us/foodwaste is becoming~serious~economic and~environmental-issue-report-says html (last visited Feb. 

26, 2015). 

5 
CAW supports the ALJ's decision to reaffirm the FTC's statements that environmental 

claims, including "biodegradable" be supported by competent science, using valid test methods. 

But we support Complain Counsel's Appeal because the Initial Decision creates unnecessary 

ambiguity about what constitutes a valid unqualified "biodegradable" claim, when the claim 

needs to be qualified, and what fonn the qualifications should take. 

ECM's challenged claims fall into three categories: (1) unqualified claims that ECM 

Plastics are "biodegradable" (Initial Decision, p. 174); (2) qualified claims that ECM Plastics 

will fully biodegrade in 9 months to 5 years (id. at p. 176); and (3) qualified claims that EMC 

Plastics will biodegrade in "some period greater than a year'' (id. at p. 178). Before 2013, ECM 

made claims in the first (unqualified) and second (qualified, 9 months to 5 years) categories. (I d. 

at p. 178.) After the revisions of the FTC Green Guides in 2012, ECM modified its qualified and 

unqualified claims to state that its plastics would "biodegrade" in "some period greater than a 

year." (Ibid.) 

While the ALJ correctly concluded that ECM's original qualified claim (fully 

biodegradable in a landfill in 9 months to 5 years) violated the Federal Trade Commission Act, 

and authorized a cease and desist order for such violating acts (Initial Decision~ p. 319, # 40Al), 

his conclusion that the Complaint Counsel could not bar ECM from making unqualified 

"biodegradable" claims (id. at pp. 318-319, # 38-39 & 46) is mistaken. Similarly, the ALJ's 

implied conclusion that ECM's qualified claim of biodegradability over "some period greater 

than a year" is appropriate will allow deceptive advertisements to mislead consumers, both in the 

present case and by effectively setting the standard for qualified claims so low as to malce the 

qualifications meaningless. (See id. at p. 179 [explaining that it was not clear to the ALJ that 

6 
Complaint Counsel in fact challenges the "some period greater than a year'' claim as false or 

unsubstantiated, and therefore the Decision does not decide these issues].) 

When consumers are given false claims or misled by confusing or vague claims, there are 

several negative impacts to both the environment and consumers. 

One, most bioplastics cannot be recycled with other plastics. The processes to sort out 

these products are time-consuming, inefficient, and expensive because bioplastics catmot be 

readily distinguished from inore traditionally recycled plastics. Additives in the feedstock can 

also compromise the chemical stability7 and the quality of a finished recycled product and are 

thus viewed as contaminants.8 Plastic recyclers, including the National Association for PET 

Resources (NAPCOR), do not want the uncertainties that are linked to additive-based 

"biodegradable" products and have spoken out against additives, citing the lack of data on endof-life performance and impact on the recycling stream.9 

Two, every commercial composter has its own specifications about how long a product 

must take to compost. If consumers send bioplastic products that do not meet these specifications 

to composting centers, then these products are likely to contaminate the compost pile. 

Composting facilities that accept compostable plastics typically require the plastics to meet 

ASTM D6400 or equivalent standards, to verify that the plastics have been tested to completely 

break down in commercial composting conditions. According to CalRecycle, "Compostable 

7 The Society of the Plastics Industry Bioplastics Council, Position Paper On Degradable 

Additives, January 2013, at pp. 7-8 (attached as Exhibit C). 

8 CalRecycle (fonnerly Califomia Integrated Waste Management Board), June 2007, 

Performance Evaluation ofEnvirom11entally Degradable Plastic Packaging and Disposable Food 

Service Ware- Final Report, at p. 3 (attached as Exhibit E). 

9 NAPCOR press release, May 3, 2011, Degradable Additives Provide Poor End-Of-Life Option 

For PET Packaging, Says NAPCOR (attached as Exhibit D). 

7 
plastics are being used safely in the United States with the help of a certification program and the 

establishment of ASTM D6400 standards." 10 

Three, the term "biodegradable" on consumer products can also increase littering habits 

by reducing the barriers to littering and communicating to the consumer that the product is less 

hannful if littered. Degradable additives are not the solution to litter. Consumers may reasonably 

believe that if a product is labeled "biodegradable" it will biodegrade hannlessly in the 

environment. But some products that claim to ultimately biodegrade in fact only break down into 

fragments that continue to persist in the environment, creating a substantial risk of accumulation 

of pieces that never go away. These fraginents can in turn attract sunounding toxic chemicals 

and transport those toxins to other locations, causing harm to the marine environment. 11 

Finally, consumers' financial interests arehanned. Most purportedly "biodegradable" 

products are more expensive than conventional petroleum-based plastics. Some consumers are 

willing to pay a premium ifthey believe they are making a difference for the environment. But 

advertisements that mislead consumers into purchasing products with indetenninate and variable 

enviromnental benefits rob consumers of the chance to make an informed choice. In addition, 

some companies are following the laws which regulate the use of environmental marketing 

terms, while others blatantly violate them, creating unfair market competition. 

3. Relevant Law and Standards for Determining Whether or Not Claims Are Deceptive. 

As mentioned in our motion, CAW is an active voting member of the American Society 

for Testing and Materials (ASTM), which is a collection of scientist and technical experts 

10 Exhibit E (CalRecycle, 2007), at p. 15. 

11 Exhibit C (The Society of the Plastics Industry Bioplastics Council, 2013), at p. 7. 

8 
engaged in the intemational standards making process for a variety of subject matters including 

plastics. CAW participates in ASTM committees on plastics recycling and end-of-life standards. 

Based on CAW's experience, it is important to differentiate between biodegradation as a 

process and biodegradability as an attribute. Testing methods that indicate a product has inherent 

characteristics of biodegradability may not be able to adequately quantify the process of 

biodegradation. According to the initial decision, ASTM defines biodegradation as the process 

by which natural biota decompose a plastic product into different chemical materials. 

According to ASTM DS83, the following definitions exist for: 

Degradable Plastic: a plastic designed to undergo a significant change in its chemical 

structure under specific enviromnental conditions resulting in a loss of some properties 

that may vary as measured by standard test methods appropriate to the plastic and the 

application in a period of time that detennines its classification. 

Biodegradable Plastic: a degradable plastic in which the de!:,rradation results from the 

action of naturally-occurring micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae. 

(Initial Decision, p. 86 ["theASTM D883-12 definition ofbiodegradability"].) 

The FTC Green Guides provide general guidance on degradability claims. According to 

the Green Guides: 

(b) A marketer making an unqualified degradable claim should have 

competent and reliable scientific evidence that the entire item will 

completely break down and return to nature (i.e., decompose into elements 

found in nature) within a reasonably short period oftime after customary 

disposal. 

(c)It is deceptive to make an unqua1i£ed degradable claim for items 

e11tering the solid waste stream if the items do not completely decompose 

within one year after customary disposal. Unqualified degradable claims 

for items that are customarily disposed in landfills, incinerators, and 

recycling facilities are deceptive because these locations do not present 

coi1ditions in which complete decomposition will occur within one year. 

9 
(d) Degradable claims should be qualified clearly and prominently to the 

extent necessary to ayoid deception about: 

(1) the product or package's ability to degrade in the environment 

where it is customarily disposed; and 

(2) the rate and extent of degradation. 

(16 C.P.R. 260.8(b)-(d).) This guidance is publicly available and may be the basis for some 

consmners' expectations about the biodegradability of various plastic products. 

As the ALJ recognized, there are "two analytical routes by which Complaint Counsel can 

prove that Respondents' ads are deceptive or misleading." (In re POM Wonderful LLC, No. 

9344, 155 F .T.C. 1, at * 19 (Jan. 10, 2013); see Initial Decision,. p. 234.). First, where an ad 

implies a particular level of substantiation to reasonable consumers ("establishment claims"), the 

falsity approach requires Complaint Counsel to show by a preponderance of the evidence that 

Respondents lacked "clinical proof'' to support the challenged claim. (POM, 155 F.T.C. at *19; 

In reAdventistHealth System/West, No. 9234, 117 F.T.C. 224,297 (Apr. 1, 1994) [elements of a 

. . 

case "must be established by a preponderance ofrhe evidence"].) The level of proof must be 

"sufficient to satisfy the relevant scientific community of the claim's truth." (In re Removatron 

International Corp., No. 9200, 111 F.T.C. 206, 1988 WL 1025512, at *9 (Nov. 4, 1988).) 

Second, where the challenged claim is about a product's performance (''efficacy claims"), 

the reasonable basis approach requires a consideration of multiple factors lmown as the "Pfizer 

factors" to detem1ine what constitutes a reasonable basis: (a) type of claim, (b) the product, (c) 

the consequences of a false claim, (d) the benefits of a truthful claim, (e) the cost of developing 

substantiation for the claim, and {f) the amount of substantiation experts in the field believe is 

reasonable. (POM, 155 F.T.C.. at *19-20.) 

10 
In POM, the FTC disapproved ofthe ALJ's "consolidat[ion]" of his "analysis of the 

establishment and efficacy claims." (155 F.T.C. at *19 [the ALJ "appears to have applied the 

Pfizer factors to both types of claims"].) 

4. Standard Specifications Provide Different Infonnation Than Testing Methods. 

ASTM Standard Specifications outline acceptable test methods and contain specific 

pass/fail tests to be met before a determination can be made. On the other hand, ASTM Test 

Methods act as a set of detailed instructions or a lab manual for testing or screening purposes. 

ASTM Standard Specifications direct users to follow an ASTM Test Method to determine 

whether or not it meets the specified requirements. 

As with "biodegradable" claims, consumers need protection from deceptive 

advertisements about "compostable" claims. The Green Guides set forth the FTC's current views 

about "compostable" claims in the section immediately preceding its guidance about 

"biodegradable" claims. (16 C.F.R. 260.7.) Neither section explicitly identifies a standard or 

testing method that will definitively satisfy the requirements in the Green Guides. But the 

scientific community has reached a consensus on the adequacy and reliability of ASTM D6400, 

a Standard Specification used to test compostable plastics. 

ASTM D6400, entitled Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics to be Aerobically 

Composted in Municipal/Industrial Facilities, measures conversion of carbon to C02 for plastics 

designed to go into a commercial composting facility. (CCX-91 [ASTM D6400-12].) This test 

includes detailed pass/fail requirements for products that may be identified as commercial 

compos table plastic, including disintegration during composting, biodegradation at a rate of 60-

90% conversion of carbon to C02 in 180 days, and terrestrial safety. 

11 
On the other hand, agreement on bow to develop and adopt a similar Standard 

Specification for landfill biodegradable plastics has eluded the scientific community. 

Importantly, ASTM D5511, which ECM relies upon here, is not a Standard Specification but a 

Test Method, and thus does not require products to meet rigorous specified standards. (CCX-84 

[ASTM: D5511-12].) ASTM D5511, entitled Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic 

Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions, is a test 

method that detennines biodegradability of plastics in high-solids anaerobic conditions by 

measuring the conversion of carbon to C02. In fact, the scope of the test method expressly states 

that any results from ASTM D5511 "shall ... not be used for unqualified 'biodegradable' 

claims" and claims ofperfonnance must "be limited to the numerical result obtained in the test." 

(CCX-84, Section 1.4.) 

5. The FTC Needs to Correct the· Deficiencies in the ALJ's Initial Decision. 

Unlike stand-alone products, ECM's additives are designed to be sold to other companies 

that will in turn make various claims of biodegradability on their own products. Therefore, while 

the ALJ chose to not apply the Pfizer factors to ECM's "efficacy claims" (e.g., unqualified claim 

ofbiodegradability) because he framed them in terms of the "net impression" created by ECM's 

Marketing Materials and its Certificate of Biodegradability that its claims of biodegradability are 

supported by independent laboratory testing (Initial Decision, p. 237), CAW urges the FTC to 

consider the three types of claims (unqualified claim, qualified - 9 months to 5 years, qualified -

some period greater than one year) separately because other companies down the production and 

sales chain may choose to only display one of the three kinds of claims on its labels. 

Here, ECM's pre-2013 unqualified claims of biodegradability included a logo of a tree 

that simply includes the word "Biodegradable" underneath. This would fall into the category of 

12 
an "efficacy claim". In contrast, ECM's qualified claim that ECM Plastics would be fully 

biodegradable in 9 months to 5 years is an "establishment claim" because the claim appears on 

Marketing Materials that convey independent testing proved the claims. And, although not 

directly addressed by the ALJ, ECM's qualified claim that ECM Plastics would be biodegradable 

over a period greater than a year should be considered an "efficacy claim" because the 

qualification language is designed to appear in small print undemeath the tree logo and the word 

"Biodegradable" without any directly adjacent language referencing scientific studies. 

Similarly, while "the parties agree that, applying the Pfizer factors, the appropriate level 

of substantiation ... is 'competent and reliable scientific evidence,"' we urge the FTC to balance 

the Pfizer factors anew and reach its own independent conclusion about the appropriate level of 

substantiation ±or the unqualified claim and the qualified claim of greater than a year. (~ee Initial 

Decision, p. 237; Complaint Counsel's Amended Post-Trial Brief, Section II(B)(l)(a), pp. 62-64 

[Pfizer Factors Analysis].) 

a. The FTC should clear up the ambiguity left by the ALJ's Decision as to the minimum 

level of biodegradation necessary to support unqualified claims. 

To the extent that the ALJ' s decision may be interpreted as: (1) disapproving of the 

Green Guides' approach to unqualified claims ofbiodegradability, and (2) approving of the use 

of a "biodegradable" label without the need for any qualifications or scientific basis as to the 

length of time in which biodegradation will occur, we urge the FTC to adopt different 

conclusions. A finding that ECM's unqualified "biodegradable" claims here are not deceptive 

would effectively eviscerate any meaningful guidance as to how industry should advertise the 

biodegradable attributes of certain plastics. Under the ALJ>s interpretation, as long as a plastic is 

found to have some level of inherent biodegradability under ASTM D5511, a company can make 

13 
an unqualified claim of biodegradability. Tllis is misleading to consumers because products that 

may take hundreds of years to biodegrade could sport the same label and be put in the same 

category as products that would only take 10 years to biodegrade. The approval of unqualified 

claims of biodegradability like this would also disincentivize the use of qualified claims, which 

provide ons~11ners with more information about the length of time a plastic will take t o 

biodegrade, because the addition of fine-print qualified language would then carry with it the 

taint of being some sort of a "disclaimer" that lessens the validity of the "biodegradable" claim. 

According to the FTC Green Guides an unqualified claim is appropriate so long as a 

product will completely break down and return to nature witllin a year of disposal. ECM 

products have previously been found by the Better Business Bureau's National Advetiising 

- -

Division (NAD) to lack sufficient evidence to support both unqualified "biodegradable" claims 

and a biodegradability claim within 9 to 60 months. 12 Even though the NAD's findings are not 

binding on the FTC, their findings should be accorded significant weight given NAD 's expertise 

and experience in considering issues similar to the ones in the present case. The NAD Case 

Reports are the result of a unique, hybrid fom1 of alternative dispute resolution that is known to 

provide a good forum outside of a courtroom in the industry. 

As indicated by the ECM testing data, the Respondent provided data from 3 8 tests. Of 

these, 32 provided a definitive level of biodegradation. (Respondent's Pre-Trial Btief, pp. 70-

73.) The data, however, showed the overwhelming number of tests generated biodegradation 

levels of30% or lower, which is nowhere near complete or 100% breakdown. In fact, only 5 of 

the 38 tests showed biodegradation levels of 30% or more, and one of those tests took more than 

12 Complaint Counsel's Exhibit CCX-28 (FP h1ternational-Biodegrad~ble SUPER 8 Loosefill 

Enviromnentally Friendly Packaging, NAD Case Reports No. 5256, p. 18 (closed. 12/3/1 0). 

14 
a year. If these levels of biodegradation allow an :mqua1ified claim, then any product will be able 

to make such a claim by showing low levels of biodegradation. Although the ALJ prohibited the 

"biodegrade in a landfill. in 9 months to 5 years" claim, there needs to be additional guidance on 

the minimum acceptable levels ofbiodegradation that would be allowed for an unqualified claim, 

and also when a claim would need to be qualified instead. 

b. The FTC needs to provide more guidance on qualified claims. 

Because, as the ALJ admits, the current state of science prevents any study from 

definitively concluding that a material will be biodegradable within a year, claims of 

biodegradability that follow the Green Guides will have to be qualified claims in the foreseeable 

future. Therefore, it is critical that the FTC provide clear guidance as to what kind of qualified 

claims are acceptable. While additional revisions to the Green Guides or to regulations can 

address this issue eventually, the FTC'here can issue a decision that both: (1) prevents ECM's 

harmful use of a deceptive qualified claim of biodegradability, and (2) clears up the unnecessary 

ambiguity left by the ALJ's decision as to the appropriateness of a "some period greater than a 

year" qualified claim. As demonstrated above, a "some period greater than a year" qualified 

claim by ECM.or any other seller ofbioplastics is misleading and so broad it is meaningless even 

if it is .not false on its face. If the FTC puts its stamp of approval on the use of this language to 

qualify "biodegradable" claims, then there will be no incentives for the industry to develop better 

methods of testing and producing biodegradable plastics since a product that extrapolations from 

lab tests indicate will biodegrade in 500 years wiil be able to use the same label as a product that· 

tests show will be likely to biodegrade in 5 years. 

In fact, the Green Guides notes that "biodegradable" claims should be qualified "clearly 

and prominently" in order "to avoid deception" about a product's "ability to degrade in the 

15 
environment" and the "rate and extent of degradation." (16 C.F.R. 260.8(d).) By using an openended claim, ECM' s "some period greater than a year" qualified claim leaves no obvious 

instructions regarding a relevant test period, making it impossible for concerned parties to 

effectively verify the claim. However, the FTC has the opportw1ity to clear up any confusion 

created by the Initial Decision by requiring that qualifications should: 

i. Be based on quantitative testing date, not qualitative. 

ii. Clearly state the test method, the overall level of biodegradation achieved, as well 

as the overall timeframe. 

iii. Clearly state that no additional biodegradation can be expected beyond the stated 

time:frame. 

IV. This qualification language should be in close proximity to the primary 

"biodegradable" claim and in a type size that is legible. Appearing on the back of 

the package in small type, while the claim "biodegradable" is on the front of the 

package in large type is not appropriate. 

For example, an appropriate claim for the product in NE Labs N0946510-0l (RX-398) would 

take the following form: 

Biodegradable 

4.9% of this product biodegraded in 15 days using ASTM D55ll. 

No further biodegradation can be expected based on this testing. 

Respondent's substantiation does not meet the level demanded by the relevant scientific 

community. 

Currently, no Standard Specification exists to detennine whether or not a plastic can be 

considered biodegradable in a landfill. An ASTM working group is working on a proposed Test 

Method for determining the rate and extent of plastics biodegradation in an anaerobic laboratory 

environmental under accelerated conditions, but a consensus among the scientific experts at 

16 
ASTM has never been agreed upon for any Standard Specification for landfill biodegradable 

plastics, nor does it seem likely to happen in the near future. As testified by one of the witnesses 

for the Respondent, it is impractical to test for biodegradability over long periods of time (Initial 

Decision, p. 278), in a tilneframe which would be expected for a simulated landfill condition. h1 

addition, it would be difficult to create one single standard that can emulate the conditions found 

in each and every operating landfill. CAW believes that a landfill biodegradable standard could 

only be relevant if tested in real-world, real-time conditions. 

The tests that the Respondent relies upon cannot support claims of complete 

biodegradation in landfills. ASTM D5511 measures biodegradation in anaerobic conditions, 

conditions which have been detem1ined by the NAD as non-representative of all landfills, 13 and 

also which do not require a specific rate of biodegradation within a certain timeframe to be met. 

While scientists have used and will continue to ASTM D55ll to show some level of 

biodegradation, including in landfills, it is not a measurement of biodegradability, nor as noted in 

the scope of ASTM D5511 should it be used for unqualified claims (CCX-84). 

ASTM D5511 testing does not show biodegradation to completion. Also, considering that 

biodegradation is a process and biodegradability is an inherent characteristic, tests that indicate a 

product has some level of biodegradability do not provide information about or assurances as to 

the length oftime it takes for biodegradation to occur. The fact that the scope of ASTM D5511 

specifically prohibits its use for unqualified "biocegradable" claims indicates an understanding 

from the scientific community that some level of qualification is necessary for the claims to be 

useful. 

13 CCX-28 (FP International, NAD case). 

17 
Since ASTM D5511 does not show complete biodegradation unless qualified, the 

Respondent's claims of scientific proof to establish biodegradability under an unqualified claim 

are unsubstantiated and conflict with competent and reliable scientific evidence. Therefore, it is 

also critical that the FTC provide guidance on the use of ASTM D55ll.with unqualified claims. 

6. The FTC Should Require More Transparency About Test Results. 

Qualified or not, "biodegradable" claims are not always accompanied by test results to 

allow a consumer to examine the claims and verify the results. 

Looking at the ECM tests, there is a great deal of variability oftest results even amongst 

similar items as shown in the submitted test results. (Respondent's Pre-Trial Brief, pp. 70-73.) 

For example, the film samples in Eden 92511B (RX.-248) achieved an overall level of 

biodegradation of 11.5% to 15.2% in 120 days, yet the samples in Eden 070312C (RX-839) 

achieved a biodegradation level of7.9% in 154 days (22 weeks). For this reason, it is important 

that each manufacturer tests their own application and makes claims based only on this data. 

In the spirit of transparency, the FfC should require manufacturers to publish their test 

data on their website or make it readily available to the public in some manner. This would 

discourage manufacturers from making false claims. And just as important, consumers would no 

longer have to guess at what the ''biodegradable" claim actually means. With easy access to the 

test results, consumers would be empowered and able to protect themselves fi:om deceptive 

''biodegradable" claims. 

CONCLUSION 

For the foregoing reasons, CAW respectfully requests that the FTC grant Complaint 

Counsel's Appeal in regards to the issues discussed herein. 

18 . 
19 

Respectfully submitted, 

Howard F. Wilkins III 

Elizabeth Sarine 

REMY MOOSE MANLEY LLP 

555 Capitol Mall, Ste. 800 

Sacramento, California 95814 

Telephone: (916) 443-2745 

Facsimile: (916) 443-9017 

Counsel for Proposed Amicus Curiae 

Californians Against Waste 
Exhibit A 
BIOPLASTICS INDUSTRY 

OVERVIEW GUIDE 

Executive Summary 

The Society of the Plastics Industry 

Bioplastics Council

Published April 2012

(Executive Summary Published September 2012)

 

 www.bioplasticscouncil.org

Exhibit A
COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER

This report is copyright 2012, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) Bioplastics 

Council. All rights reserved. 

The participating authors individually or collectively do not necessarily endorse all of the views, 

opinions, techniques, processes or advice given in this document. The document is intended for 

general information only. Companies or individuals following any actions described herein do so 

entirely at their own risk. Readers should bear in mind that due to the wide variety of companies 

and organizations involved in the preparation of this publication and their specific requirements, 

the views and opinions expressed should not be taken as specific advice. 

The information and examples provided in this document are not necessarily exhaustive or 

exclusive and do not claim to satisfy all current regulatory or other legal requirements. This 

information is offered in good faith and believed to be technically sound when provided, but is 

made without warranty, expressed or implied, as to merchantability, fitness for a particular 

purpose, accuracy, reliability or any other matter. 

In publishing and making this document available, SPI, its members and contributors do not 

assume any responsibility for the user’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations, nor do 

they undertake any professional or other obligation to any persons relying on these materials for 

such compliance. SPI disclaims liability for any personal injury, property, or other damages of 

any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or 

indirectly resulting from the publication, use, or application of, or reliance on, this document. 

SPI is not a testing body and does not undertake to guarantee the performance of any individual 

manufacturer’s or seller’s products, designs, installations or services by virtue of issuing this 

document. Manufacturers, processors, distributors and other users of this document should 

consult with their own legal and technical advisors in complying with applicable laws and 

regulations. 

About the Council 

The SPI Bioplastics Council is a special interest group focused on the support of standards 

development and growth of the bioplastics industry. The Bioplastics Council’s mission is to: 

x Educate the plastics industry, government and stakeholders. 

x Articulate clear and consistent terminology, definitions and descriptions of the different 

bioplastics options. 

x Provide strategic advice to the plastics industry, government and stakeholders and 

promote harmonization of environmental policies. 

x Act as the go to source for information about the bioplastics industry. 

Current SPI Bioplastics Council members are: BASF, DuPont, Ecospan, Jamplast, Metabolix, 

NatureWorks LLC, Nypro, PolyOne, Teknor Apex and UL.

For more detailed information about the SPI Bioplastics Council please contact the SPI 

Bioplastics Council staff at (202) 974-5258 or mhockstad@plasticsindustry.org. 

Exhibit A
1

© 2012 The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction 

Over the past century, consumers have seen a large growth in the use of plastics to provide 

lighter and more durable appliances, packaging for safer foods and an increased level of 

convenience. Over the past 25 years, bioplastics, which are plastics that contain biobased 

content, are biodegradable, or both, have played an important role in further advancing the 

industry.

Bioplastics have been of keen interest since the beginning of the 20th century when Henry Ford 

used corn and soybean oils to manufacture automotive parts. While the 1960s-1980s saw 

companies investing in bioplastics research and development on both sides of the Atlantic 

Ocean, in the 1990s several activities in the U.S. occurred to help address the accuracy of 

bioplastics claims that were being made. In 1992, the U.S Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 

issued the first Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (also known as the 

“Green Guides”). The Green Guides outlined general principles intended to apply to all 

environmental marketing claims, as well as guidance on specific environmental claims including 

use of terminology such as “biodegradability.” ASTM International developed the first protocol 

for determining the compostability of materials and products in 1996 (ASTM D6002 – Standard 

Guide for Assessing the Compostability of Environmentally Degradable Plastics) which was 

followed in 1999 by the ASTM D6400 standard entitled Standard Specification for Compostable 

Plastics. In addition, the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) was formed to promote the 

growth of biodegradable plastics through education and using scientifically-based standards. 

In the 21st century, the continued increases in environmental awareness and emphasis on 

sustainability have become major drivers for bioplastics development and consumption. With the 

growing interest in bioplastics, the SPI Bioplastics Council was formed to further promote the 

industry. 

Bioplastics Trends 

Many factors are leading the shift toward bioplastics. Consumers are expressing increased 

interest in green products, healthier lifestyles and restoring the environment. As a result, 

businesses are reacting to government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and 

consumer demands for more eco-friendly products. 

Shift in Consumer/Corporate Behavior on Environmental Issues 

According to the 2011 Cone/Echo Global Corporate Responsibility Survey, 94% of consumers 

would buy a product that has an environmental benefit and 76% have already purchased an 

environmental product in the past 12 months (1). These trends will continue to drive the adoption 

of bioplastics as this industry develops new monomers and polymers in addition to 

improvements in the overall price/performance spectrum of available products.

Overall Growth of the Bioplastics Industry 

Bioplastics today account for less than 1% of the total global plastics usage. European 

Bioplastics estimates that the annual global production of bioplastics will increase from 798,070 

tons in 2010 to 1.85 million tons by 2015 (2). Currently, the U.S. market for biobased plastics is 

estimated to be worth more than $490MM (3). 

Exhibit A
2

© 2012 The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. All rights reserved.

Growth by Region 

A recent study by European Bioplastics estimated the production capacity by region from 2010 

to 2015 as follows: North America is estimated to grow from 26.7% of the total in 2010 to 32.9% 

in 2015; Europe is estimated to decrease from 26.7% to 18.3% for the same period; Asia is 

expected to grow from a total of 18.5% to 28.1%; and, South America is expected to decrease 

from a total of 27.6% to 20.5% (4). 

Growth by Polymer Types 

European Bioplastics estimated the top five bioplastics in 2010 by production capacity: biopolyethylene (bio-PE), biodegradable starch blends, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and biodegradable polyester. By 2015, bio-PE, PLA, PHA and biodegradable 

polyester are anticipated to still remain in the top five. However, bio-polyethylene terephthalate 

(bio-PET) will replace biodegradable starch blends as one of the top five bioplastics (5).

Innovation of Biobased Building Blocks 

One of the largest drivers for innovation in the bioplastics industry today is the use of biobased 

building blocks. Biobased building blocks can be used to create drop-in replacements for existing 

petroleum based chemicals or to create new, innovative products and chemistry. A large number 

of companies are making biobased building blocks. For example: 

x BioAmber, a joint venture between U.S.-based DNP Green Technology and France-based 

ARD (Agro-industries Recherches et Développements) operates a commercial-scale 

biobased succinic acid plant in Canada in joint venture with Mitsui & Co. and has plans 

to add another in Thailand with Mitsubishi Chemical and PTT Public Co. in 2015. 

x Novomer developed polypropylene carbonate (PPC) resin by combining propylene oxide 

with CO (carbon monoxide) or CO2 (carbon dioxide). 

x DuPont Tate and Lyle are producing bio-PDO (1,3-propanediol) via fermentation.

x Genomatica plans to produce biobased BDO (1,4-butanediol). This monomer is one of 

the key building blocks to make polyurethane, copolyester, polytetrahydrofuran (THF) 

fiber and rubber. 

Alternative Feedstock Developments 

The current prices for petroleum and natural gas also have spurred the industry to examine 

alternative feedstocks for the production of various bioplastics. A significant number of 

companies and organizations are looking into alternative feedstocks. For example: 

x NatureWorks is planning to use non-food alternative feedstock from biomass in their new 

plant to be located in Thailand. 

x BASF is looking into replacing one of the key raw materials it uses in production of its 

biodegradable polyester polymer with a biobased material. 

Development of Higher Performance Bioplastics 

While some companies are focused on the building blocks and feedstocks for use in creating 

bioplastics, other companies are developing high performance bioplastics especially focused on 

those that can withstand higher temperatures. For example, Teknor Apex has developed a higher 

heat resistant PLA for injection molding and extrusion/thermoforming. The new resin increases 

the heat deflection temperature (HDT) of PLA from 55°C to 125°C. PURAC also has announced 

Exhibit A
3

© 2012 The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. All rights reserved.

making stereocomplex PLA for higher temperature performance as the company believes the 

new stereocomplex PLA should improve the HDT performance from 55°C to 190°C.

In addition, companies such as PolyOne, RTP, Arkema, and Teknor Apex are developing 

biobased engineering plastics to replace petroleum based engineering plastics such as 

polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/PC (ABS/PC) and polyamides. 

Growth Challenges 

Despite growth of the bioplastics industry, several obstacles to the industry exist and can be 

summarized in several major areas including: 

1. Confusion with terminology. The public at large still lacks a clear understanding of the 

various bioplastics-related terms and definitions. The situation is compounded by 

conflicting definitions used within industry. As an example, biodegradable claims are 

made for products that do and do not completely biodegrade when tested under ASTM or 

European Standards. These questionable claims may give pause to some brand owners 

that would have purchased bioplastics but are now hesitant to do so because of the 

confusion around price, performance and valid definitions. 

2. Lack of infrastructure to capitalize on the alternatives which new bioplastics offer to 

traditional landfill. The slow developments of food waste diversion programs as well as a 

lack of a composting and other industrial biodegradation infrastructure have slowed the 

acceptance of compostable bioplastics. Although the infrastructure for yard waste 

composting is well developed nationwide, the number of sites accepting food waste 

remains limited and is primarily concentrated on the West Coast in states including 

California, Oregon and Washington. Confusion over the impact of new plastics in the 

plastics recycling scheme, as well as the lack of a robust recycling infrastructure for the 

numerous incumbent plastics which already exist in the market today (i.e., PET, HDPE, 

PVC, LDPE, PP, PS), create perception hurdles for new materials, which in reality are 

often no different in their recycle stream impact than other unique plastics long in the 

market. 

3. Limited amount of funding available for bioplastics. The bioplastics industry has 

generated very limited public financial interest. Only a few initial public offerings were 

noted in the industry and few numbers of grants from state and federal agencies have 

been made available. 

4. Limited availability of biobased feedstocks. The number of different biobased chemicals 

remains limited and the available supply is still tight. 

Bioplastics Standards and Certifications 

Industry associations have long been used to create necessary safety guidelines, certifications 

and educational guides, to ensure the proper specification, use and disposal of materials. For the 

bioplastics industry, certification can be attained by meeting certain standards or requirements 

established by organizations such as ASTM International, DIN CERTCO in Germany, Japanese 

Exhibit A
4

© 2012 The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. All rights reserved.

BioPlastics Association in Japan, Vinçotte in Belgium or the Biodegradable Products Institute in 

the U.S. 

ASTM International 

ASTM International is a U.S. based organization that partners with industry, government, 

academia and NGOs to develop specific testing guides, methodologies and specifications. Tables 

1 and 2 show the current specifications and test methodologies from ASTM dealing with end-oflife for plastics. Note Table 1 shows standard specifications carry pass/fail criteria and reporting, 

while Table 2 shows test methodologies and results reporting with no pass/fail criteria. 

Table 1: Pass/Fail Standard Specifications Currently Active 

Test Purpose Duration

ASTM D6400 Compostability of Plastics 180 days

ASTM D6868 Compostability of Plastic Coating on 

Renewable Substrates

180 days

ASTM D7081 Marine Biodegradability Up to 365 days

Table 2: Test Methodologies 

Test Purpose Data Obtained

ASTM D5338 Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic 

Materials Under Controlled Composting 

Conditions

Degree and Rate of 

Aerobic Biodegradation

ASTM D5511 Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic 

Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic

Digestion Conditions

Test Duration, % 

Landfill Biodegradation

ASTM D5988 Soil Biodegradability Test Duration, % Soil 

Biodegradation

ASTM D6691 Marine Biodegradation Test Duration, % Marine 

Biodegradation

ASTM D6854 Oxo-degradability of Plastic Additives Test Duration, % Oxodegradation

ASTM D6866 Biobased Carbon Content % Biobased Carbon 

Content

Biodegradable Product Institute (BPI) 

Certification of compostability is accomplished via the Biodegradable Product Institute’s (BPI)

third-party, peer review process in North America. The BPI has partnered with NSF International 

and through them with scientific reviewers, who render decisions on the third-party testing data 

supplied by companies seeking certification to the existing standard specifications of ASTM. 

Canada, Europe and Japan 

In Canada, certification of compostable products is governed in the province of Quebec by the 

Bureau of Normalization of Quebec. For Compostable Plastic Bag, Certification Program is 

BNQ 9011-911/2007 and for Compostable Products, the Certification Program is CAN/BNQ 

0017-988.

Exhibit A
5

© 2012 The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. All rights reserved.

Certification in Europe is governed by the European Bioplastics Association using the 

European Norm (EN) 13432 – Packaging – Requirements for Packaging Recoverable Through 

Composting and Biodegradation – Test Scheme and Evaluation Criteria for the Final 

Acceptance of Packaging. The EN testing specification is similar to the protocol found in ASTM 

D6400 and ASTM D6868.

In addition, Vinçotte, headquartered in Belgium, developed the OK compost certification 

program. This program has multiple certifications: OK biodegradable SOIL since 2000; OK 

compost HOME since 2003; and, OK biodegradable WATER since 2005. In 2009 Vinçotte

launched the OK biobased program.

In Japan, the Japanese BioPlastics Association (JBPA) governs the biodegradable standard 

GreenPla which is also harmonized with the EN 13432 methodologies and specifications. 

Certification for biodegradable products is managed by the JBPA for use in markets in Japan. 

International Organization for Standardization 

Recently, an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard, ISO 17088 –

Specifications for Compostable Plastics, has been developed to act as a global standard 

specification for biodegradability under controlled composting conditions. 

Overall, standards and certification for bioplastics in the area of renewable carbon content and 

compostability are well established, vetted and in use. Emerging standards and certification for 

marine, landfill and anaerobic digester biodegradation are in development. Global certification 

bodies are well harmonized and working closely to ensure future certification protocols such as 

ISO standards are well designed. Logo certification programs are growing and their use by 

municipalities, brand owners and consumers has become the standard in many communities 

around the world.

Bioplastics Companies 

The current bioplastics market is growing in the number of materials and products as well as 

manufacturers, compounders, converters and end-users. 

Bioplastics Industry Major Players in North America 

BASF – BASF offers aliphatic-aromatic co-polyester for both compostable and biobased durable 

plastics. 

DuPont – DuPont’s focus area is renewably sourced materials such as Sorona®, Hytrel® RS and 

Zytel® RS, Biomax® Strong modifier for PLA and Danisco plasticizer. 

Ecospan – Ecospan is a materials science research, development, and manufacturing company 

focused on biobased plastics. 

Jamplast – Jamplast, a North America plastic raw material distributor of biopolymers, 

engineering polymers and commodity grade thermoplastics. 

Exhibit A
6

© 2012 The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. All rights reserved.

Metabolix –Metabolix manufactures PHA biopolymer using corn, switchgrass, oilseeds and 

sugarcane. 

NatureWorks LLC – NatureWorks manufactures a broad range of Ingeo® aliphatic polyesters,

today it has over 15 resin grades tailored for both plastics markets and for fibers markets.

Nypro – Nypro, a global custom plastics injection molder manufactures plastics as well as 

bioplastic components for markets such as healthcare, consumer & electronics, and packaging. 

PolyOne – PolyOne offers biobased color masterbatches, biobased additive masterbatches, 

compound and thermoplastics polyurethane. 

Teknor Apex – Teknor Apex product lines consists of Biobased or Sustainable Products;

Biodegradable or Compostable resins; Recycled Content and PLA Process Masterbatches.

UL – UL is one of the foremost testing and certification companies in the world. UL aims to 

provide science-based guidance for producers and consumers of biopolymers.

Bioplastics Production 

A diverse range of bioplastics are produced around the world. Bioplastics will vary in terms of 

production route, characteristics, end uses and applications.

Bioplastics Classification by Production Route 

One way to classify bioplastics is according to the means by which they are produced. One such 

category is bioplastics based on polymers which are produced directly by an organism. The 

polymer is then separated from the biomass and has 100% biobased content. The polymer is 

often compounded or further processed into a usable plastic material. Bioplastics in this group 

include PHA produced by microorganisms and thermoplastic starch (TPS) produced by plants. 

The other grouping is bioplastics based on polymers in which the monomers or other precursors 

are produced by the organism, which is biobased. Then these precursors are polymerized via 

conventional chemical polymerization. Examples include PLA from the lactic acid monomer, 

bio-polyethylene from the bio-ethylene monomer or polyamide 11 from castor oil.

Alternatively, the biobased monomer may be combined with other monomers, biobased or not. 

One example is PTT, in which biobased propylene glycol is combined with fossil-based 

terephthalate. Another example is PA 6, 10 in which fossil-based hexamethyl diamine is 

combined with biobased sebacic acid. 

Bioplastics classified by production route may also be produced through the use of biofillers, 

they include plant-based materials, such as bamboo, kenaf, bagasse and algae biomatter, and 

animal-based materials. 

Exhibit A
7

© 2012 The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. All rights reserved.

Bioplastics Classified by Life Cycle 

Another method for classifying bioplastics is by noting beginning of life and end-of-life 

characteristics; that is biobased content and biodegradability/compostability as shown in Table 3. 

Table 4 provides examples of bioplastics by life cycle. 

Table 3: Bioplastics by Definition 

Biodegradable Not Biodegradable

Biobased Bioplastic Bioplastic

Non-Biobased Bioplastic Not Bioplastic

Table 4: Examples of Bioplastics by Life Cycle 

End-of-Life

Biodegradable/Compostable Not Biodegradable or Compostable

Beginning of Life

High 

biobased 

content

PHA 

PLA

TPS

Bio-PE

PA 11

Medium 

Biobased 

content

AAC/PLA blends

AAC/Starch blends

Conventional plastic/bioplastic blends 

Bio-PET

PA 6, 10

PTT

Fossil AAC, PBAT, PBS Conventional plastics

Bioplastics Market Segments 

Bioplastics are making inroads into a variety of markets, from agricultural applications to 

medical uses to consumer goods. Below is a brief listing of current and emerging bioplastics 

market segments: 

x Appliance: Air conditioning hoses and ducts, covers, filters, housings, fasteners, clips 

x Automotive: Corrugated tubing, fluid transfer lines, fuel lines, seats materials, trim, wears 

x Bags: Can lines, leaf bags, trash bags 

x Consumer Electronics: Cable, connectors, earbuds, exterior housings 

x Furniture: Arm rests, backs, caps, covers, cushions, seats 

x Lawn & Garden: Fencing, trellis, trimmer line 

x Loose – Fill Packaging: Foam protective packaging 

x Medical: Bottles, containers, drug delivery, labware, packaging 

x Other Markets: Apparel, building/construction, carpet, consumer goods 

x Other Packaging: Blisterpacks, caps, closures, cosmetics, shipping containers 

x Pet Products: Bowls, toys, 

x Tools: Grips, handles 

Exhibit A
8

© 2012 The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. All rights reserved.

Bioplastics Market Growth by Geography 

The expected growth of bioplastics over the next few years is substantial because the industry 

continues to innovate, with new polymers expected to reach markets in a relatively short span of 

time.

Europe 

Bioplastics have been on the European market for more than two decades. Many of the available 

products are compostable biowaste bags and loose fill packaging. In addition, the legal 

framework conditions and strategies in Europe provide incentives for the use of bioplastics 

which helps stimulate the market. 

North America 

The North American bioplastics market continues to experience significant growth due to the 

addition of new manufacturing facilities. Increased focus on sustainability, such as the 

sustainability policy, enacted by major brand owners has brought significant attention to 

bioplastics and the quest for more sustainability in packaging and products. 

In addition, initiatives from the Obama Administration are creating a strong momentum for 

“green technologies.” Also the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s BioPreferred Program, has 

been a positive step forward in promoting bioplastics at the federal procurement level. 

Latin America 

Braskem is the leading player in bio-PE. Dow and Mitsui have also announced the formation of a 

joint venture to establish a bio-ethanol-based feedstock and supply chain to enable biopolymer 

production at Dow’s existing polymer plants in Brazil. Braskem also has succeeded in lab-scale 

production of bio-propylene for bio-PP; a commercial-scale facility to produce bio-PP has been 

announced to start operation in early 2013. 

Asia Pacific

Various countries in the Asia Pacific region have also begun to implement new regulations that 

are promoting a move towards the increased use of biobased materials. Although legislative 

efforts are not intended to be a substitute for reduce, re-use and recycle practices in any country, 

forward progress has, at times, been limited by unclear or weak enforcement guidelines. 

Summary 

The bioplastics market represents an evolution and not a revolution within the plastics 

marketplace. Like the fossil-based plastics before it, bioplastics will grow as new companies, 

new materials and new capacities enter the market. Bioplastics should be considered materials 

that are complementary to existing fossil-based materials, where they offer customers new 

options based on societal and consumer trends and demands. Bioplastics offer ‘plastic’ materials 

that are biodegradable, have biobased content, or both and play an exciting role in the growth of 

the plastics industry. 

Exhibit A
9

© 2012 The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. All rights reserved.

References 

1. Cone/Echo Global CR Opportunity Study. October 2011. Cone LLC. 17 October 2011 

<http://www.coneinc.com/globalCRstudy>.

2. Bioplastics Market. May 2011. European Bioplastics. 1 December 2011. 

<http://en.european-bioplastics.org/market/>.

3. Bockner, Gordon, Jim Lunt, and Robert Tremblay. Bioplastics for Commodity 

Packaging. West Chester, PA: Packaging Strategies, 2008. 

4. Europe and Beyond. May 2011. European Bioplastics. 1 December 2011. < 

http://en.european-bioplastics.org/market/europebeyond/>.

5. Market Development. May 2011. European Bioplastics. 1 December 2011. < 

http://en.european-bioplastics.org/market/market-development/>.

Exhibit A
Exhibit B 
Assessing the Greenhouse Gas

Impacts of Biodegradation in L
methane generated by biodegradation in landfills, methane 

oxidation must reduce the uncollected methane (assumed 

to be 15% of all generated landfill methane in this scenario) 

to an amount that is less than 10% of all generated landfill 

methane. This reduction would require uncollected methane 

to be attenuated by 33% or more, which is on the upper end of 

values supported by current scientific research. 

Carbon storage of the portion of biogenic carbon that 

cannot biodegrade anaerobically is an additional benefit 

of landfills. It is estimated that 18% of the biogenic carbon 

content of MSW will not biodegrade in landfills (EPA, 2010d). 

The benefit of storing this amount of carbon in landfills 

offsets the greenhouse gas impact of emitting 6% of all 

generated landfill methane. Adding this benefit to the benefit 

of the maximum possible amount of energy recovery creates 

a scenario in which biodegradation in landfills would incur 

a greenhouse gas benefit if methane emissions are limited 

to 16% or less of all generated landfill methane. Methane 

emissions are limited to 15% of all generated landfill methane 

in this hypothetical scenario, so a beneficial greenhouse 

gas impact is incurred. It should be emphasized that carbon 

storage is a benefit of the inhibition of biodegradation 

in landfills, and this benefit increases as the extent of 

biodegradation in landfills decreases.

Biodegradation in landfills may incur harmful, 

neutral, or beneficial greenhouse gas impacts, 

depending on the fate of the methane that is 

generated during the biodegradation process. 

Any methane emitted to the atmosphere incurs a harmful 

greenhouse gas impact. Neutral greenhouse gas impacts occur 

when methane is converted to carbon dioxide by cover soil 

oxidation or flaring, since carbon dioxide emissions that result 

from the biodegradation of biogenic carbon are not counted 

as human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. The only 

mitigation method that causes biodegradation in landfills to 

result in a beneficial greenhouse gas impact is the practice of 

combusting collected methane with energy recovery.

The overall opportunity for biodegradation in landfills 

to incur a greenhouse gas benefit may be determined by 

examining a hypothetical scenario in which every landfill 

collects LFG and uses energy recovery. Assuming average 

climate conditions and average timeliness of installing a 

gas collection system for every landfill, 85% of all generated 

landfill methane would be collected, and 15% of all generated 

landfill methane would not be collected. A practical maximum 

limit of the percentage of all generated landfill methane 

that may be used for energy recovery is 72%, which takes 

into account the estimated 85% methane utilization ability 

of energy recovery systems. For this scenario to incur a 

greenhouse gas benefit, methane oxidation in cover soils must 

attenuate the uncollected methane to an amount that, once 

emitted, will incur harmful greenhouse gas impacts that are 

outweighed by the greenhouse gas benefit of energy recovery.

Assuming that the energy generated by landfill methane 

would offset the harmful greenhouse gas impacts of grid 

energy production as determined by a national average, the 

benefit of recovering energy from 72% of all generated landfill 

methane would outweigh the harmful greenhouse gas impacts 

of emitting 10% of all generated landfill methane. Therefore, 

in order for a greenhouse gas benefit to result from the 

ASSESSINGTHEGREENHOUSEGASIMPACTSOFBIODEGRADATIONINLANDFILLS

THE OVERALL GREENHOUSE GAS IMPACT OF BIODEGRADATION IN LANDF

Biodegradation in landfills currently incu

harmful greenhouse gas impact and a rela

small greenhouse gas benefit.

The appropriate method of ca

considering the biodegradation 

carbon. Because fossil carbon wa

from the atmosphere, carbon sto

a benefit and carbon dioxide em

fossil carbon are considered to b

greenhouse gas emissions. If a m

carbon, such as plastic, were to b

energy recovery systems, it wou

gas benefit unless oxidation in c

uncollected methane by at least 

methane oxidation in cover soils

this percentage of uncollected m

Currently, biodegradation in la

greenhouse gas impact that is ov

it was estimated that only 30% of

methane was used for energy rec

generated landfill methane was e

biodegradation in landfills curren

greenhouse gas impact and a rela

gas benefit. It is theoretically pos

in landfills could someday incur 

gas impact, but it is not probable

will be outfitted with optimal ene

foreseeable future, biodegradatio

to continue resulting in a harmfu
Exhibit C 
POSITION PAPER ON 

DEGRADABLE ADDITIVES 

The Society of the Plastics Industry 

Bioplastics Council 

Published January 2013 

www.bioplasticscouncil.org

 

Exhibit C
 COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER 

This report is copyright 2013, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) Bioplastics 

Council. All rights reserved. 

The participating authors and their respective employers individually or collectively do not 

necessarily endorse all of the views, opinions, techniques, processes or advice given in this 

document. The document is intended for general information only. Companies or individuals 

following any actions described herein do so entirely at their own risk. Readers should bear in 

mind that due to the wide variety of companies and organizations involved in the preparation of 

this publication and their specific requirements, the views and opinions expressed should not be 

taken as specific advice. 

The information and examples provided in this document are not necessarily exhaustive or

exclusive and do not claim to satisfy all current regulatory or other legal requirements. This 

information is offered in good faith and believed to be technically sound when provided, but is 

made without warranty, expressed or implied, as to merchantability, fitness for a particular 

purpose, accuracy, reliability or any other matter. 

In publishing and making this document available, SPI, its members and contributors do not 

assume any responsibility for the user’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations, nor do 

they undertake any professional or other obligation to any persons relying on these materials for 

such compliance. SPI disclaims liability for any personal injury, property, or other damages of 

any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or 

indirectly resulting from the publication, use, or application of, or reliance on, this document. 

SPI is not a testing body and does not undertake to guarantee the performance of any individual 

manufacturer’s or seller’s products, designs, installations or services by virtue of issuing this 

document. Manufacturers, processors, distributors and other users of this document should 

consult with their own legal and technical advisors in complying with applicable laws and 

regulations. 

Exhibit C
The SPI Bioplastics Council would like to thank the following 

individuals for reviewing this document: 

Dr. Morton Barlaz, Professor and Department Head – Department of 

Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina

State University

Dr. Joe Greene, Professor of Sustainable Manufacturing and 

Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Chico

The reviewers provided a review of this document but did not have final approval of the 

document and do not specifically endorse the document. This page acknowledges their 

contributions.

Exhibit C
1

On the topic of “degradable additives,” the SPI Bioplastics Council formally updates its

2010 position paper. In this position paper, the SPI Bioplastics Council outlines the issues 

and questions of concern in order to support consumers, retailers and the plastics industry 

in identifying unsubstantiated and misleading product claims around degradability and 

biodegradability of plastics.

Definitions 

For clarity, a few terms are defined here to prevent confusion. 

Bioplastic: plastic that is biodegradable, has biobased content or both. 

Biodegradable Plastic: a plastic that undergoes biodegradation under specified environmental 

conditions (a process in which the degradation results from the action of naturally-occurring 

micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae) and within specified degradation time as 

per accepted industry standards. As of 2013, accepted industry standard specifications include:

ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868, ASTM D7081, ISO 17088 and EN 13432. 

Degradable Plastic: a plastic designed to undergo a significant change in its chemical structure 

under specific environmental conditions, resulting in a loss of some properties that may be 

measured by standard test methods appropriate to the plastic and the application in a period of 

time that determines its classification. 

Oxo-Degradation of Plastics: degradation identified as resulting from oxidative cleavage of 

macromolecules. (CEN TC249/WG9) 

Oxo-Biodegradation of Plastics: degradation identified as resulting from oxidative and cellmediated phenomena, either simultaneously or successively. (CEN TC249/WG9)

Introduction 

Terms such as “degradable,” “oxo-degradable,” “oxo-biodegradable,” “oxo-green” and “landfill 

degradable” are often used to promote products made with traditional plastics supplemented with 

specific degradable additives. Products made with these technologies and available in the market 

include film applications such as trash can liners, shopping bags, agricultural mulch films,

landfill daily covers and plastic bottles. There are serious concerns amongst many plastics, 

composting and waste management experts that these products do not meet their claimed 

environmental promises. 

The “degradable additives” are typically incorporated in conventional plastics such as 

polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and 

polyvinyl chloride (PVC) during the converting process from polymer pellets to final products. 

Addition rates vary by type of degradable additive and planned use but are typically below 5%. 

These additives are based on chemical catalysts containing transition metals such as cobalt, 

manganese, iron, etc., or organic materials, which may cause fragmentation as a result of a 

chemical oxidation of the plastics’ polymer chains triggered by ultraviolet irradiation or heat 

Exhibit C
2

exposure, or outright biodegradation of the organic additive. In a second phase, the resulting 

fragments are claimed to eventually undergo biodegradation. While there is chemical theory to 

support a very slow biodegradation process, the absence of light and oxygen as well as the 

presence of moisture or very low temperatures act as dimmer switches for the process, resulting 

in a very slow or absent chemical process. This is similar to putting water on a fire. The chemical 

process is halted and the fire stops. 

In addition to additives that trigger the fragmentation process, the “degradable additives” include 

stabilizers, which are added to limit the unwanted fragmentation of the polymer chains while the 

plastic is progressing along the value chain from production to warehousing to end use.

However, the stabilizing effect of the additives is limited. A peer reviewed research study has 

concluded that “even with some content of stabilizing additives, PE film [with ‘degradable 

additives’] loses its mechanical properties rather fast, especially when exposed to sun-light.”i

 For 

this reason, different storage conditions are required in order to prevent premature ageing and 

loss of mechanical properties for plastics containing “degradable additives.”

The terms (i.e., “degradable,” “oxo-degradable,” “oxo-biodegradable,” “oxo-green” and “landfill 

degradable”) suggest that the products can undergo rapid degradation and biodegradation under 

many different end-of-life conditions. However, the main effect of oxidation is fragmentation, 

not biodegradation, into small particles, which remain in the environment for an indeterminate 

amount of time, becoming uncontrollable in terms of their final disposition. 

The SPI Bioplastics Council considers the use of terms without reference to existing acceptable 

standard specifications misleading, and as such are not reproducible and verifiable. Also since no 

peer reviewed data has been released publicly relating to mineralization rates that support the 

claims of complete biodegradation for these additive technologies, the term “oxobiodegradable,” and more specifically biodegradation in general, lacks meaning and is not 

supported by any recognized industry certifications or third-party peer reviewed scientific data. 

In addition, the term “biodegradable” by itself is no more informative than the adjective “tasty,”

used to advertise food products. The term “oxo-biodegradable” is an appealing marketing term 

that is very misleading because the “biodegradation” cannot be verified because of the absence 

of standard specifications (i.e., an explicit set of requirements to be satisfied by a product with 

pass/fail criteria well defined).

Standards and Certifications 

There are several internationally established and acknowledged standards and certifications that 

effectively substantiate claims of biodegradation under certain, specific end-of-life conditions. 

For compostability there are standard specifications EN 13432, ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868 

and ISO 17088 (note: full titles are listed in Table 1 below). Complete biodegradation levels 

under industrial composting conditions in less than six months must be proven, according to 

these specifications. The specification of time needed for the ultimate biodegradation is an 

essential requirement for any third-party tested and certified biodegradability claim. For the 

bioplastics industry, certification of industrial compostability can be attained by meeting certain 

standards or requirements established by accredited organizations such as ASTM International, 

Exhibit C
3

the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the European Committee for 

Standardization (CEN). The published standards are then used to certify materials and products 

by several other organizations including DIN CERTCO in Germany, the Japanese BioPlastics 

Association in Japan, Vinçotte in Belgium, the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) in

Canada, the Australasian Bioplastics Association in Australia/New Zealand or the Biodegradable 

Products Institute (BPI) in the U.S. These certification agencies use well-researched and vetted 

test specifications to establish third-party, peer reviewed programs to confirm the end-of-life 

performance of bioplastic materials following the requirements of the standard specifications.

With the ongoing development of new materials, standards and certifications for other end-oflife scenarios have or are in the process of being developed. ASTM has approved ASTM D7081 

for the marine environment end-of-life and uses the term marine biodegradable. At this time the 

testing done on “degradable additives” often refers to ASTM D5338 and D5511, but these 

standard test methods are not standard specifications, do not take the material to complete 

biodegradation, and contain no pass or fail criteria established by the industry for rate, time or 

amount of biodegradation. Tables 1-3 provide examples of test specifications, guides and 

methodologies as well as an explanation to the proper use of each term. 

Table 1: List of Standard (Pass/Fail) Specifications Discussed in the Position Paper* 

Test 

Specifications

Title Duration

ASTM D6400 Standard Specification for Labeling 

of Plastics Designed to be 

Aerobically Composted in 

Municipal or Industrial Facilities 

84 days disintegration; 180 

days mineralization

ASTM D6868 Standard Specification for 

Biodegradable Plastics Used as 

Coatings on Paper and Other 

Compostable Substrates

84 days disintegration; 180 

days mineralization

ASTM D7081 Standard Specification for NonFloating Biodegradable Plastics in 

the Marine Environment

Up to 365 days

EN 13432 Requirements for Packaging 

Recoverable Through Composting 

and Biodegradation – Test Scheme 

and Evaluation Criteria for the Final

Acceptance of Packaging

84 days disintegration; 180 

days mineralization

ISO 17088 Specifications for Compostable 

Plastics

84 days disintegration; 180 

days mineralization

*Note: Standard specifications carry pass/fail criteria and reporting. 

Exhibit C
4

Table 2: Example of Test Guides** 

Test Guides Title

ASTM D6954 Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in 

the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and 

Biodegradation

**Note: Test guides provide a framework or roadmap of steps, criteria, procedures or a 

 general approach but provide no pass/fail guidance on how to qualify results of the tests.

Table 3: Examples of Test Methodologies***

Test

Methodologies

Purpose Data Obtained

ASTM D5338 Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic 

Materials Under Controlled 

Composting Conditions

Degree and Rate of Aerobic 

Biodegradation

ASTM D5511 Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic 

Materials Under High-Solids 

Anaerobic Digestion Conditions

Test Duration, % Landfill 

Biodegradation

ASTM D5988 Soil Biodegradability Test Duration, % Soil 

Biodegradation

ASTM D6691 Marine Biodegradation Test Duration, % Marine 

Biodegradation

ASTM D6866 Biobased Carbon Content % Biobased Carbon 

Content

***Note: Test methodologies provide standardized guidelines on how to conduct testing 

but provide no pass/fail guidance on how to qualify results of the tests. 

Guidance on Marketing Claims for Biodegradation 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that “municipal solid waste (MSW) 

landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States, 

releasing an estimated 27.5 million metric tons of carbon equivalent to the atmosphere in 2009 

alone.”

ii In addition, EPA estimates that only about 35% of municipal solid waste goes to 

landfills that capture methane for energy use. EPA estimates that another 34% of landfills 

capture methane and burn it off on-site, while 31% allow the methane to escape.iii

Dr. Morton Barlaz and James Levis of North Carolina State University modeled global warming 

potential (GWP) of food waste disposed of and decomposed through different end-of-life means. 

Industrial composting was found to have a lower GWP than landfills without gas collecting and 

landfills with gas collecting but not energy recovery. But, anaerobic degradation (assuming 

energy recovery) and landfills with gas collection and energy recovery were modeled to have 

lower GWP than industrial composting. That is, end-of life options with energy recovery have 

the lowest GWP. However as noted above, only 35% of landfills utilize energy recovery at this 

time. It is anticipated that landfills that encourage anaerobic digestion and energy recovery will 

be increasingly common. 

Exhibit C
5

Overall, landfill biodegradation claims as a positive factor are misleading as noted in several 

reports. In another peer reviewed journal article by Dr. Barlaz and Mr. Levis entitled, “Is 

Biodegradability a Desirable Attribute for Discarded Solid Waste? Perspectives from a National 

Landfill Greenhouse Gas Inventory Model,”iii highlighted research using a life-cycle accounting 

of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with discarding waste in both nationalaverage and state-of-the-art landfills. The results of this research show that disposing of mixed 

municipal solid waste in a state-of-the-art landfill is carbon negative, but disposing of similar 

waste in a national-average landfill leads to positive GHG emissions. The results of this analysis 

also show that the more degradable a material is, the greater the GHG emissions it generates

when disposed in a landfill. As Mr. Levis, one of the study authors, notes in a follow-up opinion 

letter written to industry trade publications, “the best material to have in a landfill, from a GHG 

emissions standpoint, is one that does not degrade at all.”

iv In addition, using her own “landfill 

math,” Dr. Sally Brown of the University of Washington stated that when it comes to organics, it 

is clear that “keeping these [residual] organics out of the landfill is the environmentally best 

answer, hands down.”v, vi

Some companies note that while their products are intended for non-landfill end-of-life options 

(e.g., industrial composting), products may end up in a landfill. A recent peer-reviewed article 

appearing in the journal of Polymer Degradation and Stability concluded that IngeoTM

biopolymer (i.e., polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymer from NatureWorks LLC) is essentially stable 

in landfills with no statistically significant quantity of methane released. This “conclusion was 

reached after a series of tests to ASTM D5526 [“Standard Test Method for Determining 

Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Accelerated Landfill Conditions”] and 

ASTM D5511 [“Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic 

Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions”] standards that simulated a 

century's worth of landfill conditions.”

vii While IngeoTM PLA resin is not intended for disposal in 

a landfill, its behavior in a landfill demonstrates that one cannot broad-brush all bioplastics into 

one category or with the same set of performance characteristics. 

In October 2012, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its revised Guides for the 

Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, also known as the “Green Guides.” The Guides’

section on “degradable claims” which the FTC notes is applicable to oxo-degradables, oxobiodegradables and similar claims states that (a) marketers may make an unqualified degradable 

claim only if they can provide that the “entire product or package will completely break down 

and return to nature within a reasonably short period of time (defined as within one year) after 

customary disposal and (b) “unqualified degradable claims for items that are customarily 

disposed in landfills, incinerators and recycling facilities are deceptive because these locations 

do not present conditions in which complete decomposition will occur within one year.”viii

Additionally, the U.S. National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business 

Bureaus has recommended that advertisers discontinue claims such as “100% oxo-biodegradable 

or degradable” because such statements incorrectly suggest that a plastic will quickly or 

completely biodegrade with the help of these additives. In fact, the NAD and FTC have taken 

action against companies using the additive technology for “oxo-biodegradables” and using the 

word “biodegradable” for marketing purposes for making false and unsubstantiated claims.ix

Exhibit C
6

Peer Testing of Degradable Additives 

Other organizations such as the BPI have tested bottlesx,xi,xii,xiii and bagsxiv,xv containing 

degradable additives, to confirm claims made about the biodegradability of the product. In the 

case of the bottles that were tested using ASTM D5511, BPI noted that “after 60 days, the bottle 

achieved an overall biodegradation total of 4.47% or 10% of the positive control. Moreover, 

the biodegradation process has stopped, as the gas generation curve has plateaued. Per ASTM 

D5511-11, the results of this test cannot be extrapolated to claim that the bottle will fully 

biodegrade in the future.” In the case of the bags that were tested using ASTM D5511, BPI noted 

that “after 60 days, the bags achieved an overall biodegradation total of 0.16% or less than 1% 

of the positive control. Additionally, the biodegradation process has stopped, as the gas 

generation curve plateaued. This marks the second 60 day test showing that the overall level of 

biodegradation stopped before the end of the test in products made from traditional resin that 

incorporate ‘organic’ biodegradable additives.”

Fragmentation Is Not the Same as Biodegradation

Fragmentation of “degradable additives” for plastics is not the result of a biodegradation process 

but rather the result of a chemical reaction. The resulting fragments will remain in the 

environment.xvi Fragmentation is not a solution to the waste problem, but rather the conversion 

of visible contaminants (such as bags, cutlery, packaging) into invisible contaminants (plastic 

fragments). This is generally not considered a feasible solution to plastic waste, as the behavioral 

problem of pollution by discarding waste in the environment could be even stimulated by these 

kinds of product claims. Furthermore, while plastic products can be collected once in the 

environment, plastic fragments at very small levels are impossible to collect or control. A study 

by Woods End Laboratories and Eco-Cycle entitled “Micro-Plastics in Compost,” proposed that 

“only products that meet ASTM D6400, EN 13432 or BPI [Biodegradable Products Institute] 

standards should be allowed in food waste collection programs.”xvii

An Answer to Littering or the Promotion of Littering? 

“Degradable additives” for plastic products have been described as a solution to littering 

problems, whereby they supposedly fragment in the natural environment. In fact, such a concept 

risks increasing littering instead of reducing it. The United Nations Environment Program 

(UNEP) stresses that littering is a behavioral problem and must be resolved by raising 

environmental awareness and by the establishment of appropriate waste management systems.xviii

“Degradable additives” for plastics are not specified as a solution by UNEP. Long standing 

efforts for the prevention of littering could actually be damaged by giving users of plastic items 

the impression that those items might vanish harmlessly if discarded into the environment. In 

fact, even food waste littering can be cited in many states and fined, even though the food waste 

is completely biodegradable.xix

Accumulation of Plastic Fragments Bears Risks for the Environment 

If “degrading” plastics are littered and end up in the landscape they are supposed to start to 

disintegrate due to the effect of the additives that trigger fragmentation and ultimately 

biodegradation. Consequently, plastic fragments would be spread around the surrounding area. 

Exhibit C
7

As ultimate biodegradability has not been demonstrated for these fragments,xx there is substantial 

risk of accumulation of persistent substances in the environment. 

Through the impact of wind or precipitation the plastic fragments can drift into aquatic or marine 

habitat where they affect organisms and pose the risk of bioaccumulation. In addition, studies by 

the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have shown that these degraded 

plastics can attract toxic chemicals such as PCB, DDE and others from the environment and act 

as transport medium in marine environments.xxi Such persistent organic pollutants in the marine 

environment were found to have negative effects on marine resources.xxi

Organic Recovery Is Not Feasible 

Collection and recovery schemes for organic waste are likely to suffer from the use of 

“degradable additive” containing products, if they are not biodegradable under current biological 

treatment processes such as composting or anaerobic digestion. These materials are reported to

not meet the requirements of organic recovery via composting,xxii but are often selected by 

consumers because of misleading advertising and low cost. Reduction in quality of finished 

compost or digestate is likely should the degradable additive containing product not meet the 

requirements for biodegradation.

Regrettably, sometimes the “degradable” products have been publicized as “biodegradable” and 

“compostable,” despite not meeting the standard specifications for organic recycling via 

composting. The terms oxo-biodegradable, oxo-degradable and the like can be taken by the 

consumers as synonyms of “biodegradable and compostable” and be erroneously recovered via 

organics recycling. This is why the Italian Antitrust Authority in 2005 sanctioned a retailer 

distributing “100% degradable” shopping bags made with PE supplemented with degradable 

additives.xxiii

This can lead to a general mistrust by consumers and composting plant managers towards the 

whole sector of certified biodegradable plastics and thus lead to a lack of acceptance of certified 

biodegradable and compostable materials. Therefore, well-developed and broadly accepted 

certification programs according to ASTM D6400 in the U.S. or EN 13432 in Europe or 

equivalent standards should be applied. 

In the interest of the best recovery of organic waste such as food and yard debris, the 

involvement of “degradable” materials in such recovery programs should be avoided. 

Plastic Recycling Programs Are Disturbed 

A further environmentally feasible option for the handling of used plastics is that of traditional 

recycling or repurposing. “Degradable additive” containing products often hamper recycling of 

post-consumer plastics. In practice, the “degradable additive” containing plastics are traditional 

plastics, such as PE, PP and PET. The only difference is that they incorporate additives which 

affect their chemical stability. Thus, they are identified and classified according to their chemical 

structure and finish together with the other plastic waste in the recycling streams. In this way, 

they bring their “degradable additives” to the recyclate feedstock. As a consequence the 

Exhibit C
8

recyclates may be destabilized causing unexpected and premature degradation of products 

produced from the recyclate, which will hinder acceptance and lead to reduced value.xxiv, xxv

Conclusion 

The position of the SPI Bioplastics Council is that any claim, especially claims for consumers,

needs to be supported by third-party vetted scientific evidence based on well-established 

standard specifications. In the case of “degradable additives” the problem is one of claiming 

“biodegradation” where there is no evidence to support those claims or prove biodegradability as 

per accepted, third-party vetted specifications. Allowing the brand owner, retailer or ultimately 

the consumer to decide what they consider a “biodegradable” product to be is risky, as this 

would lead to varying definitions that would only lead to greater consumer confusion. As the

biodegradable and compostable “end-of-life” products continue to grow along with organic 

waste diversion from landfill programs, it is the duty of the industry to provide clear,

substantiated scientific third-party certifications that will assure stakeholders that the products 

offered meet their requirements for end-of-life disposal and offer real value in their intended use. 

Exhibit C
9

References 

i

Koutny, Marek, Jaques Lemaire and Anne-Marie Delort. “Biodegradation of Prooxidant films 

with Prooxidant Additives.” Chemosphere 64 (2006): 1243-1252.

ii Landfill Methane Outreach Program.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. July 2012. 9 

August 2012. <http://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-info/index.html#a02>.

iii “Is Biodegradability a Desirable Attribute for Discarded solid waste? Perspectives from a 

national landfill greenhouse gas inventory model.” Environmental Science & Technology, 

45(13), 5470-5476. Levis, J. W. and Barlaz, M.A., 27 May 2011. 

iv Levis, James. “Collecting Landfill Gas a Good Step.” Plastics News. July 2011. 8 August 2012 

<http://plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?id=22501&q=collecting+landfill+gas>. 

v Brown, Sally. “Climate Change Connections: Landfill Gas Math.” BioCycle. Dec. 2009. 10 

Aug. 2012 <http://www.biocycle.net/2009/12/climate-change-connections-landfill-gas-math/>. 

vi Brown, Sally. “Climate Change Connections.” BioCycle. May 2011: 50. 

vii Omnexus. “Research Finds NatureWorks’ IngeoTM Biopolymer Releases No Major Amount of 

Methane in Landfill.” Omnexus. 2012. 2 Oct. 2012 

<http://www.omnexus.com/news/news.aspx?id=31273>.

viii Federal Trade Commission. “FTC Issues Revised ‘Green Guides.’” 1 Oct. 2012. 1 October 

2012 <http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/10/greenguides.shtm >. 

ix National Advertising Division. “NAD Examines Advertising for GP Plastics Corp. ‘PolyGreen 

Plastic Bags’ Case Report.” 5 March 2009. 2 May 2012 

<http://www.nadreview.org/CaseReports.aspx >.

x Biodegradable Products Institute. “BPI Tests Aquamantra "Biodegradable" Bottle.” 

Biodegradable Products Institute. February 2011. 9 August 2012 <http://www.bpiworld.org/BPIPublic/News/Article.html?mode=PostView&bmi=513259>. 

xi NSF International. “NSF International Test Report.” Biodegradable Products Institute. January 

2011. 9 August 2012 

<http://www.bpiworld.org/Resources/Documents/Aquamantra%20NSF%20PET%20D5511%20

Test%20Results%20J-00091962%20Final%20Report.pdf>. 

xii Biodegradable Products Institute. “Additional Testing Data on Aquamantra Bottles.” 

Biodegradable Products Institute. May 2011 2011. 9 August 2012

<http://www.bpiworld.org/BPI-Public/News/Article.html?mode=PostView&bmi=590719>.

xiii Organic Waste Systems. “Final Report – High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Under 

Thermophilic Conditions of Aquamantra Bottle.” Biodegradable Products Institute. March 2011. 

9 August 2012. 

Exhibit C
10

 

<http://www.bpiworld.org/Resources/Documents/OWS%20Aquamantra%20Final%20Report%2

0Mar%2011.pdf>.

xiv Biodegradable Products Institute. “Testing Results for Green Genius ‘Biodegradable’ Bags.”

Biodegradable Products Institute. April 2011. 9 August 2012 <http://www.bpiworld.org/BPIPublic/News/Article.html?mode=PostView&bmi=563777>.

xv NSF International. “NSF International Test Report – Green Genius ‘Biodegradable’ Bags.” 

Biodegradable Products Institute. March 2011. 9 August 2012 <http://www.bpiworld.org/BPIPublic/News/Article.html?mode=PostView&bmi=563777>.

xvi Narayan, Ramani. “Biodegradability – Sorting Facts and Claims.” Bioplastics Magazine 1

(2009): 29.

xvii Woods End Laboratories and Eco-Cycle. “Micro-Plastics in Compost.” April 2011. EcoCycle. 9 July 2012 

<http://www.ecocycle.org/files/pdfs/microplastics_in_compost_summary.pdf >. 

xviii United Nations Environment Programme. “Marine Litter – A Global Challenge” 9 June 

2009. 2 May 2012 

<www.unep.org/regionalseas/marinelitter/publications/docs/Marine_Litter_A_Global_Challenge

.pdf>. 

xix National Public Radio. “Lettuce-Littering Incident Comes to a Head.” National Public Radio. 

2006. 5 Oct. 2012 < http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5169709>. 

xx Rios, Lorena, Patrick R. Jones, Charles Moore, and Urja V. Narayan. “Quantitation of 

Persistent Organic Pollutants Adsorbed on Plastic Debris from the Northern Pacific Gyre’s 

“Eastern Garbage Patch.” Journal of Environmental Monitoring. 12 (12) (2010): 2226-2236.

xxi Mato Yukie et.al. “Plastic Resin Pallets as a Transport Medium for Toxic Chemicals in the 

Marine Environment.” Environmental Science and Technology 35(2) (2001): 318-324 .

xxii California State University, Chico Research Foundation. “Performance Evaluation of 

Environmentally Degradable Plastic Packaging and Disposable Food Service Ware – Final 

Report.” June 2007. 2 May 2012 

<http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Publications/Plastics/43208001.pdf>.

xxiii Italian Official GAZETTE No. 2, 30 Jan. 2006.

xxiv National Association for Plastic Container Resources. “Association of Postconsumer Plastic 

Recyclers (APR) and the National Association for Plastic Container Resources (NAPCOR) 

Express Concerns About Degradable Additives.” 12 Feb. 2009. 2 May 2012 <

http://www.napcor.com/pdf/Degradables_Release.pdf >. 

xxv European Plastics Recyclers. “OXO Degradables Incompatibility with Plastics Recycling.” 11 

June 2009. 2 May 2012 <www.plasticsrecyclers.eu/press>.

Exhibit C
Exhibit D 
National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), PO Box 1327, Sonoma, CA 95476 

tel: 707/996-4207 fax: 707/935-1998 www.napcor.com 

For Immediate Release Contacts:

Dennis Sabourin, NAPCOR, 707-996-4207, x13 

 Kate Eagles, NAPCOR, 707-996-4207, x16

DEGRADABLE ADDITIVES PROVIDE POOR END-OF-LIFE OPTION 

FOR PET PACKAGING, SAYS NAPCOR 

PET Trade Organization Opposes Their Use, Citing Continued Lack of Data 

May 3, 2011, Sonoma, CA -- The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) today 

reiterated its position on degradable additives, confirming its opposition to their use in all PET packaging. 

The PET trade organization had previously urged caution in the use of these additives (May 2009), citing 

lack of data about potential effects on PET recycling. NAPCOR’s decision to reaffirm its public stance on 

this issue was prompted by continued new package introductions and related claims, without adequate new 

data demonstrating additives’ efficacy as an end-of-life strategy, or their effects on recycling. 

“There is still insufficient evidence that these additives do ‘no harm’ to the PET recycling stream under reallife conditions, nor is there data to confirm that the lifespan and functionality of the many next-use products 

made from recycled PET won’t be adversely affected,” said Tom Busard, NAPCOR’s Chairman. “This is of 

serious concern to the PET packaging and recycling industries.”

Degradable additives are commonly added during the production of plastic packaging in order to promote 

degradation of that packaging under certain circumstances. These additives are impossible to detect visually, 

or through any commonly used recycled material sorting technologies. NAPCOR maintains that the use of 

degradable additives in PET packaging not only jeopardizes PET recycling due to unknown potential 

consequences, but runs counter to the principles of sustainability and sound environmental stewardship, 

making it a poor end-of-life option: 

Increases GHGs emitted in landfills and elsewhere; 

Squanders value of the energy inherent in a plastic package that would be captured through recycling 

and re-converting to a new end-use application; 

Provides no nutrient value to the environment in which it decomposes; 

Endangers post consumer plastic recycling for those resins in which the additive is used; 

Solves no solid waste management problems, including litter. 

(A study recently released by NSF International indicates a biodegradation total of less than 

5% after 60 days for the additive-containing bottle(s) tested. For link to full report: 

http://www.bpiworld.org/BPI-Public/News/Article.html?mode=PostView&bmi=513259 ) 

Exhibit D
Degradable Additives Provide Poor End-of-life Option, says NAPCOR 

May 2, 2011, Page 2 

National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), PO Box 1327, Sonoma, CA 95476 

tel: 707/996-4207 fax: 707/935-1998 www.napcor.com 

Concern about the integrity and safety of products made from recycled materials containing degradable 

additives, and the lack of data on their potential effects on the PET recycling stream, prompted the plastics 

recycling trade organization, The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR), to develop and 

publish test protocols in early 2010, “Degradable Additives and PET Recycling Technical Compatibility 

Testing Guidance.” (Find these protocols at http://www.plasticsrecycling.org/technicalresources/testing/degradable-additives-testing-for-pet )

 “Although some data have come in, they are not sufficient to remove doubt about the potential effects of 

these additives,” said APR Technical Director David Cornell. “Since the protocols were made public about a 

year ago, only a very small percentage of the manufacturers that market these products have made public any 

data on recycling effects. We are far from assured these products do no harm. On the contrary, we have 

serious and legitimate concerns that continue unanswered.” 

In 2009, over 1.4 billion pounds of post consumer PET containers were recycled in the United States. The 

post consumer PET recycling infrastructure depends on the quality of the recyclate and its suitability for a 

variety of next-life product applications. The value of recycled materials is an important economic driver for 

curbside recycling programs throughout the country; successful recycling creates jobs, as well as an energy 

and resource-efficient source of raw material. Additives with unknown consequences put this entire system at 

risk – and for no practical, data-supported environmental or solid waste management gain. 

NAPCOR calls upon product stewards and packaging decision makers to refrain from using degradable 

additives, except where specified by law, and reiterates its call for all stakeholders to fully consider the 

impacts behind the use of these additives, both in the context of meaningful marketing claims, and in light of 

the broader issues of sustainability, climate change, and resource conservation. 

# # # 

Founded in 1987, NAPCOR is the trade association for the PET plastic packaging industry in the United 

States and Canada. NAPCOR is committed to being the credible voice and champion of the PET industry; 

to facilitating solutions to PET recycling; and to communicating the attributes of PET, an environmentally 

sustainable package. For more about NAPCOR, or to contact NAPCOR staff, 

visit www.napcor.com.

Exhibit D
Exhibit E 
Contractor’s Report to the Board

Performance Evaluation of 

Environmentally Degradable Plastic 

Packaging and Disposable Food 

Service Ware - Final Report 

June 2007 

Produced under contract by: 

California State University 

Chico Research Foundation 

Exhibit E
3 

Executive Summary 

As a way to conserve resources, reduce waste, and eliminate litter that harms marine life, the people of 

California, green businesses, environmental organizations, and local governments are increasingly 

interested in alternatives to the use of plastic bags and disposable food service ware. In response, a 

growing number of manufacturers are offering plastic products and packaging which they claim will 

decompose naturally in the environment or through composting. The growing presence of these new 

plastics raises a number of important questions for consumers and policymakers. 

In response, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) contracted with California 

State University (CSU), Chico to study and report on the following: 

x The designed-use performance and compostability of commercially available products and 

packaging that claim to be “compostable” and “degradable.”

x The degradability of several commercially available compostable plastics under laboratory 

conditions. 

x How well degradable plastic products decompose in actual composting facilities and in a 

simulated marine environment. 

x The potential for degradable plastics to contaminate conventional recycled plastics. 

Test Products and Facilities 

The researchers tested several commercially available degradable plastic products in six different 

composting environments and a simulated marine environment. The composting environments included a 

laboratory and actual facilities composting greenwaste, cow manure and straw, food waste, municipal 

solid waste, and an enclosed “in-vessel” facility in the absence of oxygen. The possible effects of 

contamination were examined by chemically and mechanically testing molded blends of degradable 

plastics and recycled plastics. 

Research Results 

The following results are based on the experimental conditions described in this report: 

1. All of the products tested, except those that degrade in sunlight or oxygen, disintegrated 

satisfactorily in commercial composting operations within 180 days. Specifically, a minimum of 

60 percent of the organic carbon converted to carbon dioxide by the end of the test period. See 

Table 1. 

 

2. For all products, the measured amounts of lead and cadmium in finished compost were less than 

one percent of maximum allowable levels. 

3. The polylactic acid (PLA) straws, polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) bags, Ecoflex bags, sugar cane 

plates and corn starch based trash bags released no toxic materials into the compost and 

successfully supported the growth of tomato seedlings after ten days. 

4. The PLA lids, PHA bags, Ecoflex bags, Husky bags and corn starch based trash bags degraded 

completely in the enclosed “in-vessel” composting facility. However, oxodegradable and uvdegradable bags, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags, sugar cane lids, and Kraft paper 

did not degrade. 

5. The PHA bags experienced some disintegration in ocean water; all the other products did not 

disintegrate at all. 

6. Biodegradable plastics and plastics that degrade in oxygen or sunlight reduce the quality and 

impair the mechanical properties of finished products manufactured with recycled content. 

Exhibit E
15 

Current Standards for Biodegradable Plastics 

Several worldwide organizations are involved in setting standards for biodegradable and compostable 

plastics, including: American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), European Committee for 

Standardization (CEN), International Standards Organization (ISO), German Institute for Standardization 

(DIN), Japanese Institute for Standardization (JIS), and British Plastics Federation. The standards set by 

these organizations have helped the industry create biodegradable and compostable products that meet the 

increasing worldwide demand for more environmentally friendly plastics. [32] 

 

Germany, the United States, and Japan are cooperating in developing certification schemes to enable 

international cross-certification of products, so that a product certified in one of these countries would 

automatically be eligible for certification in another. 

United States 

In the US, ASTM D6400 is the accepted standard for evaluating compostable plastics. The ASTM D6400 

standard specifies the procedures for certifying that compostable plastics will degrade in municipal and 

industrial aerobic composting facilities over a 180-day time period.[33]

 The standard establishes the 

requirements for materials and product labeling, including packaging made from plastics, to be designated 

as “compostable in municipal and industrial composting facilities.” The standard determines if plastics 

and products made from plastics will compost satisfactorily, including biodegrading at a rate comparable 

to known compostable materials. The standards assure that the degradation of the materials will not 

contaminate the compost site nor diminish the quality of the finished compost. 

ASTM D6400 utilizes ASTM D6002 as a guide for assessing the compostability of environmentally 

degradable plastics, in conjunction with ASTM D5338 to determine aerobic biodegradation under 

controlled composting conditions. ASTM D6400 specifies that a satisfactory rate of biodegradation is the 

conversion of 60 percent of the organic carbon in the plastic into carbon dioxide over a time period not 

greater than 180 days. If a biodegradable polymer does not meet the requirements listed in ASTM D6400 

or EN13433, then it is not considered compostable. It must degrade in the specified time frame without 

leaving any residuals in the compost. [34]

 

In this research, ASTM D6400 was followed when testing the compostability of several rigid packaging 

containers, bags, and cutlery that are made from biodegradable and compostable plastics. 

Compostable plastics are being used safely in the United States with the help of a certification program 

and the establishment of ASTM D6400 standards. BPI and the US Composting Council (USCC) 

established the Compostable Logo program in the United States.[35]

The BPI certification demonstrates 

that biodegradable plastic materials meet the specifications in ASTM D6400 and will biodegrade swiftly 

and safely during municipal and commercial composting. Several degradable plastics, which are available 

for composting, were certified “compostable” in 2002. [36]

 The “compostable” logo helps consumers to 

identify which products meet the ASTM D6400 standard. [37]

 To ensure objectivity, verification of the 

ASTM standard is accomplished through an independent third-party consultant selected by the 

manufacturer. 

Biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in marine environment is based upon ASTM D6691 and ASTM 

D7081. ASTM D6691 is a test method for determining aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials by a 

defined microbial consortium in the marine environment. ASTM D7081 is a standard specification for 

non-floating biodegradable plastics in marine environments. Both standards also require measuring the 

amount of CO2 generated during the degradation process. A test sample demonstrates satisfactory 

biodegradation if after 180 days, 30 percent or more of the sample is converted to carbon dioxide. 

As shown in Table 8, the heavy metal limits in the European standard are more stringent that those listed 

in the US standards. 

Exhibit E
Exhibit F 
Bioplastics in California

Economic Assessment of Market Conditions 

for PHA/PHB Bioplastics 

Produced from Waste Methane

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery September 30, 2013 

Contractor's Report 

Produced Under Contract By: 

David Roland-Holst 

Ryan Triolo 

Sam Heft-Neal 

Bijan Bayrami 

University of California, Berkeley 

California Department of Resources Re

Exhibit F
Contractor’s Report to CalRecycle 1 

Executive Summary 

In 2010, approximately 31 million tons of plastic waste was generated in the United States, which 

accounted for approximately 12.4 percent of total municipal solid waste in that year.1 The 

environmental challenges associated with the production and disposal of conventional plastics are 

significant and substitution of such plastics with biobased alternatives may help mitigate some of 

these impacts. 

Bioplastics, including biobased plastics (polymers made from renewable resources such as corn), 

have been introduced into the world market as an alternative to oil-based plastics. Although 

bioplastics currently represent a small proportion of aggregate plastic consumption worldwide, 

the market share of biobased polymers is increasing. According to some estimates, global 

bioplastic production was approximately 890,000 metric tons in 2012 and is forecasted to grow at 

a compound annual growth rate of 25 percent through 2017 reaching more than 2.5 million metric 

tons.2

In addition to existing production methods for manufacturing plastics from non-petroleum 

feedstocks, a new technology under development by Stanford University may provide yet another 

means of creating plastic products – from waste. This method would not rely on natural resources 

or food crops. Researchers at Stanford University have developed a process by which methane 

(CH4), captured at solid waste landfills or wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs), can be 

utilized as a feedstock to produce a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) polymer resin. The Stanford 

Process, if optimized at a commercial scale, has the potential to create a market in California for 

closed-loop plastic production made from waste. In this report we assess the market outlook for 

these plastics and the economic feasibility of a small-scale PHB production facility in the state, 

co-located at an existing waste treatment site. 

The database and model developed for this study included 118 California solid waste landfills and 

144 WWTFs. We find that of these, 49 landfills and 10 WWTFs already have, or could likely 

attain, sufficient methane capture to produce at least 1,000 metric tons of PHB polymer resin per 

year. 

Certain characteristics of landfill and WWTF locations will be critical when assessing locations 

for the construction of a PHB production facility. The five most critical characteristics are: 

x Facility size (measured in total waste in place or average dry weather flow for landfills 

and WWTFs, respectively). 

x Current generation status (whether CH4 is currently used for power production and if so, 

what percentage of total CH4 available is used). 

x Location and installed power transmission infrastructure. 

x Current CH4 capture and power generation contract status. 

x Volume of excess CH4 currently captured and flared. 

Optimal sites are likely to be mid-sized facilities that may or may not currently capture CH4, but 

do not generate electricity and thus are not subject to contractual agreements with local utilities 

for power generation. PHB resin production may offer an alternative means by which to utilize 

Exhibit F
Contractor’s Report to CalRecycle 2 

waste methane and turn it into a value-added product that can easily be transported, for facilities 

that have limited access to power transmission infrastructure, 

We conducted an analysis to determine the economic viability of a 1,000 metric tons annually (kt 

p.a.) PHB production facility located at a California landfill or WWTF. The results of our model 

suggest that such a facility could be economically viable within a range of conditions. Using the 

baseline parameters explained in this report, we find that a production facility has a positive net 

present worth (NPW)* for any PHB resin price above $1.17/kg ($0.53/lb). This value is highly 

sensitive to our modeling assumptions and we have carried out a variety of sensitivity analyses in 

order to determine the degree to which our assumptions will affect the NPW of a facility. 

Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the impact of the following parameters on the 

project NPW:

x The Stanford estimated PHB yield and energy requirements. 

x Energy procurement method and landfill gas (LFG) collection status. 

x Equipment capital costs and annual operating and maintenance (O&M) costs (including 

labor). 

x Polymer extraction and nutrient costs. 

x PHB price. 

Our model suggests that the greatest sensitivity lies in the costs associated with PHB price and the 

extraction process. Researchers at Stanford University are working to determine the most 

economically viable method of extraction; however, within the context of this modeling 

methodology, we can determine the effect of extraction costs on a dollars-per-unit PHB basis. 

With our baseline parameters, we find that if extraction costs are below $1.68/kg PHB the 

production facility may be economically viable. 

Subject to process assumptions included in this report we find that implementation of such a PHB 

production facility could potentially be economically viable. However, this analysis should not be 

used in the absence of a rigorous site-specific engineering assessment, which would be required 

to determine a detailed cost estimate of a PHB production facility. 

 

* Net present worth is the present value of the net cash flow for each year of the project summed over the 

project lifetime. This calculation is sensitive to the selected discount rate. Discount rate definition and 

assumptions in the model created for this report are discussed below. 

Exhibit F
Docket No. 9358 PUBLIC DOCUMENT 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

I, Rachel N. Jackson certify that on February 27, 2015, as required by FTC Rules of 

Practice 4.2(c) and 4.4(b), I caused the foregoing Motion of Californians Against Waste for 

Leave to File Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of the Position of Complaint Counsel to be 

served and filed as follows: 

The original and 12 paper copies via first-class mail and one electronic copy via email to the 

Office of the Secretary: 

Donald S. Clark, Secretary 

Federal Trade Commission 

600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 172 

Washington, DC 20580 

Email: secretey@ftc.gov 

One electronic copy and one paper copy via first-class mail to the Office of the Administrative 

Law Judge: 

The Honorable D. Michael Chappell 

Administrative Law Judge 

600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 110 

Washington, DC 20580 

Email: oaj@ftc.gov 

One electronic copy to Complaint Coru1sel: 

Katherine Johnson 

Federal Trade Commission 

600 Pe1msylvania Ave., N.W. CC-9528 

Washington, DC 20580 

Email: kjohnson3@ftc.gov 

Elisa Jillson 

Federal Trade Commission 

600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. CC-9528 

Washington, DC 20580 

Email: ejillson@ftc.gov 

One electronic copy to Coru1sel for the Respondent: 

Jonathan W. Emard 

Emard & Associates, P.C. 

11808 WolfRun Lane 

Clifton, VA 20124 

Email: j emord@emord.com 
Docket No. 9358 

Peter Arhangelsky 

Emord & Associates, P.C. 

3210 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 4 

Chandler, AZ 85286 

Email: parhangelsky@emord.com 

Eric J. Awerbuch 

Emord & Associates, P.C. 

3210 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 4 

Chandler, AZ 85286 

Email: eawerbuch@emord.com 

Bethany Ke1medy 

Emord & Associates, P. C. 

3210 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 4 

Chandler, AZ 85286 

Email: bkennedy@emord.com 

PUBLIC DOCUMENT 

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct and that this 

Certificate of Service was executed on this 27th day ofFebruary, 2015, at Sacramento, 

Califomia. 
Notice of Electronic Service for Public Filings

I hereby certify that on February 27, 2015, I filed via hand a paper original and electronic copy of the foregoing

Motion of Californias Against Waste for Leave to file Amicus Curiae Brief and Amicus Curiae Brief, with:

D. Michael Chappell

Chief Administrative Law Judge

600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Suite 110

Washington, DC, 20580

Donald Clark

600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Suite 172

Washington, DC, 20580

I hereby certify that on February 27, 2015, I filed via E-Service of the foregoing Motion of Californias Against

Waste for Leave to file Amicus Curiae Brief and Amicus Curiae Brief, with:

Jonathan Emord

Emord & Associates, P.C.

jemord@emord.com

Respondent

Peter Arhangelsky

Emord & Associates, P.C.

parhangelsky@emord.com

Respondent

Lou Caputo

Emord & Associates, P.C.

lcaputo@emord.com

Respondent

Katherine Johnson

Complaint Counsel

Federal Trade Commission

kjohnson3@ftc.gov

Complaint

Elisa Jillson

Complaint Counsel

Federal Trade Commission

ejillson@ftc.gov

Complaint

Jonathan Cohen

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Enforcement Division

jcohen2@ftc.gov

Complaint

Joshua Millard

Attorney

Federal Trade Commission

jmillard@ftc.gov

Complaint

Benjamin Theisman

Attorney
Federal Trade Commission

btheisman@ftc.gov

Complaint

Eric Awerbuch

Emord & Associates

eawerbuch@emord.com

Respondent

Arturo DeCastro

Attorney

Federal Trade Commission

adecastro@ftc.gov

Complaint

Bethany Kennedy

Ms.

Emord & Associates, P.C.

bkennedy@emord.com

Respondent

Elizabeth Sarine

Attorney