Mistakes have long-term consequences

Products made from OXO-degradable plastic are currently widely available in convenience stores, supermarkets, and home markets throughout Vietnam. This product's cost is also quite reasonable at 100,000 VND for a 3 kg bag, which is merely a third or even a quarter of the cost of biodegradable plastic products.

One of the main contributors to environmental contamination, according to experts, is OXO self-destructing plastic. A typical plastic material (polystyrene, polyethylene, HDPE, LDPE, polypropylene, etc.) with additives added to speed up the process of breaking them down into tiny fragments, or microplastics, is the basis of OXO.

Products made using OXO self-degradable plastic will break down more quickly than conventional plastic, resulting in tiny pieces of plastic that find their way into the air, water, and sea. They produce microplastics, which are still made of conventional plastic and are challenging to degrade. Because of this, they survive in the environment for a long time and gradually develop smaller over several decades.

The fact that consumers confuse OXO with biodegradable plastic and use it regularly with the desire to contribute to environmental protection is having long-term consequences.

Professor, Dr. Dang Thi Kim Chi (Science, Education and Environment Advisory Council of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front) emphasized, OXO plastic decomposes into small pieces of plastic, leaving behind in the form of microscopic particles. plastic. When spreading in the environment, it still changes, adversely affecting the recipients of land, river water and sea. But more dangerous, when decomposed in the environment, microplastics will enter the food chain of organisms and humans, causing harm to the living environment and health. Therefore, OXO self-destructing plastic is causing great harm.

Confusion in the choice of products by consumers will bring about three major consequences. Firstly, it directly affects the living environment. Secondly, affecting enterprise operating in the field of biodegradable plastic production. Many businesses face difficulties and do not dare to invest big in science and technology in developing environmentally friendly products before the current consumption habits of people. Because the investment capital is very large, businesses need to calculate carefully in the consumption problem.

The third corollary, in the long run, the use of OXO biodegradable plastic products will affect Vietnam's sustainable development goals. In the trend of anti-plastic waste, some businesses claim to use biodegradable plastic, but the new reality is that they are using partially biodegradable plastic, which is OXO, so it has not contributed to the development of sustainable development yet. environmental sustainability as the goal.

How to recognize fully biodegradable plastic?

Experts recommend that consumers need to have knowledge to distinguish between environmentally friendly products and unfriendly products to make the right choice.

On the consumer side, to become a savvy consumer, customers can identify a number of important certificates certifying the biodegradability and environmental friendliness of the product printed on the packaging such as: TCVN 13114, DIN Certco, Seedling, BPI Compostable, TUV OK Compost…

For unfriendly products, the label may say it's a self-destructing product, but the ingredients on the package will be PVC, HDPE, LDPE, PE... and OXO additives. These are decay products, belonging to the OXO group. Consumers should pay attention to this criterion.

With an environmentally friendly product that is compostable, the ingredients printed on the packaging say PLA, PBAT. In addition, this product will have important international certifications.

In order not to be confused, consumers should carefully read the ingredients printed on the packaging.

Currently, according to Professor, Doctor of Science Dang Thi Kim Chi, the price of a product from biodegradable plastic is more expensive, so consumers are still comparing in use. In the long run, to protect the health of consumers in particular and the environment in general, bags made from biodegradable plastic should be selected.

Currently, the Law on Environmental Protection stipulates that organizations and individuals have the responsibility to limit the use,  reduce, classify and dispose of waste as  disposable plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic packaging. But for a safer and more sustainable development environment, it is necessary to come from the enlightenment of the community and the production technology of enterprises.

Besides, choosing products of reputable enterprises, leading in the development of biodegradable materials and products is also one of the ways for consumers to access products.

In addition, experts said that it is necessary to have clear policies and media to encourage people to use bags derived from completely biodegradable plastic to protect the environment. At the same time, there should be specific and clear regulations and standards to protect businesses that are developing truly biodegradable products. This contributes to creating motivation for businesses to invest and be creative in developing environmentally friendly products towards a green economy, consumption, and sustainable development.

(Source:baodautu.vn)