The association initiated tests on the effects of degradable plastics on recycling streams, and said these impacts are not only detrimental in terms of mechanical properties of the recycled material, but also involve visual impacts on the newly produced film.
"Over the past years, there has been considerable concern in Europe surrounding the effects of bio-degradable plastics on recycling streams," said Alexandre Dangis, managing director of EuPC.
"These test results now prove that separate collection of degradable plastic products is needed in Europe if we want to further develop recycling streams and work towards a circular economy".
The EuPC is urging EU legislators and waste management authorities to push for increased separation and collection of degradable plastics.
In response, the Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Association (OPA) said it appeared the EuPC were testing mainly bio-based plastics.
"It is in any event ridiculous to suggest that adding 2% of oxo-bio plastic to ordinary plastic would create a visible difference in the new product, as there is no visible difference even in a 100% oxo-bio product.??Moreover, 2% of oxo-bio plastic contains only 0.002% of prodegradant additive, which is too small to have any effect at all," OPA said in a statement.