Styrofoam packaging masks as biodegradable product
Wednesday June 22, 2011
DEALERS and consumers have been warned that there are cases of imitation packaging in the market that are touted to be biodegradable but in reality are not.
The warning came from Greatpac Sdn Bhd, the manufacturer of the Jasa Eco Biodegradable Foam Products. Greatpac senior manager Douglas Tan said they were facing the problem especially in Penang.
“We believe it is a move by our competitor to increase their market share,” said Tan.
Spot the difference : Tan said the biodegradeable packaging manufactured by Greatpac are stamped with “Jasa Eco Biodegradable Foam” (right), while the competitor’s styrofoam packaging are stamped with “BIO2”. Greatpac launched its products in February to offer an alternative to the existing foam packaging.
The range uses an organic additive called EcoPure which takes about two years to biodegrade in a landfill environment. Tan said Greatpac had spent US$4,000 (about RM12,000) for tests to ensure that the products conformed with the American Biodegration Standard ASTM D5511, and that the company had submitted all the test reports and certifications to the Penang government.
“Our biodegradable food packaging was targeted at Penang in particular due to the state government’s imposed ban on polystyrene food packaging,” said Tan, adding that the Selangor government is considering a similar policy. “Greatpac found out about the competitor in early June, and learnt that hawkers were being duped into buying the competitor’s product.
“Rogue dealers and manufacturers are taking the opportunity of the policy by selling the styrofoam packaging at biodegradable packaging prices,” he added. Tan said those products manufactured by Greatpac were stamped with “Jasa Eco Biodegradable Foam” while the competitor’s products were stamped with “BIO2” but were supposed to represent “B102” (“i” instead of “one”).
“Colour is added to the competitor’s products to make it look like biodegradable packaging, but they are in fact styrofoam packaging. “Dealers would sell a Jasa Eco biodegradable lunchbox for eight sen per piece and the competitor’s one for 5.5sen.
“Hawkers and consumers who unknowingly buy the imitation packaging end up paying much more for a product they are likely to get fined for,” he said. Tan also said the Taman Perkaka Village Safety and Development Committee, whom Greatpac had worked with on a roadshow to promote its biodegradable packaging, had called the competitor’s manufacturer who admitted that their products did not have any biodegradeable element.
“We have been informed that the Seberang Jaya Municipal Council plans to take action on this matter, and that the Penang City Council will follow suit. “We urge the state government to have an approved brand register to allow manufacturers to submit their products to the state government to verify their authenticity and for the federal government to adopt a proper definition of biodegradable,” he said.
Greatpac brand manager Shaun Ooi said Malaysia was not seen as a green country in terms of manufacturing and the imitation products would further tarnish the market. “These styrofoam packaging that are being sold as biodegradable packaging would affect the health of the environment,” he said.
Tan added Greatpac would continue selling the products and try to educate its dealers on the difference between its biodegradable packaging and competitior’s styrofoam packaging.
Monday February 23, 2009
Stop using polystyrene
THE Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) wishes to call the attention of the Selangor and Penang state governments and especially the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, to the widespread use of polystyrene food and drink containers during the recent Thaipusam festival in their respective states.
CAP conducted a study comprising random data collection at both locations where large crowds gathered during the festival to gather information on the number of polystyrene food and drink containers used.
Shockingly, the study revealed that 630,000 and 347,000 polystyrene food and drink containers were used in Selangor and Penang respectively. This data was acquired over the two days of the festival and from the numerous stalls providing free food and drink.
At times, these stalls provided up to 40,000 polystyrene food and drink packages. The data gathered does not include polystyrene package usage in other states such as Kedah, Johor or Perak during Thaipusam.
CAP takes a serious view of the fact that almost 1,000,000 polystyrene containers were used during the two days. Although there have been claims that polystyrene can be classified as non-hazardous to the environment, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims as yet.
Polystyrene is not biodegradable. It not only floats on water but is also borne by the wind, thereby polluting shores and waterways.
According to the California Coastal Commission, it is now a principal component of marine debris. The substance may also be harmful to wild animals if ingested by them.The international environment group, Californians Against Waste classifies polystyrene as a future potential threat to sustainable development.
According to a study by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER), polystyrene which is manufactured using HCFC-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane, a potential ozone depleting agent and potent greenhouse gas) is potentially three to five times more likely to pose a threat to the environment than other waste material.
CAP urges concerned parties in all states to play an important role in ending the use of polystyrene; not just during Thaipusam celebrations but also at official functions and celebrations.
It is regrettable that polystyrene was widely used while there are more recyclable, sustainable and freely obtainable alternatives such as banana leaves and environmentally friendly containers pioneered by Universiti Sains Malaysia.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment needs to be more aggressive in addressing the reduction of polystyrene use at all official functions as well as at national level festivities and celebrations.
As long as there are no aggressive steps taken by the authorities to halt the use of polystyrene, it will be difficult to expect society to embark on a paradigm shift to rejuvenate and preserve the environment.
S.M. Mohamed Idris,
President,
Consumers Association of Penang.
