UAE | Environment
UAE factory makes greener bags
The managing director of one of the UAE's largest plastic factories is urging his counterparts in the industry to start producing oxo-biodegradable bags.
- By Kevin Scott, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:05 June 8, 2008
Dubai: The managing director of one of the UAE's largest plastic factories is urging his counterparts in the industry to start producing oxo-biodegradable bags.
Fujairah Plastic Factories, based in Sharjah, Ajman and Fujairah, is in the process of converting all of its output to oxo-biodegradable products, and several large UAE-based retailers have already expressed an interest in their eco-friendly carriers.
Khalid Khalifa Mattar Al Ka'abi, managing director of Fujairah Plastic Factories, told Gulf News there was no excuse for any factory not to introduce the new technology required to produce oxo-biodegradable bags.
The appeal comes as Gulf News has launched its campaign to "Go Green".
Al Ka'abi explained the production process, saying: "It's not like the factories have to add any new machinery. It's as simple as adding salt or sugar to a meal and the benefits to the environment are huge."
Oxo-biodegradable bags are injected with a small amount of an additive called d2w. The additive creates a chemical reaction whereby the additive attacks the carbon-carbon bonds in the material. This leads to a lowering of the molecular weight and eventually to a loss of strength and other properties.
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Unlike normal plastic bags, which take around 1,000 years to biodegrade, oxo-biodegradable plastic carriers disintegrate into nothing more than water, carbon dioxide and a very small amount of biomass in a relatively short time.
Al Ka'abi said: "We are switching over to oxo-biodegradable bags. Sharjah Cooperative is already using the bags and we are in discussions with four other major retailers. Dubai Municipality is also one of our clients."
"The good thing is they are like a normal bag. The only difference is we have to add some chemicals," he said.
Oxo-biodegradable bags are approximately 10-15 per cent more expensive than normal plastic bags but the environmental and marketing benefits easily justify any small price increment.
Al Ka'abi added: "A lot of people use plastic bags and it is encouraging to see Gulf News taking a stand on the issue. But in my opinion, it is not feasible to ban plastic carriers completely; the answer is oxo-biodegradable bags."
"It's an issue that everybody has a responsibility to take action on. We have to think about the next generation. The environment is a very important subject in this country, especially as the population continues to grow."
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