Page 161 - Design for Environment A Guide to Sustainable Product Development

140 Cha pte r Ei g h t

Biodegra dation involves breakdown of substances into harm-
less molecules by enzymes produced by living organisms.
Most organic materials are biodegradable, and even synthetic
materials can be biodegradable under the right disposal con-
ditions. In some cases, companies have gained competitive
advantage by designing products or packaging that are envi-
ronmentally benign at end-of-life.
Example: BASF, a European chemical manufacturer, has developed a
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novel line of synthetic plastics, called Ecoflex , that are completely
biodegradable and will decompose in soil or compost within a
few weeks. Introduced in 1998, it has become the world’s leading
synthetic, biodegradable material and is commonly used for trash
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bags or disposable packaging. Another product line, Ecovio is a
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blend of Ecoflex and polylactic acid made from corn, and is used in
flexible films for shopping bags.