Media

May 2006

Any problem requires a solution and none more so than the issue of plastic waste and its impact on the sustainability of the environment.

D&D Mailing Services, Australia’s largest plastic wrap mail house is now Australia’s most environmentally innovative. Having designed and developed biowrap*, an exclusive product for use in plastic enveloping and wrapping, D&D are now establishing a new standard in the Mail Processing Industry within Australia.

After years of enveloping and wrapping their magazines, catalogues, annual reports, newsletters etc using plastic, major clients like National Australia Bank have already made the switch to biowrap* to preserve the environment by going degradable.

With the release of biowrap* – 100% degradable plastic – D&D’s unique range of services are now ideally suited to any organisation aiming to demonstrate its social responsibility, in assisting to preserve the environment for the community in which it operates.

biowrap* is made from an exclusive, unique formula including an additive produced by EPI Environmental Technologies, which enhances the degradation process. This process will begin to occur after 6 months when either buried in landfill areas or exposed to natural sunlight.

EPI is a world leader in the development of Totally Degradable Plastic Additives. The Canadian based company are continuing to work with leading research and technical institutions worldwide to validate, support and further develop the technology.

Whilst maintaining the qualities of conventional plastic – strong and durable – this unique plastic wrap will break down totally into water, carbon
dioxide and a small amount of biomass.

Being 100% degradable, biowrap* does not force consumers to change life long habits like recycling does.

No matter how the plastic wrap is disposed of, it will not be harmful to the environment as it breaks down into small brittle fragments after its
manufacturing date. The reason for having a use by date printed on each bag is to make surethat the plastic has been used before it begins the degradation process and loses its key properties.

The speed at which the degradation process occurs can be determined by the amount of additives used in the plastic manufacture. The degradation will normally take 18 months  but also depends on the availability of UV light, oxygen, heat and physical stress (e.g. wind) experienced – all of which contribute to the rate of chemical transformation of the plastic.

No matter how biowrap* is disposed of, the impact of the elements (air, sunlight and wind) will result in complete degradation in a relatively
short time, minimising pollution and harm to the environment.

Given that 90% of the world’s plastic is still active, the solution is clear - using 100% totallydegradable plastic…using biowrap*.

* patent applied for