I just found this picture from someone's website. I lost the link. Haha. But it's interesting to know that SM has a "biodegradable" carrier bag. I hope it lives up to its label.
I was surfing the net for ways to make reusable or biodegradable bags when I found this image. I’ve never actually seen one of these because it’s been years since I last went to the Supermarket or Department Store in SM Megamall near where I live. But the “biodegradable” label really sparks my curiosity.
If you’ve seen one of these bags, leave a comment. Also, tell me if the bag actually bio-degrades.
My best guess is that the bag is actually a blend of plastic and some biodegradable material like starch. If my hypothesis is true, then the biodegradable label is misleading. It only means that the biodegradable component will degrade when composted, but the plastic will remain.
Sure, it’s a plastic waste reduction, but I think it would be reckless to falsely advertise “biodegradable” plastic bags that don’t actually completely degrade. A third generation of biodegradable bags made entirely out of bio-materials has actually been produced. I’m not sure if it’s commercially available, but it’s a more eco-friendly but probably more expensive alternative to the first-generation bio-bags made of plastics and bio-materials.
Of course, the best eco-friendly option is still to make use of reusable bags like those linen bags that Rustan’s provides its customers. I actually keep a few of those linen bags in my room, but I’ve yet to actually use them when I go shopping.
Filed under: Eco-Solutions | 7 Comments
Tags: Bio-bags, Biodegradable, biodegradable bags, SM
Yeah medyo naisip ko yung coconut coir composites ni Tim haha. My mom asked me if posible ang biodegradable plastic, and I pretty much said the same thing (your hypothesis). I hope we’re right. Haha.
nacurious din ako nito. but well, the best thing is conduct a proximate analysis.
hahaha. (we are getting nerd na) pero well, masaya yun 
grabe, ka nose bleed kayong mga chem kids.
let us know if it biodegrades. I’ve been trying to figure out how to completely go green but the plastic ruins my aspirations.
@Toynbeeconvector: Nash, almost everything has plastic. For supermarket stuff, you should just buy a grocery bag. I’m thinking of getting my own grocery bag for whenever I do the groceries and not those boring Rustan’s beige bags with green straps.
@Miko: I almost didn’t understand what you said about proximate analysis. Hopefully I’ll get to do a simple experiment
, is this true? .pro mgcoconduct kme ng investigatory project tungkol jan..
Hi Rowa,
As far as I know, “biodegradable” plastic bags need specific conditions to be able to degrade. Otherwise, they’re just like any plastic lying around or under the dump. What are the specific conditions? It could be exposure to light, particularly ultraviolet radiation in light. From what I know, the UV radiation speeds up the process of degradation. But I’m not certain if the “degradation” that occurs is the same as “biodegradation”. Technically, biodegradation involves the action of microorganisms that will digest the material and convert it into other chemical compounds. However, “degradation” for plastics could just be plastic being fragmented into smaller pieces that still cannot be processed by microorganisms. (I think you can investigate the validity of “degradation” of “biodegradable” plastics).
I hope that helps. hehe. If you have more questions, just ask