Local manufacturers will soon have more certainty that plastics marketed as bio-based actually are, thanks to tests developed by Scion and GNS.
Tests conducted on a range of products sold as bio-based found half the claims were not correct, says Scion's Dr Stefan Hill.
"They were either wholly fossil-based or petroleum-based polymers or they were mixtures."
Dr Stefan Hill Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
Dr Hill says the testing methods developed by Scion in conjunction with GNS will mean people here won't have to rely on the claims of external organisations or other countries.
Many plastics come into New Zealand and are then manufactured into other products, he says.
"We would be able to test these materials and maybe give them (the manufacturers) some confidence ...that this was tested in New Zealand and proven to be as claimed."
Dr Hill says he would like to see the two tests adopted as European Standards and added to the tests available internationally.
Bio-based plastics and plastics made from fossil fuels can look identical and consumers need to be able to trust the labels, he says.
Scion's testing showed plastic bags, cutlery and plastic plates were more likely to be mislabelled, but coffee cup lids seemed to be as claimed.
Photo: 123rf
