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Soft plastic biodegradability

Submitted by Adam Gallash on Tue, 2011-08-16 21:04

Perthies probably missed it, but on WIN news this afternoon there was a report from Albany school students testing the biodegradability of soft plastics over a 6 month period (I think).  I missed a fair bit of it, so anyone that saw more and can quote better, please advise.  But effectively most of the plastics didn't dissolve and some of them even ate away the plastic container they were stored in, causing serious environmental concern and mis-leading advertising on soft plastic packets.

Apparently the results of these tests are being tabled and will be presented to the Fisheries Minister.  Who knows what may happen as a result....

 

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John_M

Posts: 967

Date Joined: 17/01/10

 

Tue, 2011-08-16 21:22

 

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championruby

Posts: 459

Date Joined: 20/01/11

Yeeah Adam I've known/guessed

Tue, 2011-08-16 21:53

Yeeah Adam I've known/guessed that they are just like rubbish on a hook for a while now. In addition the use of plastics seems to result in more lost line and jigheads due to the style of fishing, amongst the snags. (talking mainly estuary style here). I just rationalize it by saying i've swallowed my fair share of chewing gum and i'm still going


Therre are a few brands that are reportedly biodegradable such as the Ecogear Aqua range, but it seems that it comes with the trade off of decreased longevity or hardiness.

I can't see them banning soft plastics as a result however, especially on the results of a school age childs research. Maybe further research will lead to the manufacturers making durable and biodegradable plastics in the future, which no-one could complain about.

 

 

 

J_doggy

Posts: 161

Date Joined: 01/05/11

Yeah I saw it.Only drama i

Wed, 2011-08-17 07:54

Yeah I saw it.

Only drama i think is the manufacturers may have to take the biogradeable part off the label if it's proven due to false advertising.

Alot (nearly all) of fishing gear isn't biodegradeable...