Oxo-biodegradable bags are degraded by oxidation or natural phenomena. Plastic bags with Oxo additives do not biodegrade. Oxo additive breaks plastic products into microscopic pieces. It has not been proven that these microscopically fragmented products are then biodegraded. For this reason, the term Biodegradable is used instead of Biodegradable for products with Oxo additives.

In the literature, the term “biodegradable with Oxo” is used instead of “degradable with Oxo”. Plastic packages using Oxo additives are first broken down into very small pieces in nature. They then enter the biodegradation process.

Dissolution in Oxo-added bags starts with the depletion of polymer stabilizers in the structure. Oxygen is very important for the start of degradation in Oxo biodegradable bags. Even when left at the bottom of a waste pile, the degradation process does not start.

Oxo-soluble additive has been tested in international laboratories. It has received compliance with ASTM 6954-04 standards. Referring to this standard, it starts to degrade between 18-24 months depending on the rate of use. It is claimed that it disappears by turning into water, carbon dioxide and trace amounts of biomass (humus) without leaving toxic waste. The downside is that degradation also starts on the shelf after 18-24 months. Shelf life is limited.””””