Do Not Recycle Biodegradable Plastic Bags

Turns out people who think they're doing the right thing for the environment by recycling biodegradable plastic bags, are MISTAKEN.  A new study by the Quebec Industrial Research Centre,  finds they're not compatible with traditional plastic recycling methods, because the starches used to make the bags break-down in the environment, can contaminate batches of other plastics being melted down for recycling. 

CJAD's Dr Joe Schwartz says the best way of disposing of biodegradable bags is composting, because they need to be exposed to air and light to biodegrade.  That also means it's not good to dump them in landfills because they don't biodegrade without air and light.  

And Dr. Joe notes even the benefits of biodegradation are overstated because the process creates methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases around, and he says the other components released in the process, can get into waterways and into the air. 

In the meantime,  Dr. Joe says regular polyethelyne plastic bags can be put to good use when recycled.  They're used to make other plastic bags and plastic-lumber which is useful in the production of park benches, speed bumps and other such items.