Oxo-degradable Plastics in Mexico
In Mexico, oxo-degradable plastics, initially promoted as a sustainable alternative, have shown negative effects on the environment. Although they fragment under specific conditions, they do not fully decompose, leading to the generation of microplastics that pollute ecosystems and harm wildlife.
The situation is worsened by the fact that Mexico lacks certified standards or procedures to determine whether a plastic is biodegradable or not. "With the waste separation system practiced in the country's capital (where these plastics are mixed with other inorganic waste), they are mostly stored in landfills, where they cannot decompose," points out Dr. Alethia Vázquez Morillas, a researcher at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Azcapotzalco (UAM-A).
In Mexico, the most common degradable plastics are the so-called oxo-degradables, which break down after an oxidation process (due to temperature or solar radiation) and exposure to microorganisms, making their disposal in landfills, dumps, or the environment impractical.
To give oxo-degradable plastics these characteristics, an additive is added to conventional polyethylene, which reacts when in contact with oxygen from the air. "This way, the material’s molecules fragment and can be broken down by bacteria and fungi."
Although there is no exact data, it is estimated that conventional plastic can remain in the environment for a longer period, while degradable plastics disintegrate more quickly if managed properly. Nonetheless, the accumulation of any type of plastic represents a significant ecological problem.
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