- App is available on the BASF Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/BASFAPAC
Hong Kong – June 01, 2011 – BASF launched the Compost Asia Pledge Facebook app on June 5, with the aim to keep organic waste out of landfills and incinerators, in conjunction with World Environment Day. The app will be available on the BASF Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/BASFAPAC.
The BASF initiative is intended as a call for the public to become agents for change and work together towards a more sustainable future by supporting the disposal of organic waste at industrial composting sites where it can be recycled into compost. In this way it is possible to help improve soil quality, treat loss of arable land and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Each kilogram of organic waste that goes to landfill is estimated to generate the equivalent of 4,000 grams of carbon dioxide, whereas emissions from industrial composting amount to only 19 grams1,” said Dr. Tobias Haber, BASF’s head of Business Management, Specialty Plastics in Asia Pacific.
Compostable plastics offer a clean and hygienic option for collecting organic waste. Additionally, when organic waste is contained in compostable waste bags, it is not necessary to separate the bags from waste: the two can be processed together to yield high-quality compost. As such, industrial composting with fully biodegradable bags is a distinctly more efficient and effective waste management option for organic waste.
The Compost Asia Pledge includes calls for the public to pledge to reduce their organic waste by only buying food they plan to or can actually consume, as well as supporting or voting for appropriate organic waste management facilities (industrial composting) in their communities.
BASF has been involved in trials worldwide to demonstrate the potential of composting as a feasible and effective waste management option for organic waste. Most recently in Asia, a pilot project offering a local solution and involving small-scale composting facilities was conducted in Thailand to support policies aimed at expanding the country’s composting infrastructure.
A global market leader in the area of biodegradable polymers, BASF provides solutions, including compostable waste bags made with Ecovio®, a compound of Ecoflex® and polylactic acid.
Both Ecoflex® and Ecovio® are certified globally. For example, extensive testing has shown that Ecoflex® complies with the stringent requirements of the Japanese GreenPla standard, Australian standard AS 4736, American standard ASTM 6400-04 and European standard EN13432 for biodegradable plastics with regard to complete biodegradability, compostability, compost quality and plant compatibility.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in its Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.
References
1 Development of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Technologies, 2002;
Solid Waste Treatment as a High-Priority and Low-Cost Alternative for GGM, 2001
Climate Change 2007: Mitigation. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
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