Biodegradable plastic bags are special plastic bags which degrade and decompose when exposed to our atmosphere, namely oxygen, moisture and sunlight. Contrary to popular belief they do not decompose readily in a landfill site, and be can be a hazard in certain recycling plants. These oxo-biodegradable bags can be very useful in certain applications where the waste contained inside can be transferred to composting plants without actually opening the bag or breaking the seal, which in turn reduces the risk of contamination either by insects or disease or even handling. This type of compost can be used in the agriculture industry resulting in good quality compost. This kind of bag however does not degrade quickly and is suitable only in high temperature processes which are required by new regulations. Oxo-biodegradable bags are designed to break down and become brittle (embrittled) and therefore behave more like a natural waste, rotting under a processes called photo-oxidation and thermo-oxidation, allowing it to degrade in the dark.
