Jared Azcuy, chief executive of AGI. Photo: AGI

Jared Azcuy, chief executive of AGI. Photo: AGI

Alliance Ground International (AGI) has begun converting all plastic sheeting used in its cargo shipping to M&G Packaging’s biodegradable BioNatur Plastics products.

The initiative has been announced as the Miami-based ground handler’s AGI Cares 2028 programme kicks off.

AGI Cares 2028 is a Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programme focused on environmental responsibility, employee health and wellness, corporate governance, increasing community investment, reducing the company’s carbon footprint, and minimising waste to landfill.

AGI’s decision to tackle plastic usage is based on concern that regular plastic can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade in a landfill.

In contrast, BioNatur Plastic biodegradable plastics are designed to biodegrade under landfill conditions in only eight to 12 years.

The end products are also fully recyclable in normal waste collection streams.

BioNatur Plastic is manufactured with a 1% load of an organic, food-safe proprietary additive that allows anaerobic bacteria to digest the plastic in a landfill.

Outside of a landfill, the plastic has an indefinite shelf life and performs exactly like traditional plastic products.

“AGI is excited to convert our cargo operation to these sustainable plastic products,” said Jared Azcuy, chief executive of AGI.

“Replacing the plastic products used by AGI achieves two of the key pillars of our AGI Cares 2028 program: environmental responsibility and minimizing waste to landfill.”