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Bioplastics is an umbrella term for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics. Although much attention is paid to it from the market and research institutions, the House of Representatives pays little to no attention to it. This is in contrast to the European Commission. This article highlights several points from the European Commission's proposal.
On Nov. 30, 2022, the European Commission (hereafter Commission) published the second package of proposals under the Circular Economy Action Plan, including a proposal for bioplastics. The aim of this proposal is to clarify where and how application of bioplastics is most sustainable and supportive of a circular economy. The proposal itself does not contain any concrete legislative initiatives, but refers to related proposals in the areas of packaging and Ecodesign, among others.
Bio-based plastics are made from bio-based raw materials such as corn or sugar beet. It only says something about the origin of the material from which the plastic is made, not what happens to it after disposal. For example, the plastics can be recyclable or degradable, or both. It states that biosourced materials should preferably come from organic waste and by-products, or be sustainably extracted. In addition, long-term application is preferable to short-term products such as disposable plastics. This European proposal is broadly in line with the Dutch ambition. Although the Netherlands would like to see a European mandatory minimum share of bio-based plastics. The government also believes that there should be no distinction between application of bio-based raw materials in products with a long and short lifespan.
Biodegradable plastics are plastics that are broken down by bacteria into water, CO2, biomass, mineral salts and, in the absence of oxygen, into methane. Although such plastics could have an impact on litter, it states that reduction, reuse and recycling of packaging materials and plastics are preferable to replacing them with biodegradable plastics. In this way, the materials remain longer in the chain. Therefore, the Commission states that biodegradable plastics should only be used in specific applications such as agricultural plastics (which often remain on land and thus cause pollution). This proposed policy matches the Dutch ambition. Although the Netherlands believes that agricultural plastic is not a good example, because the collection and recycling potential of agricultural plastics is high.
Biodegradable plastics and compostable plastics are often used synonymously. However, compostable plastics are biodegradable plastics that are degradable only in an industrial composting facility. Examples include fruit stickers, tea bags, coffee pods and GFT collection bags. As with biodegradable plastics, the Commission believes that reduction, reuse and recycling are preferable to replacement with compostable plastics. These plastics should only be used for the specific applications mentioned above. This is because they usually already end up in the garbage. Good labeling and certification is also important so that it is clear to the user how to dispose of the product. This proposal is also in line with the Dutch ambition.
The cabinet has signed a Green Deal with the coffee and tea industry, in which it has been agreed that at least 75 percent of the coffee pads and tea bags on the Dutch market will be compostable, and thus may be disposed of with the organic waste. The government will also advocate that the current European standard for compostable plastic be revised before the obligation takes effect. This is because the current standard does not always match the conditions in composting plants. It is important that products are only included in the GFT when they actually break down during the composting cycles.
This policy framework is expected to be received neutrally or positively by most member states. Some member states have already implemented an obligation to make stickers on fruits and vegetables compostable. It is not yet known what the position of the European Parliament will be, but it is expected to be mostly positive. Indeed, in 2018, the European Parliament welcomed the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy.
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