As part of its ambitious European Green Deal, the European Commission in 2022 rolled out a comprehensive policy framework targeting biobased plastics, and biodegradable and compostable plastics. The Circular Economy Action Plan and the Plastics Strategy both underscore this initiative to cement a sustainable plastics economy.
Understanding Bioplastics in the EU
The new policy framework is established to clarify the advantages and appropriate applications of bioplastics, setting forth precise conditions for their utilization. It insists on stringently upholding the environmental standards that bioplastics must meet, parallel to conventional materials.
Current Legislative Landscape
There is not yet a specific EU legislation exclusively dedicated to bioplastics. Nonetheless, existing directives, including the EU Taxonomy, the Single Use Plastics Directive, and directives related to packaging waste and waste frameworks, touch upon various facets of biobased and compostable plastics. The Commission's Communication, while non-binding, lays down prospective pathways for legislation viewed in initiatives like green claims and ecodesign.
European Bioplastics Weighs In
The industry body, European Bioplastics (EUBP), alongside its affiliates, applauds the EU's efforts to evaluate the bioplastics sector. Nevertheless, it has expressed concerns that the policy framework might understate the full environmental advantages of biobased plastics, misconstrue potential risks, and consequently impede innovation within this burgeoning field.
Advocating for Innovation and Market Growth
In an earnest effort to rectify these oversights, EUBP underscores the benefits of bioplastics, pressing for precision in the Commission's Communication. There is apprehension that unless these issues are addressed, the movement towards biobased alternatives, which is critical to reducing Europe's fossil fuel dependency, may be hindered.
