On November 30, the European Commission published a "Policy Framework for Bio-based, Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics". The framework further specifies bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics and sets out the conditions under which their production and consumption have a positive impact on the environment.

details as follows:

Bio-based

For "biobased," the term should only be used when indicating an accurate and measurable share of biobased plastic content in a product, so consumers know how much biomass is actually used in the product. Furthermore, the biomass used must be sustainably sourced and not harmful to the environment. These plastics should be sourced to meet sustainable standards. Producers are to prioritize organic waste and by-products as feedstock, thereby minimizing the use of primary biomass.

biodegradable

For "biodegradation", it should be clear that such products should not be littered, and it should be stated how long it takes for the product to biodegrade, under what circumstances and under what environment (such as soil, water, etc.) to biodegrade. Products at risk of being littered, including those covered by the Single-use Plastics Directive, cannot claim or be labeled as biodegradable.

Oxo-degradable plastics are banned because they do not provide proven environmental benefits, are not fully biodegradable, and negatively impact the recycling of conventional plastics. the

Mulches used in agriculture are good examples of suitable applications for biodegradable plastics in open environments, provided they are certified to the appropriate standards. The committee will ask to revise the existing standard, especially considering the risk of biodegradation of plastic residues in soil entering water systems. For other applications of biodegradable plastics that are considered suitable, such as products for tree protection, plant clips, new test method standards need to be developed.

compostable plastic

"Compostable plastics" are a branch of biodegradable plastics. Only industrially compostable plastics that meet relevant standards should be marked as "compostable", and industrial compostable packaging should show how the item was disposed of.

Potential benefits of using industrially compostable plastics are higher capture rates of biowaste and lower contamination of composts with non-biodegradable plastics. High-quality compost does not become a source of plastic pollution to soil and groundwater, and is more conducive to use as an organic fertilizer in agriculture.

After action has been taken to remove conventional plastic bags, they remain in fragments and are a contamination problem in the biowaste systems currently in use across the EU. Industrial compostable plastic bags for separate collection of biowaste can reduce plastic pollution from composting and are a beneficial application. From December 31, 2023, biowaste must be collected or recycled separately at source. The introduction of industrially compostable plastic bags for separate collection of biowaste in countries such as Italy and Spain has reduced biowaste pollution and increased biowaste capture.

EU-funded projects already support research and innovation related to bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics. The goals focus on ensuring the environmental sustainability of the procurement and production process, as well as the use and disposal of the final product.

The committee will promote research and innovation aimed at designing circular bio-based plastics that are safe, sustainable, reusable, recyclable and biodegradable. This includes evaluating the benefits of applications where bio-based materials and products are both degradable and recyclable. More work is needed to assess the net greenhouse gas emissions reductions of bio-based plastics compared to fossil-based plastics, taking into account the lifetime and the potential for multiple recycling.

Further exploration of the biodegradation process is needed in the future. Ensuring that bio-based plastics for agricultural and other uses are safely biodegradable, taking into account issues such as possible transfer to other environments, biodegradation time frames, long-term effects, and minimizing biodegradable and plastic products Negative and long-term effects of using additives.

The purpose of this policy framework is to identify and understand these plastics and to guide future policy developments at EU level, such as ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, the EU taxonomy for sustainable investments, funding schemes and related discussions in international forums.