New:

www.everydayplastic.org

Bioplastics are complex, so we thought we'd try to clear up some common assumptions surrounding the terms often seen on food and drink packaging, and work out whether they help or hinder the plastic problem. ❓ What are bioplastics? Bioplastics are an alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based

https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/304751/103173240298407721

References:

Microplastics generated from a biodegradable plastic in freshwater and seawater

‘Compostable plastic’ doesn’t live up to its environmental claims. Here’s what you can focus on instead

What are bioplastics?

‘It’s greenwash’: most home compostable plastics don’t work, says study

A new technique could make some plastic trash compostable at home

Is biodegradable better? Making sense of 'compostable' plastics

linked to:

Want a stronger biodegradable plastic? Add a 'pinch' of cream of tartar

Researchers find that 60% of home 'compostable' plastic doesn't fully break down and ends up in our soil instead

Scientists make plastic more degradable under UV light

When biodegradable plastic is not biodegradable

Do you toss biodegradable plastic in the compost bin? Here's why it might not break down

Biostabilisation has potential but is ‘complex’ says ZWS

++++++++++++++++ email threads:

From: Simon Claësson Kaarsberg

Date: Wednesday, 11. January 2023 at 09:02

To:Subject: Commission's policy framework on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics

Dear all,    

As you likely know, on November 30th, the European Commission adopted the Policy Framework for Biobased, Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics. We would like to thank you for all your support leading up to the final adoption of this framework. This is an important step forward in ensuring  that the contribution of these plastics is positive to our efforts towards a circular, sustainable and low-carbon economy, and it would not have been possible without your contributions and cooperation.    

We invite you to visit the updated Commission’s webpage on Biobased, Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics, where you will find useful information on these plastics, along with links to the studies and consultations that shaped the Policy Framework and other important documents. We would also like to invite you to share the Communication widely with relevant actors, to ensure that it has the desired impact of guiding this sector in the right direction.     

Many thanks again for all your help.     

Happy 2023! 

Best wishes,  Simon Claësson Kaarsberg 

Environmental consultant  

NORION Consult 

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What are biodegradable plastics? The need for a clarified terminology

referenced in this email (extract only):

On Thu, Aug 25, 2022 at 2:07 AM Enzo Favoino <bffp.discussion@lists.riseup.net> wrote:

Hi Leo, happy to help. 

...... see the framing document at this link (also attached), which includes all key info, including differences biobased/biodegradable (and the sub-set compostable, the only one I'd consider for a few applications), the limited applications where compostable ones do make sense, related standards and common mistakes by strategists and planners. 

The overarching principle is: biodegradable (we'd better say "compostable") plastics only should be considered under the biowaste (organics) agenda, as a tool to maximise their captures and quality, not under the plastics agenda, as a solution to issues caused by plastics. 

And, most importantly, they only make sense where composting capacity is available - which may not be the case in many parts of the world - for they are not designed to fully nd smoothly degrade in the open environment, be it a beach, a water body, or whatever. 

Ciao.

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