European Environment Agency: Bio-based plastics is a way for Europe to move towards recycling plastics
Recently, the European Environment Agency (EEA) pointed out in a recent briefing document that recycled materials (including bioplastics), intelligent use and increased recycling are three ways for Europe to move towards recycled plastics.
EEA clearly mentioned that the use of bio-based plastics can help reduce the dependence on fossil-based materials and reduce greenhouse gas emissions if they are produced and recycled responsibly rather than burned. If raw materials are sourced locally and sustainable, it can also promote rural development and reduce dependence on imported raw materials.
Regarding the different raw materials of bio-based plastics, EEA advocates the second and third generation of raw materials. They are not suitable for food and feed, including non-food crops, such as algae or by-products of food and feed production, such as corn stalks and waste streams, such as biological waste.
Although the second and third generation raw materials are increasingly being studied and used for industrial purposes, it is important to note that today most bioplastics are still produced from the first generation raw materials. The first generation of raw materials come from plants rich in carbohydrates, such as corn or sugarcane, and are still the most effective raw materials, because these crops need the least land to grow and produce the highest yield. According to the data, by 2022, the land used to grow renewable raw materials for the production of bioplastics will account for about 0.015% of the global agricultural area. Even if the global production of bioplastics is expected to increase by 2027, the share of land use is expected to only increase to about 0.06%. Compared with the available agricultural area, this share is very small. Therefore, the European Bioplastic Association EUBP believes that there is no competition between the renewable raw materials of food and feed and the production of bioplastics.
According to the author of the EEA, compared with the other two approaches, the renewable material approach is the least developed in terms of commercial availability. However, many identified examples of good practices clearly show the great potential for further development. This finding is consistent with the EU Bioeconomy Strategy Progress Report issued by the European Commission in June 2022. The report also recognized the important role of the biological industry, including bioplastics, in addressing environmental challenges and providing viable alternatives for traditional fossil products. However, it also identified areas that still need to be improved, especially the regulatory environment that further promotes the mobilization of private and public investment. It also stressed the need to ensure market access for successful research results in the biological field.
Therefore, the EU should adjust the regulatory environment of bio-based materials accordingly. Several legislative processes are under way, which is an important opportunity to promote these innovative and sustainable materials, especially the revision of the current packaging and packaging waste regulations and the revision of the bioeconomy strategy.
