Bioplastics should be complementary tools to help end plastic pollution.
The fifth session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC-5) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the marine environment, will be held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from 25 November to 1 December 2024.
To address plastic pollution at its roots and support global climate action, European Bioplastics (EUBP) strongly believes bioplastics should play a key role in helping the transition from conventional plastics to products that are certified biobased, biodegradable and/or compostable.
While EUBP’s members are fully committed to the objectives of the Treaty, we would suggest that a suitable approach is developed in the upcoming guidelines, for example considering the criteria for biodegradable or compostable plastics separately from conventional plastics. This would allow a fair level-playing field, enabling biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics contributing to mitigate plastic pollution.
EUBP supports an ambitious instrument, which catalyses the transition to certified biobased, biodegradable and/or compostable plastics as complementary tools to help end plastic pollution by 2040 and to ensure a carbon-neutral future.
EUBP considers it vital for the instrument to enable and champion innovation to ensure the world is fit for the future and moving towards a sustainable and truly circular economy. Innovative biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics play a substantial role in fighting plastic pollution and reducing GHG emissions.
