Open the document On 28 May 2018, the European Commission presented a proposal for a Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain single-use plastic (SUP) products on the environment. The proposal is part of a wider framework of policy initiatives in the European Union aimed at reducing plastic waste and particularly [...]
Open the document In order to minimise and ultimately prevent further pollution of the marine environment, European Bioplastics: considers the full implementation of EU waste legislation and an increase in the efficiency of waste management crucial; supports the gradual phase-out of landfilling for plastic products in Europe and appropriate measures to expand recycling [...]
Open the document European Bioplastics (EUBP) welcomes the EU Commission’s efforts to replace the traditional linear economy model (make, use, dispose) by implementing an ambitious circular economy throughout Europe. Bioplastics, and biodegradable plastics in particular, can play an essential part in putting the envisioned circularity model into practice. This paper refers to biodegradable [...]
Open the document Claims about biodegradability and compostability are widely used to label products and packaging regarding their end-of-life. Biodegradation can take place in different systems (industrial or home composting) and environments (soil, water). In general, the sole claim “biodegradable” on products and packaging, without indicating specific standards or environments in which the [...]
Open the document Enzyme-mediated plastics are not bioplastics. They are conventional, fossil-based plastics with additives. They are neither biodegradable nor compostable. EuBP recommends using only materials certified according to EN and ISO standards. Find the answers to frequently asked questions on enzyme-mediated plastics.
Open the document Plastics are an integral part of our modern life. They play an essential role in providing, protecting, and delivering high-quality products in pretty much every market segment to consumers around the world. Today, there is a bioplastic alternative for almost every conventional plastic material and corresponding application. Bioplastics – plastics [...]
Open the document Material types, terminology, and labels – an introduction
Open the document Biodegradable and compostable products that are certified according to the harmonized European standard EN 13432 (or EN 14995) are suitable for organic recycling and will completely biodegrade in an industrial composting plant, with no adverse effects on the process or on the final product (compost). These materials are working well [...]
Open the document The Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWD) was first issued in 1994. Its main purpose was to increase the recovery rate of packaging waste and to cut disposal (landfilling). Apart from mechanical recycling also biological (organic) recycling was defined, and a specific standard for identifying "packaging recoverable by means [...]
Open the document Bioplastics are a broad family of materials that are either biobased, biodegradable, or both. The term “biobased” describes the basis of a material being fully or partly derived from biomass. The term “biodegradable” refers to the inherent property of a material that, with the help of naturally occurring microorganisms such [...]
