German Packaging Act: minimum standards for assessment of recycling capability lack promotion of bioplastics Packaging must become more recyclable and environmentally friendly. The recycling rates defined in the new German Packaging Act, which came into effect on 1 January 2019, are otherwise impossible to achieve. An important tool to implement the legislation, are the [...]
Berlin, 13 September 2019 – Regarding FEAD’s (European Federation of Waste Management and Environmental Services) latest position paper “Biodegradable and Bio-Based Plastics”, European Bioplastics (EUBP) believes that FEAD displays an incomplete perception on how a circular economy can be achieved. Unfortunately, the association exclusively focuses on mechanical recycling while at the same time refusing [...]
The planning of the 14th European Bioplastics Conference is in full swing. The Call for Papers to become a speaker has generated a huge amount of interest and many organisations have already submitted their proposals. For those interested in contributing to the conference programme, there is still a chance to participate. The deadline to [...]
In recent years, policy makers have become increasingly reliant on the use of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to establish a proper basis for more transparent and evidence-based decision-making on policies and regulations. However, succesful LCAs must take into account a number of considerations in terms of how they influence the final result and policy [...]
Mr Andy Sweetman, Sales & Marketing Manager EMEA In each issue of the Bioplastics Bulletin, we present five facts about a member of European Bioplastics. This month, Mr Andy Sweetman, Sales & Marketing Manager EMEA, shares some information on the world’s leading producer of sustainable cellulose packaging films. 5 facts about Futamura, [...]
On 18 – 19 June, the BIOnTOP kick-off meeting took place at the premises of project coordinator AIMPLAS in Valencia, Spain. The four-year project aims at delivering bio-based recyclable-by-design cost competitive packaging solutions that can be mechanically recycled, industrially or home compostable, or suitable for anaerobic digestion. Leading experts from 21 organisations based in [...]
(c) American Chemical Society Biodegradable polymers are often promoted as an environmental solution to plastic pollution. However, their degradation in managed and unmanaged environments is not always well understood. The authors of the study “Biodegradable plastic blends create new possibilities for end-of-life management of plastics but they are not a panacea for [...]
Shoes by Timberland Timberland increases the use of renewable materials in its shoes In 2018, a total of 69% of all Timberland footwear shipped in 2018 contained major components (e.g., uppers, linings, and outsoles) with at least 10% recycled, organic or renewable (ROR) content, up slightly from 67% the previous year. Renewable materials [...]
The European chemical industry faces enormous challenges to meet the climate goals set by the European Commission in the framework of the Paris Agreement. This agreement aims at keeping a global temperature rise below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5°C. In this context, the position paper [...]
Hofer’s certified compostable shopping bag with the seedling logo (c) VictorGroup In April, the University of Plymouth published the study "Environmental deterioration of biodegradable, oxo-biodegradable, compostable, and conventional plastic carrier bags in the sea, soil, and open-air over a 3-year period". Days after the publication, European Bioplastics released a press release stating [...]
