Reducing unnecessary plastic use, reusing suitable products and improving collection and recycling are essential parts of addressing this challenge. For certain applications, biodegradable or compostable plastics may also have a specific role, but only when they are designed for the environment in which they will be treated.
SAPEA, a consortium of European scientific academies, published an evidence review titled Biodegradability of plastics in the open environment. The report was prepared as part of the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism and informed advice from the Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors. It examined the circumstances in which biodegradable plastics may offer benefits and emphasised the importance of using them only in suitable, clearly defined applications.
Different materials for different systems
The term “bioplastics” can refer to materials with very different properties. A plastic may be biobased, biodegradable, compostable or a combination of these. A biobased plastic is not automatically biodegradable, and a biodegradable plastic will not necessarily break down in every environment.
Industrial composting, home composting and biodegradation in agricultural soil are different processes. Products intended for these environments require different testing and certification.
The scientific review highlighted the need for clear definitions, appropriate standards and reliable information about where and how a product biodegrades. It also recognised that biodegradable plastics may be valuable in specific applications where conventional plastic is difficult to collect or where the product is used together with organic material.
Compostable products and organic waste
Some products become heavily contaminated with food during use and may be difficult to recycle mechanically. Certified compostable products can have a role in selected applications when the product and its contents are intended to enter a compatible organic-waste treatment system.
This does not mean that all food packaging can be composted. The packaging must be certified for the relevant composting environment, and the local collection and treatment system must accept it.
Certified compostable bags can also support the separate collection of food waste. Evidence from individual municipalities and collection trials indicates that providing suitable bags can make food-waste sorting more convenient and may improve participation or reduce contamination from conventional plastic bags.
Under the composting conditions specified by their certification, certified compostable bags biodegrade without leaving persistent microplastics behind. Their performance outside those conditions should not be assumed.
Clear standards and certification matter
Clear standards help distinguish products developed for specific biological treatment environments from products carrying vague or unsupported biodegradability claims. EN 13432 specifies requirements for packaging recoverable through industrial composting and biodegradation. Certification schemes can independently verify that products meet the applicable requirements.
Certification has always been central to Biobag. It provides information about the environment and conditions for which a product has been assessed. It does not give permission to litter or suggest that a product will biodegrade everywhere. The EU has since developed a policy framework for biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics. The framework similarly emphasises that these materials should be used for suitable applications and that their environmental benefits and trade-offs must be assessed carefully.
Soil-biodegradable mulch film
Agricultural mulch films help regulate soil temperature, suppress weeds and reduce water evaporation. Conventional plastic mulch film must normally be removed after use, but complete retrieval can be difficult when the material tears and small fragments remain in the soil.
Soil-biodegradable mulch film is designed for this particular application. After performing its function during the crop cycle, certified film can be incorporated into the soil according to the product instructions. Under suitable conditions, soil microorganisms convert it into water, carbon dioxide and biomass without leaving persistent microplastics behind.
EN 17033 specifies requirements and testing methods for biodegradable mulch films intended for agriculture and horticulture. Soil biodegradability must not be inferred from an industrial or home-composting certification. Read more about BioAgri soil-biodegradable mulch film.
Biobag’s approach
Biobag supports a targeted approach to biodegradable and compostable products. Our certified compostable bags, sacks and liners are designed for applications connected to organic-waste collection and treatment. Our BioAgri mulch film is developed and certified specifically for biodegradation in agricultural soil.
Each product must be used in the application and end-of-life environment covered by its certification. This is how biodegradable and compostable materials can perform their intended role within practical circular systems.
Research, standards and waste-treatment technologies will continue to develop. Biobag will continue working to ensure that our products meet clearly defined needs and are supported by appropriate testing and certification.
