In a recently published briefing paper, the European Environment Agency (EEA) noted that recycled materials (including bioplastics), smart use, and increased recycling are the three pathways toward recycled plastics in Europe.
The EEA explicitly mentions that the use of bio-based plastics helps reduce reliance on fossil-based feedstocks and reduces greenhouse gas emissions if they are produced responsibly and recycled rather than burned for emissions. It can also promote rural development and reduce dependence on imported raw materials if they are locally sourced and sustainable.
Regarding the different feedstocks for bio-based plastics, the EEA promotes second and third generation feedstocks. They are not suitable for use as food and feed, including non-food crops such as algae or by-products of food and feed production such as corn stover and waste streams such as biowaste. While second and third generation feedstocks are increasingly being researched and used for industrial purposes, it is important to note that most bioplastics today are still produced from first generation feedstocks. First generation feedstocks come from carbohydrate-rich plants, such as corn or sugar cane, and remain the most efficient feedstocks because these crops require the least amount of land to grow and produce the highest yields.
The data show that by 2022, the land used to grow the renewable feedstock needed to produce bioplastics will account for about 0.015% of the global agricultural area. Even if global bioplastics production is expected to increase by 2027, the share of land use is only expected to increase to about 0.06%. This share is small compared to the available agricultural area. Therefore, EUBP, the European Bioplastics Association, believes that there is no competition between renewable feedstocks for food and feed and the production of bioplastics.
According to the EEA authors, the renewable materials pathway is the least developed in terms of commercial availability compared to the other two pathways. However, many of the identified examples of good practice clearly show a great potential for further development. This finding is in line with the EU Bioeconomy Strategy Progress Report published by the European Commission in June 2022. The report also recognizes the important role of bio-industries, including bioplastics, in addressing environmental challenges and providing viable alternatives to traditional fossil products.
However, it also identifies areas where improvements are still needed, particularly to further promote a regulatory environment that mobilizes private and public investment. It also highlights the need to ensure market access for successful research results in the biological field.
Therefore, the EU should adapt the regulatory environment for bio-based materials accordingly. Several legislative processes are currently underway and represent an important opportunity to promote these innovative and sustainable materials, in particular the revision of the current packaging and packaging waste regulations and the revision of the Bioeconomy Strategy.
