DUH ran misleading composting experiment
The German Association for Compostable Products (Verbund kompostierbare Produkte e.V., Berlin, Germany) expressed its strong disappointment over the latest field test on the compostability of bioplastics initiated by the German NGO Environmental Action Germany (DUH). In particular, the selection of the tested products as well as the composting conditions are considered misleading. “In general, we welcome any trial that examines how well our members’ products compost,” says Michael von Ketteler, Executive Director of the association. “However, in this trial we see fundamental errors the results of which were foreseeable before the trial began. An opportunity was missed here.”
Transforming the industry with recyclable biomaterials
Dr. Ulla Forsström is principal scientist at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and coordinates the EU-funded project INN-PRESSME supporting European SMEs and companies to develop bio-based solutions in the packaging, energy, transport, and consumer goods sector. In this edition of The Spotlight, Dr. Forsström gives her views on how recyclable biomaterials can transform the industry and how industrial partners can benefit from the knowledge gained in the project.
Notpla reaches Earthshot Prize final with dissolvable seaweed-based packaging
Home-compostable packaging innovator Notpla has been selected as one of three finalists for the “Building a waste-free world” Earthshot award. This “Nobel-like prize for the environment” – led by UK’s Prince William – is designed to incentivize, change, and help repair the planet over the next ten years. The award recognizes the “outstanding contribution” of Notpla to “build a world where nothing goes to waste, where the leftovers of one process become the raw materials of the next, just like they do in nature.