Yesterday (30 November), the European Commission adopted the first parts of its long-awaited proposal for the second Circular Economy Package including a policy framework for biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics as well as a proposal for a new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). European Bioplastics (EUBP) welcomes the included new rules on packaging and bioplastics. The industry appreciates the Commission’s first comprehensive policy framework on innovative bioplastic materials as it acknowledges their potential to provide genuine environmental benefits. “EUBP in particular commends the Commission’s endorsement of the important role of compostable plastic packaging in the proposed packaging rules in reaching the ambitious waste and climate targets. However, we would have expected stronger support for the use of biobased feedstock” commented Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of EUBP, right after Vice President Timmermans and Commissioner Sinkevičius presented the proposal during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon in Brussels.
The bioplastic industry is especially relieved to see that an initially proposed partial ban on compostable plastic packaging was eventually lifted and compostable packaging solutions will continue to be allowed to be marketed and recycled in the EU. The PPWR proposal recognises the contributions of compostable plastics in increasing the volumes and quality of separately col