The EEA briefing ‘biodegradable and compostable plastics — challenges and opportunities provides an overview of plastics that often are somewhat confusingly labelled as compostable, biodegradable, oxo-degradable and/or bio-based and what the terms mean.
Most plastics we use today continue to be made from fossil fuels in a process that contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions from their production, their use, through to their disposal. Recycling rates also remain low and plastics continue to pose a threat to our environment, through littering, improper waste management, and the wear and tear of products contributing to microplastic contamination in the environment. Plastics, including their chemical additives, can stay in nature for many years and potentially enter the food chain. In the wake of growing public demand, a number of manufacturers have introduced plastics that are considered bio-based, compostable or biodegradable. However, the market share for these types of plastics is only about 1 %.
Biome Technologies plc is a growth oriented, commercially driven technology group. The Group’s primary activity is the development of its fast growing business in bioplastics. The Group comprises two divisions: Biome Bioplastics and Stanelco RF Technologies.