Compostables and The UK Plastics Pact Helen Bird, Strategic Engagement Manager, WRAP 19.06.19

A world where plastic is valued and doesn’t pollute the environment This is the context for the UK Plastics Pact - with a clear vision to tackle plastic waste and the problematic plastics but not to demonise plastics. Keeping them in the economy and out of the oceans.

Targets - By 2025:

Recyclable and Compostable Ellen MacArthur Foundation definitions – Global Plastics Commitment “A packaging or packaging component is recyclable if its successful post-consumer collection, sorting, and recycling is proven to work in practice and at scale” Same should apply for compostable

Bio-based vs Biodegradable Not all biodegradable plastic is compostable, but all compostable plastic is biodegradable Not all bio-based plastics are compostable or biodegradable Compostable plastics are still plastics Source: WRAP (2018) Understanding plastic packaging and the language we use to describe it

Opportunities for compostable packaging Current applications Treatment infrastructure Direction of travel - applications & treatment Consumer messaging Providing information and guidance to inform decisions Report and decision tools NOT telling businesses what to do

Current market & applications 8k tonnes /0.5% of plastic packaging (Biomass Biorefinery Network BBNet) Film – bio-waste bags, carrier bags, fresh produce bags, magazine wrap Tea bags & coffee capsules Compostable fruit labels

Treatment Plastics recyclers want recyclable plastic – perceived risk of compostables is problematic Composters want green waste – plastic contamination is a big problem AD operators want food waste – don’t want plastic, but designed to tolerate it in order to get food waste Landfill – policy direction to move away from active waste EFW – environmentally better to burn bioplastics than fossil based

Paper Recycling Many new compostable products are made from paper with a compostable plastic liner All plastic is removed as contamination during paper recycling, but can potentially reduce quality so is not encouraged Some disposable coffee cups are now being made with a (compostable) PLA liner These are problematic for recyclers who specialise in cup recycling if plastic is separated for recycling Fibre-based compostable trays e.g. ready-meals. Not Open Air Windrow, PAS100 for IVC. AD?

Considerations for decision making Decision trees Is packaging necessary? Are re-usable containers an option? Is it to be used in food contact? Is food contamination likely to prevent recycling? Or assist in capturing food for recycling? Is there a viable collection and recycling pathway? Closed system? Is it rigid or film?

Questions to ask Is it certified to composting standard EN 13432? Equivalent performance? Affect on production process? Remember bio-based does not necessarily mean compostable

Communications

Communications Need for clear and consistent messaging Challenging for kerbside given the existing treatment infrastructure

Summary If packaging producers are concerned over the littering of their products, simply choosing a compostable plastic material is not enough to negate the impact. UK composting and AD infrastructure is generally not set up to take compostable plastics from kerbside at this time Not every UK household has the same collection system or access to organic collections – messaging from LA’s is mixed and often confusing. The use of compostable plastics where they increase or encourage the collection of food waste should be prioritised Other applications of compostable plastics need to be addressed on a case by case basis taking into account the limited infrastructure, but also the nature of any alternatives. Key packaging applications are those which have other benefits (i.e. better food waste management) and no other recycling route; closed systems are also preferable.

@helenbirdhouse | @WRAP_UK | #ukplasticspact