The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released a briefing on ‘Biodegradable, and compostable plastics’ at the beginning of September.
Products like shopping bags, packaging or drinking cups are being increasingly promoted as greener solution than traditional plastic products for consumers. But how environmentally-friendly are they? The EEA briefing says clearer labelling and better public awareness will improve the correct disposal of these plastics so that they don’t end up doing more harm than good. In addition, further improvements in their use and disposal would help make their use more effective as the market for such products is likely to grow in the years ahead. Further, in a circular economy, which the European Union is working towards through the European Green Deal, all plastics should be recycled into new plastics as a first step.
The EEA briefing can be accessed here.