On January 18, the European Commission has published the online public consultation on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics under the contract “Support to the European Commission in preparation of an EU-wide policy framework on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics’. The consultation is open until March 15, 2022.
In the European Green Deal, new Circular Economy Action Plan and EU Plastics Strategy, the European Commission announced a policy framework on the sourcing, labelling and use of biobased plastics, as well as the use of biodegradable and compostable plastics.
In view of this framework, the Commission wishes to assess where the use of biobased feedstock leads to genuine environmental benefits, beyond reducing the use of fossil resources. The Commission also wishes to assess whether using biodegradable and compostable plastics can be beneficial to the environment, in what context and under which conditions. Moreover, the Commission would like to gather views on measures and policy instruments that can optimise the use of biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics while minimising risks.
The survey includes two sets of questions: one for citizens and procurers/users of plastic products (for example in the hotels, restaurants, canteens sector, agricultural sector, fisheries sector, organiser of large public events); and one for all other professionals and experts who have an interest in biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics in their professional life.
The survey can be accessed here.