Compostable plastics, double-digit growth

Biodegradable and compostable plastics, or bioplastics, are growing at double-digit rates. In Italy as well, production increased significantly in 2018 (+21%), reaching 88,500 tons. Data from Assobioplastiche’s annual report and some brief reflections on the topic.

The future of single-use. Is single-use the future?

The bioplastics industry denounces Italy's age-old slowness in outlawing a series of single-use items made of non-biodegradable plastics. Europe itself – with the SUP directive (Single Use Plastics) – has carefully avoided introducing a comprehensive framework of binding measures and targets for Member States.

Microplastics from traditional hydrocarbon-based materials, meanwhile, have officially become part of our diet. Equivalent to a credit card a week, according to recent studies conducted by Newcastle University (Australia) and Victoria University (Canada). Microplastics and nanoplastics circulate in the atmosphere – as well as in water and food – exposing humans and animals to certainly not minor health risks, even if still underestimated today.

Single-use  is undoubtedly the consumption paradigm to reform, within a circular economy logic whose first  dictate is to avoid producing anything that is not essential. Nonetheless – while awaiting an evolution in consumer behavior, as well as in policy and supply chain operators – the introduction of the obligation to use bioplastics instead of traditional plastics is a necessary step. With the dual purpose of reducing the use of non-renewable sources and mitigating marine pollution.

The experience of  shoppers

Italy was the first country in Europe to ban the use of lightweight plastic bags in 2011. A simple operation that in a few years allowed a drastic reduction in the consumption of plastics for the production of  shoppers (-55%, from 200 thousand to 90 thousand tons/year). In 2017 measures were then introduced to ensure the use of bio materials, certified as biodegradable and compostable, also for ultra-light bags.

The production  of bioplastics in Italy recorded an average annual growth of 11% between 2011 and 2018, precisely thanks to the demand for bags. Which increased in 2018 due to the extension of demand to ultra-light bags. Despite the damages caused by the circulation – still ongoing and unpunished – of  shoppers illegal polyethylene (PE) bags, falsely presented as 'bio'.

Thus developed an interconnected industrial supply chain, which interacts with organic waste collection and composting, but above all with agriculture. Which provides biomass – such as clippings and processing waste – and is at the same time recipient of both compost and biotextiles for mulching. Production costs are still higher than those related to hydrocarbon plastics because the technologies are relatively new, but research development will certainly overcome this challenge.

The theorems formulated by  lobby of the chemical industry – according to which a material that would withdraw resources and compete with the food supply chain should not be considered sustainable – certainly apply to  biofuels, palm oil  primarily. But not for bioplastics, given that crops intended to produce their raw materials in 2017 accounted for 0.02% of global agricultural land. And this is destined to decrease, as research is now oriented towards the use of plant waste as raw material for biopolymers.

All bioplastics, production in Italy

The Assobioplastiche report is encouraging. In 2018 there was almost double growth compared to the average of previous years, with a total turnover of about 685 million euros (370 million in 2012). The number of companies also increased, from 143 in 2012 to 252 in 2018, distributed as follows:

– producers of basic chemicals and intermediates (5),

– producers and distributors of granules (20),

– first processing operators (162) and

– second processing operators (65).

The production  of biopolymers, 88,500 tons in 2018, is in turn broken down as follows:

– shoppers single-use for shopping, 61%,

– ultra-light bags for loose food, 19%,

– waste bags for organic fraction collection, products for agriculture and catering,  packaging food and personal hygiene, 20% total.

Food packaging  made of bioplastic are another growing category. In recent years, for example, coffee capsules made of biopolymers have started to gain ground as an alternative to aluminum, polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Although this coffee consumption method – which alone in Europe generates about 70 thousand tons of waste every year, 11 thousand of which end up in landfills (European Commission data) – is an emblem of the superfluity of single-use packaging. It can also clog composting facilities.

Bioplastics, consumers and supply chain

Consumers are developing increasing awareness of the socio-economic and environmental impact of their purchase choices. Also thanks to the growing availability of news on independent information sites like ours or through initiatives such as  Cash-Mob ethical (#voteyourwallet). Thus, consumers start to favor products that truly correspond to fair and sustainable supply chains in their entire life cycle. Including packaging.

A recent IPSOS survey of Italian consumers – presented at the meeting ‘The third moment of truth: is sustainable packaging the new tsunami?’ – demonstrates the effectiveness of the ongoing information campaigns on the plastic problem:

– 50% of respondents consider the problem very serious,

– 46% considers the problem existing but not serious, hypothesizing that it can be solved (26%) and is caused by inadequacies in recycling (20%),

– only 2% do not view the issue as problematic and an infinitesimal

– 1% considers the debate useless alarmism.

The large-scale retail trade (GDO) has taken a leading role in recent years in adapting the offer to the growing ecological sensitivity of consumers. They have indeed been able to reward commitments and environmental sustainability certifications, the reduction of packaging and plastics, the resale of bulk goods (cleaning products, food and beverages). The processing industries of FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods), on the other hand, have so far shown little attention to these issues. However, they would do well to take action, even on their own initiative.

‘Who has the responsibility  to find a solution to reduce the amount of material used in product packaging?’ To the question posed by Ipsos in the cited survey, 39% of respondents answered that it is the ‘duty of the producing companies’, as well as those marketing FMCG. And nearly 50% of consumers express strong support for replacing traditional plastic with bioplastics.

A word to the wise is enough

Dario Dongo and Marta Strinati