The EU Plastics Strategy aims for a circular plastics economy where plastic materials are kept in the loop as long as possible by promoting reuse and repair, remanufacturing, recycling and prevention of plastic waste. The new Circular Economy Action Plan adds that a policy framework on the use of biodegradable plastics (amongst others) will be developed (foreseen for 2022), based on an assessment of the applications where such use can be beneficial to the environment.
In this framework, Eunomia Research & Consulting Ltd and its partners, Deloitte and ENT will present you the result of the study on “ Conventional and Biodegradable Plastics in Agriculture”, prepared for DG Environment of the European Commission.
This study quantifies current levels of consumption, separate collection and flows through different end-of-life management routes of each category of agri-plastics in the EU. The problem drivers associated with improper collection, low reuse and recycling of conventional agri-plastics are analysed. A similar analysis is done for biodegradable agri-plastics. The study then formulates policy recommendations. In general, the choice between the use of conventional and biodegradable plastics in agriculture will depend upon the local collection situation and the grower’s requirements.
