The UK Government says it may introduce a ban on oxo-degradable plastics, following its consultation seeking evidence to develop standards for biodegradable, compostable and bio-based plastics. The consultation launched in 2019 and the responses have been published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It says it received 85 responses and are now exploring some issues raised in the government’s consultation on an extended producer responsibility scheme for packaging, as well as its consultation on introducing greater consistency for household and business recycling collections in England, which will be published in ‘due course’. It noted: ‘We may introduce a ban on oxo-degradable plastics, subject to further consultation.’
Government called for advice to identify gaps and provide expert advice on the overall sustainability of bio-based and biodegradable plastic products in comparison with those made from other materials. This included all aspects of a product’s life-cycle and it was set out that this would help in assessing whether technical standards or other related options were suitable mechanisms to add value for such products. It’s also sought advice on existing relevant plastic degradation standards and how, or if, they might be promoted without any adverse effects to the environment and disposal routes.
Government also looked at the design and implementation of standards for biodegradable plastics to ensure that they ‘fully biodegrade in a reasonable time-frame in specified environments’. Similar issues were raised in relation to compostable plastics, albeit with recognition that, unlike biodegradable plastics more broadly, there is a recognised standard that plastics suitable for industrial composting (but not home composting) should achieve. As with biodegradable plastics, the consensus was that compostable plastics should only be encouraged in very specific circumstances.
Source: Circular Online
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