Biodegradable materials in the context of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

Subject: Biodegradable materials in the context of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

The Commission has rightfully made combating plastic waste a priority of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. All conventional plastic made from fossil oil or bio‑based materials will, as waste, contribute to the aggregating mass of microplastics threatening our ecosystems.

Unfortunately, even a massive uptake of conventional mechanical recycling can do no more than slow down the torrent of microplastics in the oceans. Mechanically recycled plastic has to be mixed with virgin oils and can go through recycling cycles only a limited number of times, after which it also becomes plastic waste and degrades into microplastics.

Improving existing recycling systems is therefore only an intermediary step towards circularity. Pathways to new effective recycling methods and sustainable innovative materials are needed. In particular, novel sustainable materials entering the markets for which sufficient waste streams are yet to be developed need to be carefully considered.

1. Given that chemical recycling is the method that is closest to creating a closed recycling loop for both conventional plastics and novel biodegradable and bio‑based materials and keeping the circulating carbon sequestered in products, how will the Commission promote the uptake of chemical recycling in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive?

2. How will it support the development of recycling streams for fully biodegradable bio‑based and non‑hazardous packaging materials?

Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission (4 July 2022)

1. Chemical recycling technologies could play an important role in the context of the need to increase the recycling of plastic packaging, complementing mechanical recycling, provided that they ensure positive overall environmental outcomes. In the process of the current revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) (1), the Commission considers specific targets for recycled materials in plastic packaging. Such minimum rates will incentivise investments in the best performing recycling technologies, which may include chemical recycling.

2. Under the PPWD revision, the Commission is considering introducing recyclability requirements for all packaging, as well as allowing for sufficient time for innovative materials to comply with those requirements. Furthermore, the review will address plastics’ biodegradability and compostability with a view to overcoming the cross-contamination of bio-waste and plastic recycling streams. It will also address how provisions on hazardous substances in packaging can be further strengthened and made coherent with the overall approach for assessing substances of concern and limiting their use and presence, which will also increase the uptake and confidence in secondary raw materials.

⋅1∙ European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste, OJ L 365, 31.12.1994, p. 10. | | ( | | )