1. Compostables and The UK Plastics Pact
Helen Bird, Strategic Engagement Manager, WRAP

2. A world where plastic is valued and doesn’t pollute the environment
This is the context for the UK Plastics Pact - with a clear vision to tackle plastic waste and the problematic plastics but not to demonise plastics. Keeping them in the economy and out of the oceans.

4. Targets - By 2025:

5. Recyclable and Compostable
Ellen MacArthur Foundation definitions – Global Plastics Commitment
“A packaging or packaging component is recyclable if its successful post-consumer collection, sorting, and recycling is proven to work in practice and at scale”
Same should apply for compostable

6. Bio-based vs Biodegradable
Not all biodegradable plastic is compostable, but all compostable plastic is biodegradable
Not all bio-based plastics are compostable or biodegradable
Compostable plastics are still plastics
Source: WRAP (2018) Understanding plastic packaging and the language we use to describe it

7. Opportunities for compostable packaging
Current applications
Treatment infrastructure
Direction of travel - applications & treatment
Consumer messaging
Providing information and guidance to inform decisions
Report and decision tools
NOT telling businesses what to do

8. Current market & applications
8k tonnes /0.5% of plastic packaging (Biomass Biorefinery Network BBNet)
Film – bio-waste bags, carrier bags, fresh produce bags, magazine wrap
Tea bags & coffee capsules
Compostable fruit labels

9. Treatment
Plastics recyclers want recyclable plastic – perceived risk of compostables is problematic
Composters want green waste – plastic contamination is a big problem
AD operators want food waste – don’t want plastic, but designed to tolerate it in order to get food waste
Landfill – policy direction to move away from active waste
EFW – environmentally better to burn bioplastics than fossil based

10. Paper Recycling
Many new compostable products are made from paper with a compostable plastic liner
All plastic is removed as contamination during paper recycling, but can potentially reduce quality so is not encouraged
Some disposable coffee cups are now being made with a (compostable) PLA liner
These are problematic for recyclers who specialise in cup recycling if plastic is separated for recycling
Fibre-based compostable trays e.g. ready-meals. Not Open Air Windrow, PAS100 for IVC. AD?

11. Considerations for decision making
Decision trees
Is packaging necessary?
Are re-usable containers an option?
Is it to be used in food contact?
Is food contamination likely to prevent recycling? Or assist in capturing food for recycling?
Is there a viable collection and recycling pathway? Closed system?
Is it rigid or film?

12. Questions to ask Is it certified to composting standard EN 13432?
Equivalent performance?
Affect on production process?
Remember bio-based does not necessarily mean compostable

13. Communications

14. Communications Need for clear and consistent messaging
Challenging for kerbside given the existing treatment infrastructure

15. Summary
If packaging producers are concerned over the littering of their products, simply choosing a compostable plastic material is not enough to negate the impact.
UK composting and AD infrastructure is generally not set up to take compostable plastics from kerbside at this time
Not every UK household has the same collection system or access to organic collections – messaging from LA’s is mixed and often confusing.
The use of compostable plastics where they increase or encourage the collection of food waste should be prioritised
Other applications of compostable plastics need to be addressed on a case by case basis taking into account the limited infrastructure, but also the nature of any alternatives.
Key packaging applications are those which have other benefits (i.e. better food waste management) and no other recycling route; closed systems are also preferable.

16. @helenbirdhouse | @WRAP_UK | #ukplasticspact