On 2 December 2015, the European Commission (EC) published the long awaited new Circular Economy Proposal. European Bioplastics (EUBP) welcomes the EC’s proposal and is looking forward to contributing to the debate on how renewable and biodegradable materials can best fit into this vision. “The proposal is an important step towards closing the carbon loop in Europe”, says François de Bie, Chairman of EUBP.
The Communication ‘Closing the loop – An EU action plan for the Circular Economy’ acknowledges that ‘bio-based materials present advantages due to their renewability, biodegradability and compostability’. The carbon loop, in which bioplastics play a key role, needs to be recognised and supported within the EU’s legislative framework. Furthermore, bioplastics should play an important role within legislation to revise waste targets, as they contribute to multiplying end-of-life options, such as mechanical and organic recycling, and waste to ‘bio’-energy. The material and environmental properties of bioplastics should also be recognised within the context of ecodesign measures.