The BBIA has commissioned the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) to produce a report on the impact of the production and use of bio-based and biodegradable packaging in the UK.
BBIA feels that there is a lack of knowledge regarding the positive impacts in terms of investments, jobs, exports and reduced emissions, that would result were some packaging, especially food packaging, to be converted to compostable materials. Of course, some of this is already happening, pulled by market forces of companies seeking greater sustainability in their sourcing and a stronger marketing tool for the consumer. But the impact throughout the value chain is unquantified – it goes into agriculture, production of chemical polymers, conversion into products and sales through to the consumer market. A similar study was recently made for the European Commission by the Nova Institute, which you can download on this website.
We expect the BBIA report to be ready before the summer.