Italian biotech firm, Novamont, is conducting blind tests on compostable fruit and vegetable bags made from the new third and fourth generations of its Mater-Bi biodegradable plastic in several European supermarket chains.
The company explained in number of European markets demand for compostable solutions is growing as a result of new national legislations restricting the use of traditional single use plastic bags.
For instance, Novamont noted that all plastic fruit and vegetable bags for self-service in French supermarkets will have to be “home compostable” – i.e. able to be disposed of together with household food waste and sent for composting. There is also a requisite to increase the renewable component (minimum 30% in the first year to rise gradually to 50% by 2020 and to 60% by 2025).