Policy and reports

A report carried out by CE Delft looking at under which conditions bio-based plastics (both biodegradable and non-biodegradable) are compatible with the circular economy.

Trials of compostable plastic films in German composting and AD plants, 2017

Food waste: A response to the policy challenge
Created by the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor and the Defra Chief Scientist, this policy paper addresses the issue of food waste in the UK and makes recommendations on how it can be reduced at various points in the supply chain, from the farm to the household.

Despite great general benefits derived from plastic use, accumulation of plastic material in ecosystems, and especially microplastic, is becoming an increasing environmental concern. Microplastic has been extensively studied in aquatic environments, with very few studies focusing on soils. We here tested the idea that microplastic particles (polyethylene beads) could be transported from the soil surface down the soil profile via earthworms. We used Lumbricus terrestris L., an anecic earthworm species, in a factorial greenhouse experiment with four different microplastic sizes. Presence of earthworms greatly increased the presence of microplastic particles at depth (we examined 3 soil layers, each 3.5 cm deep), with smaller PE microbeads having been transported downward to a greater extent.

Investigation into plastic in food waste derived digestate and soil – Project report
Created by Aspray TJ (Heriot-Watt University) and Dimambro ME and Steiner HJ (Cambridge Eco Ltd), this report for SEPA investigates the potential impact of plastic contamination in agricultural soils to inform decision making regarding the production and use of food waste derived fertilisers. (Work undertaken between October 2016 and March 2017)

Opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules on the making available on the market of CE marked fertilising products and amending Regulations (EC) No 1069/2009 and (EC) No 1107/2009 (COM(2016)0157 – C8-0123/2016 – 2016/0084(COD))
Rapporteur: Elisabetta Gardini

This paper, produced by the Department for Exiting the European Union, outlines the UK’s objectives for an ambitious science and innovation agreement with the EU. It sets out examples of where the UK sees potential mutual benefit in a close working relationship, exploring precedents for each. The paper invites discussion with the EU on how best to shape our future partnership in this area.

Documents published as part of the European Commission’s approach to transparency on Article 50 negotiations with the United Kingdom.

Produced by researchers at the Agricultural University of Athens, this study, published in the Waste Management journal, looks at technical specifications appropriate for the recycling of agricultural plastic wastes (APWs).

This report, the fourth composed by Parliament’s Natural Capital Committee, sets out the work done by the committee since March 2016. It also makes a series of recommendations to government on developing the government’s 25 year environment plan.

Resource magazine published an overview of the current state of the bioplastics market, with particular emphasis on the UK and the challenges the industry faces in order to continue its growth.