Policy and reports

This paper outlines the problems with the way UK greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories are reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Currently, emissions associated with waste treated through incineration are reported under the ‘energy’ inventory instead of ‘waste’.
Any emissions reductions delivered by waste recycling are also omitted, listed under the ‘industrial production and product use’ section. Defra’s reporting therefore only reflects what is reported to the UN under the ‘waste’ section – currently limited to emissions associated with landfilling and composting, with the former accounting for the majority of emissions.

Speaking at the IEA Technology Collaboration Programme webinar on the circular bioeconomy on 16 February, BBIA Managing Director David Newman highlights the need to align policies with ambitions.

This paper examines several strategies published by the UK Government since 2017, which relate to bio-based and compostable plastic. BBIA underlines the apparent strategic support for the production of bio-based materials in the UK and for the separate collection and treatment of certified biodegradable/compostable products post-consumption, highlighting the significant development of the industry in the UK since 2017 including as a result the funding for research, driven through UKRI.
BBIA finds, however, that the transposition of strategic direction into policies is often contradictory and detrimental to the bio-based and biodegradable industries sector. Policies so far, since 2020, have been implemented which either disregard Government strategies or are announced that intend to over-turn Government strategies. BBIA calls upon Ministers, the Civil Service and Parliamentarians, to respect the strategic trajectory laid down by Governments since 2017 when implementing policy decisions, thus supporting the industry and kick-starting major investments into the UK economy.

Composted Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) is used in agricultural soils as a source of organic matter and nutrients. Besides, its use avoids landfilling or incineration following the principles of circular economy. It is well established that source-separated OFMSW is suitable for compost production, but its quality depends on their content in non-compostable materials.
This study selects and examines the final refined compost from five OFMSW facilities over a five-month period, the results suggesting that the use of compostable polymers and the implementation of door-to-door collection systems could reduce the concentration of plastic impurities in compost from OFMSW.

The report assesses the U.S.contribution to plastic production and waste generation, the mechanisms that move plastics from land into
aquatic environments, and the distribution and fate of plastic waste entering the ocean. It recommends a national strategy for reducing the U.S. contribution to global ocean plastic waste, lays out a vision for a national marine debris tracking and monitoring system, and identifies priority knowledge gaps that are used in the national strategy along with the tracking and monitoring system.

This science note aims to set out the importance of carbon in soils, how it behaves, and the role it plays in supporting soil functions, delivering vital public goods and services, and helping societies adapt to and reduce the rate of climate change. It also strives to raise awareness of the main issues surrounding soil carbon and the actions that governments, communities and individuals can take.

This document compiles perspectives from industry experts – Paul Mines, Chief Executive of Biome Technologies; Adrian Higson, Managing Director of NNFCC; and Richard Platt, Managing Consultant atE4Tech – on the role of the bioeconomy in the climate change debate, as well as a series of policy recommendations on compostable packaging and other biobased and biodegradable materials.

This working paper is designed to guide and inform a growing number of conversations on plastic pollution and compostable materials. With legislation fast approaching which will make separate food waste collections mandatory across the EU block and England and rising public frustration with plastic packaging, clarity is needed on when it is responsible to use compostable materials and when it makes sense to use another material.
The document has been created for packaging designers and brand managers, ultimately focusing on one issue of concern – the health of our soils.

Tunisia faces challenging environmental and energy issues, relating mainly to the implementation of an appropriate solid waste management system capable of dealing with the high production of biowaste, and the increased need for water and energy resources. This study intends to develop a closed cycle technical concept treating mainly food waste through combined biological processes.

This policy document, published by the UK Government, outlines the Net Zero Strategy. The Strategy, the Government states, sets out measures to transition to a green and sustainable future, help businesses and consumers to move to clean power, support job generation and leverage up to £90 billion in private investment by 2030.
The document indicates that the Government will scale up the production of biofuels, amongst other low carbon alternative fuel sources. This, the document states, will contribute towards an overall emissions reduction of 39-51 per cent in the natural resources sector.

This paper, which was written by the European Circular Bioeconomy Policy Initiative (ECBPI) and its many academic supporters and research institutes, aims to inform EU policymakers about how to understand and recognise the connections between the quality and health of our soils, and their importance in combatting climate change. It additionally outlines how good waste management plays a critical role in supporting this, and how the bioeconomy can provide significant benefits for the EU economy and environment.

This study sets out to assess the five-year variable frequency of application of Compost Quality Alliance (CQA) tested municipal solid waste (MSW) compost effect on metabolic profiles of the edible portions of four different vegetable plants – lettuce, beetroot, carrot, and green beans.
The research concludes that the annual application of MSW compost enhanced amino acids, phospholipids, acylcarnitines, amines and choline but reduced glucose in the vegetables, urging further studies to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning such biofortification.