Biodegradability of plastics in the open environment

The report recommends limiting the use of biodegradable plastics in the open environment to specific applications for which reduction, reuse, and recycling are not feasible. It also supports the development of coherent testing and certification standards to realise the potential environmental benefits over conventional plastics, and call for policymakers to promote the supply of accurate information on the properties, appropriate use and disposal, and limitations of biodegradable plastics and their applications to relevant user groups.

Drafted by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA) of the European Commission, this Opinion was informed by the evidence produced by the consortium Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA).

Edition / Volume: Scientific Opinion, 10
Pages: 40 p.
Standard identifier: ISBN 978-92-76-23786-0 / DOI:10.2777/690248