Choosing a compostable material is not enough for producers “to negate the impact” of plastic pollution, resources charity WRAP said today (6 February).
And, producers should avoid using terms such as 100% compostable to prevent the use of language that has “no specific meaning”.
The comments came in a guidance document the charity released to address confusion over compostable plastic packaging.
WRAP unveiled its guidance document this morning
Based on the products and infrastructure that are available to packaging designers and specifiers today, the guidance identifies key applications and opportunities for compostable plastic packaging, as well as the commonly made mistakes.
Helen Bird, strategic engagement manager at WRAP, said: “We know from research that 77% of citizens believe that compostable plastic is better for the environment than other types of packaging. However, compostable plastic is still plastic, and it is no silver bullet for solving plastic pollution.
“Businesses need to be clear on when it is viable, given the complexities surrounding current treatment infrastructure. When it comes to recyclability, WRAP is clear that a claim of ‘recyclable’ should only be made if it can be recycled in practice.”
Potential
The guidance stated that one of the most commonly cited situations where compostable plastics could be useful is for flexible packaging/products, which are likely to be contaminated with food and can facilitate the recycling of food waste.
The compostable packaging/product and food can, in theory, be disposed of together in organic collections, WRAP stated.
For example, tea bags can be made from or contain conventional plastic and will often be placed in an organic waste collection, therefore should always be made from compostable plastics.
Examples given by WRAP of good and bad communications
The document also stated that there is a strong correlation between the provision of caddy liners for food waste collections and take-up of those services by householders. Compostable food caddy liners are widely used in many local authority schemes.
Clear
Another opportunity outlined by WRAP was for loose fruit and vegetabables where clear and appropriate labelling is used. For example, loose fruit and vegetable bags, as well as other thin film packaging for fresh produce, are also a potential opportunity for compostable packaging.
“Although where possible, in particular when food waste is not likely to arise as an outcome, consumers should be encouraged not to use a bag at all,” the document says.
Communications
The guidance outlined three key considerations when developing a communication strategy for compostable packaging.
Firstly, the fact that there is currently no established system of guidance in the UK for the communication of claims related to the composability or biodegradability of plastics.
“Labelling exists only in the form of the certifications for compostability and these labels are unlikely to be understood by the majority of citizens. These provide no information about disposal, do not account for waste collection variations at a local level and there is no explanation as to where citizens can find further information,” the document noted.
Secondly, without a consistent UK waste collection system, it is difficult to convey the correct message to the consumer around how to dispose of compostable plastics. Lastly, language should be careful to ensure citizens are clear that littering is never an acceptable method of disposal no matter what an item is made of.
‘Critical’
WRAP’s Ms Bird added: “It is critical that end markets for recycled plastics are not compromised; people need clear instruction not to place compostable plastics in the recycling bin.
“But there are certain applications where it can be a helpful alternative to conventional plastics; absolute no-brainers include fruit stickers and tea bags.”
The full guidance can be read here.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Plastic
