Recovery options

All waste management processes available for conventional plastics can be used for bioplastics. Biodegradability is an additional functionality that can be used to extend the recovery options for particular products. If bioplastics can no longer be reused or recycled, it is nevertheless possible to use them in the production of bio-energy.

As with conventional plastics, the manner in which bioplastics waste is actually recovered depends on the type of product and bioplastics material used, the inherent quantities and the recovery systems available.

Bioplastics can represent a valuable component in the closed loop system and thereby make a considerable contribution to sustainable development. To achieve this, they require time and successful market introduction. The European Lead Markets Initiative for Biobased Products acknowledges bioplastics as a valuable building block of a future bio-economy. Legislators should promote bioplastics and enable all recovery and recycling options. The consumer, the environment and not insignificantly, the waste industry will benefit from these new opportunities.