NEWS & FACTS

Compostable Straws

COMPOSTABLE STRAWS UNVEILED AS FIRST OUTCOME OF THE USABLE PACKAGING PROJECT The first demonstrator developed as an outcome of the USABLE PACKAGING project into disposable packaging components has been unveiled as a compostable straw made of a PHA polymer material. The solution was developed by project partner Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) and stakeholder OCENIC RESINS, both based in Spain. The USABLE PACKAGING project seeks to reduce the use of environmentally harmful fossil-fuel-based packaging Read more…

By USABLE PACKAGING, ago

USABLE PACKAGING on Spanish TV

On 3rd February 2020, the Usable Packaging project featured on the Valencia television channel À Punt, with a TV crew visiting Usable Packaging partner Bioinicia and interviewing Usable Packaging Project Co-ordinator and BioInicia founder Prof Jose Maria Lagarón, as well as Pablo Calvo, CEO of Ocenic Resins.  The report explains how Bioinicia manufactures a fully compostable packaging material from various organic residues, which can be used to replace the fossil-based plastic containers. It highlights the Read more…

By USABLE PACKAGING, ago

A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy

In 2018, the EU published a strategy to address the issues around plastics for up to the year 2030, saying that: «Too often the way plastics are currently produced, used and discarded fails to capture the economic benefits of a more ‹circular› approach and harms the environment. There is an urgent need to tackle the environmental problems that today cast a long shadow over the production, use and consumption of plastics. Rethinking and improving the Read more…

By USABLE PACKAGING, ago

End of waste criteria for biodegradable packaging

There are four criteria required for a waste material to obtain end-of-waste status:[1] the substance or object is commonly used for specific purposes; there is an existing market or demand for the substance or object; the use is lawful (the substance or object fulfils the technical requirements for the specific purposes and meets the existing legislation and standards applicable to products); the use will not lead to overall adverse environmental or human health impacts. Furthermore, Read more…

By USABLE PACKAGING, ago

Top 10 emerging technologies for 2019

Great news for all USABLE PACKAGING partners: A new report by the World  Economic Forum has listed “Bioplastics for a circular economy” No 1 in a list of the Top Ten emerging technologies of 2019.  An international Steering Committee of leading technology experts worked to identify some of the breakthrough innovations that are expected to radically impact the global social and economic order. “Biodegradable plastics can ease the problem of plastic debris killing wildlife, releasing Read more…

By USABLE PACKAGING, ago

What is biodegradable packaging?

Only compostable packaging materials adhering to the EN13432 standard can be considered ”biodegradable” in the context of the Waste Framework Directive 2008/92, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 96/82 and the Essential Requirements and additionally the Directive on Single Use Plastics (article 3, 16). Packaging materials adhering to the EN13432 standard demonstrate conformity with the Essential Requirements and end-of-waste criteria when organically recovered through composting and anaerobic digestion into compost or digestate produced to the national Read more…

By USABLE PACKAGING, ago

Getting biowaste to recovery, i.e. is it a permitted waste input?

Biowaste collections should allow the simultaneous collection of compostable packaging, but before biowaste is submitted to recovery, it needs to be recognised as a permitted waste input. ​ Food waste should be defined as per the Waste Framework Directive Article 3 point b.4.: “bio-waste” means biodegradable garden and park waste, food and kitchen waste from households, offices, restaurants, wholesale, canteens, caterers and retail premises and comparable waste from food processing plants;” Further, biowaste should include Read more…

By USABLE PACKAGING, ago