Examining sustainability claims for bioplastics

Berry, F; Dominish, E; Legg, R

Examining sustainability claims for bioplastics

Berry, F

Dominish, E Legg, R

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Publisher:: UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures
Publication Type:: Report
Citation:: 2023
Issue Date:: 2023-02-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Berry, F https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2167-478X
dc.contributor.author	Dominish, E
dc.contributor.author	Legg, R
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-10T00:40:39Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-10T00:40:39Z
dc.date.issued	2023-02-01
dc.identifier.citation	2023
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174176
dc.description.abstract	Bioplastics, including bio-based plastics (those made from plants) and biodegradable plastics (those designed to break down in nature) are becoming more widely used in Australia. This is driven by businesses and consumers looking for environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics and by single-use plastic bans being implemented in many states. However, the environmental outcomes of bioplastics are currently not well understood. WWF-Australia commissioned ISF to examine the sustainability of bioplastics in Australia, in order to understand the future use of bioplastics in Australia. The research was structured around four key research questions: What are the sustainability benefits and risks of bioplastics across the lifecycle? What has been the approach to bioplastics in Australia and the sustainability outcomes? Are there misleading claims being made about the sustainability of bioplastic products sold in Australia? What will ensure the sustainable use of bioplastics in Australia? ISF researchers undertook a literature review and interviews with eleven Australian experts involved in the production, use, composting and research of bioplastics and an assessment of sustainability claims of bioplastic products sold in Australia. The report found that bioplastics can play a role in reducing the environmental impacts of plastics and contribute to a circular economy, but are not a solution to the problems of plastic waste generation and plastic pollution. Bioplastics can lead to environmental harm in the same way as conventional plastics, such as contamination of soil and water, and harming of wildlife, if they end up in the environment.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures
dc.relation	World Wide Fund for Nature AustraliaP0114-UTS01
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Examining sustainability claims for bioplastics
dc.type	Report
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2024-01-10T00:40:32Z
pubs.commissioning-body	WWF-Australia
pubs.confidential	false
pubs.place-of-publication	Sydney, NSW
pubs.publication-status	Published online
dc.location	Sydney, NSW

Abstract:

Bioplastics, including bio-based plastics (those made from plants) and biodegradable plastics (those designed to break down in nature) are becoming more widely used in Australia. This is driven by businesses and consumers looking for environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics and by single-use plastic bans being implemented in many states. However, the environmental outcomes of bioplastics are currently not well understood. WWF-Australia commissioned ISF to examine the sustainability of bioplastics in Australia, in order to understand the future use of bioplastics in Australia. The research was structured around four key research questions: What are the sustainability benefits and risks of bioplastics across the lifecycle? What has been the approach to bioplastics in Australia and the sustainability outcomes? Are there misleading claims being made about the sustainability of bioplastic products sold in Australia? What will ensure the sustainable use of bioplastics in Australia? ISF researchers undertook a literature review and interviews with eleven Australian experts involved in the production, use, composting and research of bioplastics and an assessment of sustainability claims of bioplastic products sold in Australia. The report found that bioplastics can play a role in reducing the environmental impacts of plastics and contribute to a circular economy, but are not a solution to the problems of plastic waste generation and plastic pollution. Bioplastics can lead to environmental harm in the same way as conventional plastics, such as contamination of soil and water, and harming of wildlife, if they end up in the environment.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174176