Compostable mono-layer films have almost double the global warming impact of traditional plastic and four times that of paper, a new study has found.
Sustainable packaging company Sourceful analysed 20 materials across compostables, virgin fossil, recycled plastic, paper and bio-based non-compostable packaging representing 75% of the market of biofilms.
According to the research with contributions from the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub at the University of Manchester, compostable packaging on average generated 228 grams of CO2 equivalent per bag, compared with 118 grams on average for virgin plastics.
When expanded to other impact categories such as water-use and land-use, this gap widened to approximately 2.5 times worse than traditional virgin plastic.
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A lack of composting infrastructure in the UK means only 3% of compostable packaging ends up in a controlled facility.
As a result, the remainder of this packaging releases 12 times more greenhouse gases than when properly disposed of.
“Compostable bags and films have been marketed as a green replacement to fossil-fuel plastic by virtue of being able to compost harm-free,” Sourceful CEO and co-founder, Wing Chan said.
“Research is showing that the conditions for this composting don’t exist in practical terms, and the carbon footprint of compostable bags is significantly worse than plastic, recycled plastic or paper options as a result.
“The increased carbon footprint of compostable bags and films contributes to global warming rather than slowing it. The practical reality of compostables does not reflect the narrative used to market them. We recommend avoiding and looking to switch out where possible in your supply chain.”
3 Comments. Leave new
plastic isn’t the problem. the way we use it and recycle it is. sort out how to recycle it into an endless loop and your half way there. plus stop buying rubbish you don’t really need and are advertised into buying,
Does this apply to all compostable plastics, or just bags as the article suggests?
Unfortunately, we can’t recycle in an endless loop as the plastic monomers degrade each time recycled so only a few recycles are possible. Logic dictates that if there is a non-plastic alternative, use that instead