Sustainability News

Find our second part of answers to frequently asked questions on composting.Learn more about composting, compostable disposables and packaging, and circular disposal: how to turn waste into useful (local) resources, how you can help your business to reduce its environmental impact and take an active part in the circular economy!

Two years ago we commented in a blog article on the upcoming European ban on single-use plastics. As of July 3, 2021, new measures by the European Commission (EC) will enter into force that prohibit the use of single-use plastic to reduce the plastic soup. This prohibition is summarized under the "Single Use Plastic Directive" (SUP), an EU directive that bans the most polluting single-use plastic products. For a large part of these articles, Bio Futura has been offering only sustainable alternatives for more than a decade already.

Additionally, further measures are currently being developed by the national government to contribute to an improved recycling infrastructure and consumer awareness by providing information about reusable alternatives. With our specialist knowledge and tailor-made advice, we help our customers to facilitate the transition to products and (compostable) packaging made from renewable raw materials. We will ensure that you meet all measures and requirements on time. Simultaneously, we are still relentless in our focus on delivering sustainable quality at every stage of our value chain.

Find our first part of answers to frequently asked questions on composting. Learn more about composting, compostable disposables and packaging, and circular disposal: how to turn waste into useful (local) resources, how you can help your business to reduce its environmental impact and take an active part in the circular economy!

The German Witzenhausen Institute and the University of Bayreuth stated in a recent study that compostable bioplastic bags, certified according to the European standard EN 13432, do not pose any problems to the quality of the compost.

For over ten years, Bio Futura has been offering a wide range of sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic disposable tableware. Next to that, we are working on circular solutions for our sustainable disposables. In line with our vision and mission, we only offer compostable disposables and packaging made from renewable resources without compromising on quality. Together with our partners and customers we are actively driving the transition towards a low-carbon circular economy by preventing plastic waste. As Bio Futura is thoughtfully taking actions in this direction and because of strong customer demand, we have recently introduced an additional product line of biobased reusable durables. The marketplace has finally proven to be ready for sustainable durables. This new product category contributes to phase out single use - oil based - plastics and fits perfectly with our existing philosophy and know-how.

Let's talk about compostability and what you can do at home, yourself, everyday, no excuses: Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 28 percent of what we throw away, and should be composted instead. No bio-waste should end up in normal waste, where the valuable nutrients are destroyed in the incinerator or landfills, contributing to methane gas production, a potent greenhouse gas.

Certified wood and bamboo are currently important sustainable raw materials that can be used as an alternative to plastic for the production of disposable tableware and packaging.

From the 8 billion metric tons of plastics which have been produced since the 1950’s hardly 10% has been recycled. Recycling of plastic waste is problematic in general, but this pertains especially to the highly polluted, fragmented mix of household plastics. To make anything useful out of this diverse stream is increasingly becoming a herculean task. With the global production of plastic set to double within the next 15 years we need swift and concrete solutions. Marginal gains won’t get us out of this recycling mess. Fortunately, there are ways to solve it and biobased materials are part of the answer.

Thorough research commissioned by Italian bioplastics manufacturer Novamont shows that Mater-Bi, which is produced by the company, will completely biodegrade in the marine environment. Despite the presented evidence of Mater-Bi’s biodegradability, Novamont is, however, keen to stress that this is not an excuse for the improper disposal of Mater-Bi packaging or bioplastics products in general.

The amount of plastic waste in oceans and seas is growing rapidly and causes widespread concern. On 28 May 2018, the European Commission presented a comprehensive set of measures in the new single-use (SUP) directive to address the important issues of littering and marine pollution, with the additional objective to stimulate the circular economy.

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