B4Plastics: Our shared passion needs your voice

The passion for a sustainable bioeconomy is the fuel that drives us at B4Plastics. The utmost importance of a shift to a circular bioeconomy has been recognized by the European Commission which resulted in the European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan. These aim to leverage the transition process by providing guidance in form of policies and legislations that are adapted in the European member states. Part of the Green Deal is a policy framework on biobased, biodegradable, and compostable plastics. The bioplastics policy framework has the potential to impact not only B4Plastics’ business and mission, but also the whole bioplastics industry in Europe including all its stakeholders. So, you as well.

The good news is that you have the chance to be part of the development process. Your voice for bioplastics counts. And we will show you how.

The first step in the framework development process is to gain insights into how different stakeholders (say private consumers, companies, business customers, etc.) perceive bioplastics and where they see a need for regulative action. Therefore, the European Commission opened an online public consultation which enables everyone’s contribution.

Indeed, EC questionnaires are not the fanciest activity to pursue, but thankfully it will only cost you less than 10 minutes of your time.

The 17 questions intended for bioplastic consumers consider topics such as your personal perception of the different kinds of bioplastics, whether you are likely to purchase them, what would help you to handle them correctly, whether you feel informed, in which products you see a potential for bioplastics, and how you see consumers behavior shifting. We at B4Plastics see a huge potential by smartly transitioning from fossil-based plastics to holistically sustainable bioplastics. But even the most sustainable innovation is only beneficial if acknowledged correctly by the ultimate users. Informed and engaged consumers are therefore essential. However, greenwashing is an increasingly appearing phenomenon that threatens the trust in biobased sustainable innovations. A reasonable framework to prevent greenwashing is extremely relevant. On the other hand, overly regulative legislation, limiting the use of biobased plastics to very few products, will hinder the power of green innovation and decelerate the change.

In view of the need for action we want to encourage anyone that has a heart for bioplastics to make use of the chance to actively participate in this process. Follow this link and join the public consultation. Deadline for your participation is the 15^th of March. Contribute through becoming an empowered active part of a new green economy and show your passion.

General information on the public consultation: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/news/public-consultation-biobased-biodegradable-and-compostable-plastics-2022-01-18_en

Link to the survey: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/BBCPSurvey2021

Choose “Questions for citizens and other potential purchasers of biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics.” as indicated below: