Consumers are confused by the various forms of biopolymer packaging in the UK market, according to the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

Concern is mounting because the UK has seen significant growth in the development and use of biopolymer and compostable packaging in the retail sector, as an alternative to oil based polymers. Biopolymers are polymers derived from biomass. Research by WRAP has shown that consumers are confused with a wide range of terms such as ‘biodegradable’, ‘compostable’, ‘home compostable’ and ‘degradable’ all being introduced in the UK as bags, pots, trays, films or bottle formats.

Materials development manager Peter Skelton told MRW: “Consumers are generally confused by the different forms of biopolymers and degradable plastics as there are many different materials which present different benefits and issues. Consumers do like the idea of packaging that is biodegradable without understanding the issues.”

WRAP has said that clear labelling and guidelines for products would help users of these materials to gain a better understanding of their environmental benefits.

Most biopolymers are designed to compost in a commercial composting facility. Currently no UK local authority will accept biopolymer packaging in the organic waste collection, except kitchen caddy liners, due to the risk of contamination with conventional plastics.

A Guardian study found that biopolymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) caused environmental problems, such as releasing methane in landfill sites and contaminating waste streams. This could increase the cost of recycling or prevent it completely.

PLA is used by Marks & Spencer to package organic foods, salads, snacks, desserts, and fruit and vegetables. Sainsbury’s has decided not to use it, saying PLA is made from GM corn.

“There are some applications such as bottles where the current performance of biopolymers is less beneficial than in other applications. For example, fresh produce where the materials can bring benefits such as extended shelf life. Biopolymers should be used for those applications and in such a way as to maximise their benefits and to help consumers
understand their disposal options.”

Symphony Environmental, the oxo-biodegradable plastic company, said that oxo-biodegradable plastic had been left out of the general debate on packaging and that the material degrades quickly on land and sea and emits no methane.

A spokesman said: “It does not match up to oxo-biodegradable plastic which has no hazard of causing contamination because it can be recycled and it degrades.

"It is made from naptha, a waste product that you obtain from when you refine oil. This means you are not extracting oil from the ground because it has already been extracted.” It is made of an additive that enables the plastic to break down.

The British Retail Consortium said that understanding of bio plastics is progressing all the time and recycling processing facilities improve to encourage wider use of them.

Image: WRAP materials development manager Peter Skelton.