Up to 10% MaterBi in the recycling of PE plastic shopping bags (2).Up to 1-2% PLA in recycled PET plastic short-spinning plant (2).Up to 10% PLA in PS plastic re-granulates (1).Up to 3% PLA in post-consumer PP plastic recyclate (1).German and Italian researchers have found there was no reduction to quality, up to these levels: Studies have shown that low levels of bioplastics do not harm plastics recycling. As well as composting, PLA is suitable for mechanical recycling into new PLA, as practised by Looplife Polymers in Belgium. If there is a major increase in bioplastics volumes, then waste sorting facilities can be calibrated to recognise and sort bioplastics using near-infrared identification. Home composting conditions vary with the skill of the householder, so we don’t make any claims there, but there have been successful trials using hot compost bins.Ĭompared to conventional plastics, bioplastics currently represent a tiny fraction of packaging, so it is not currently economical to sort PLA from other waste streams.Please do not litter – compostable packaging is not expected to break down when discarded in the environment, and is not a solution to marine pollution.In landfill, studies have shown that compostable packaging is inert and does not give off methane.Incineration studies from NatureWorks, a key materials supplier of ours, show that their PLA bioplastic produces more heat than newspaper, wood or food waste also that it produces no volatile gases and leaves little residue. Some in the waste sector prefer plant-based materials over conventional plastics as they give off fewer toxic gases. If Vegware is incinerated, energy is produced. General waste goes to either incineration or landfill.Another reason is that food waste harms the quality of mechanical recycling – the same applies to any used foodservice disposables. Used Vegware should NOT be placed in standard recycling bins which collect paper, plastics and metals, as those materials go to a different type of sorting facility.Vegware’s takeaway packaging is made from plants, not plastic, using lower carbon, renewable or recycled materials, and these sustainability benefits still apply no matter what happens to them after use. Where there is no access to industrial composting, used Vegware should be put in general waste.

Our Environmental team offer our clients unparalleled zero waste support – see point 2 in our Composting FAQ. Vegware’s compostable catering disposables can biodegrade in under 12 weeks in commercial composting, which provides the perfect balance of microbes, moisture and warmth. Implementing this scheme has involved helping farmers to alter their growing practices for greater sustainability. Greenhouse gas emissions on farm level.

Social sustainability (child labour, workers protection, labour condition, land rights, training, water rights).

Environmental protection (protect natural vegetation & water courses, soil erosion, soil organic matter).

Agricultural practices (fertilizer & pesticide use, storage, disposal, tillage practices, equipment calibration, irrigation).

No sourcing from land with high biodiversity, high carbon stock or from peatland (2008 as the reference year).

This in-depth scheme demonstrates the sustainable growing practices for the plants used by NatureWorks to make PLA: The corn plants are grown using sustainable farming practices, without excessive pesticides and water use. In the same way that FSC can prove the sustainability of timber production, NatureWorks has independent ISCC PLUS certification – more info here. All of the corn plant is used, creating animal feed and many industrial products Sustainable growing practices

The big salad of sugar land