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<p>The Government recognises that innovation into biodegradable and compostable packaging
could help reduce the environmental impacts of packaging if it is disposed of in the
right way. However, currently this is often not the case. If biodegradable packaging
is put in the domestic waste bin, for example, it is likely to end up in landfill
and can break down to release powerful greenhouse gases, such as methane. If biodegradable
plastic is mistakenly recycled with other plastics, it has the potential to damage
the quality of the new products made from the recycled plastic.</p><p> </p><p>As a
consequence of these concerns, the Government published a call for evidence in July
2019 to help consider the development of standards or certification criteria for all
bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics to better understand their effects
on the environment and our current waste system. As we develop our proposals to reform
the packaging producer responsibility system we will consider the role of composting,
informed by the outputs of this work.</p><p> </p><p>Building on commitments in the
Resources and Waste Strategy we launched a consultation earlier this year on reforming
the packaging producer responsibility system, which proposed a mandatory UK-wide labelling
system that provides clear information to help people to recycle. Defra officials
are exploring how a mandatory labelling scheme can address consumer confusion about
what to do with compostable packaging. We will take primary powers in the Environment
Bill to enable us to implement a mandatory labelling scheme. The consultation closed
on 13 May and the summary of responses and next steps can be found via the below link:
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/packaging-waste-changing-the-uk-producer-responsibility-system-for-packaging-waste"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/packaging-waste-changing-the-uk-producer-responsibility-system-for-packaging-waste</a></p>
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