Policy brief: Compostable plastics

There is no system for collection or processing of compostable plastic in the UK. Government must develop plans for dealing with this growing waste stream.

View the policy brief on the Plastic Waste Innovation Hub website

Accessible website version of the brief

Compostable plastics are a small but growing part of the plastic packaging system. There is widespread confusion about what they are and how to dispose of them. Incorrect disposal risks contaminating the plastics recycling and food waste collection systems and without a dedicated UK-wide collection and processing system, compostable plastics are not an environmentally favourable option. This briefing explores how the UK could move to a more sustainable system.

Funder

The Plastic Waste Innovation Hub has been fully funded through a UKRI/EPSRC PRIF grant (EP/SO24883/1).

Lead researchers

Dr Teresa Domenech Aparsi, Charnett Chau, Dr Kimberley Chandler, Dr Dragana Dobrijevic, Professor Helen Hailes, Lewis Hall, Dr Leona Leipold, Professor Paola Lettieri, Nancy Lu, Professor Francesca Medda, Professor Susan Michie, Professor Mark Miodownik, Dr Candace Partridge, Danielle Purkiss, Professor John Ward, and Ruby Wright.

Output type

Policy brief

PIU lead

Jenny Bird