Edie.net, 21
November 2013
 |
| Feedstocks such as sugarcane can be used to make plastics |
Big
consumer brands such as Nike, Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Coca-Cola and
the conservation group WWF have launched the Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance
(BFA), which will promote the development of plant-based plastics.
The aim of
the BFA will be to guide “the responsible selection and harvesting of
feedstocks – such as sugarcane, corn, bulrush and switchgrass – used to make
plastics from agricultural materials”.
The
organisation, which also includes Ford, Heinz, Nestle and Danone, intends to
bring together experts form industry and academia to develop and support
“science, collaboration, education and innovation and to help guide the
evaluation and sustainable development of bioplastic feedstocks”.
A number of
companies across the globe are looking to use plant-based plastics in their products.
For example, packaging giant Tetra Pak recently told edie that it was
considering a roll-out of bio-based polyethylene in its carton packs across the
world if a trial in Brazil is successful. More of its customers demand the
product.
The WWF also
said that consumers across the world are increasingly looking “for more
sustainable products, including those made from plant-based plastics”.
Speaking
about the new bioplastic alliance, WWF senior programme office for packaging
Erin Simon said: “This alliance will go a long way in ensuring the responsible
management of natural resources used to meet the growing demand for
bioplastics.
“Ensuring
that our crops are used responsibly to create bioplastics is a critical
conservation goal, especially as the global population is expected to grow
rapidly through 2050.”
Liz Gyekye
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