This report, for the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, results from our study of the current status of bio-based and biodegradable plastics in Denmark and builds on similar work undertaken for the Norwegian Environment Directorate.
The Danish Government has a consolidated action plan for plastics as a result of its 2018 National Plastic Action Plan and subsequent political agreement of 30th January 2019. While bio-based and biodegradable plastics account for a small part of plastic consumption, production capacity is growing but knowledge is still limited and there are some common misconceptions.
The report delivers some key global market research information, for example:
- Bio-based and biodegradable plastics account for > 1% of the global plastics market
- Production capacity of bio-based and biodegradable plastics will grow by 2–3% annually
It also found that, in Denmark, typical use of bio-based and biodegradable plastics is predominantly as bags for food waste and that, as biofuel is the most widely used treatment for food waste, biodegradable plastic is removed along with other impurities at pre-treatment plants before processing.
The report also outlines a series of possible uses for biodegradable plastics in Denmark as part of efforts to reduce the climate and environmental impacts of fossil-based plastic consumption.
