This report for Compostable Coalition UK presents a cost-benefit (CBA) analysis of different options to manage the circularity of compostable plastic packaging in the UK.
The study evaluates the feasibility of integrating compostable plastic packaging into the UK’s existing (as well as future) waste management infrastructure, which generally does not currently accept this waste stream. It also analyses the financial and environmental impacts of compostable versus conventional plastic for certain packaging types and explores policy interventions to support the adoption of compostable plastic packaging.
Based on modelling several scenarios, the study identifies potential benefits from increasing the circularity of compostable plastic packaging, including net savings for local authorities, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and lower contamination of food waste sent to anaerobic digestion facilities.
The findings are particularly relevant in the context of evolving waste and resources policy in the UK. The new Extended Producer Responsibility regime and Simpler Recycling reforms aim to improve recycling consistency and funding for waste management, but they do not yet mandate the collection of compostable plastics. The CBA provides a robust evidence base for integrating these into policy on waste management.
The study was commissioned by TIPA Corp on behalf of the Compostable Coalition UK, a research project supported by Innovate UK, the UK Research & Innovation grant programme that funds the development and commercialisation of new products, processes, and services. Additional support for the research came from TIPA, Futamura, Vegware, Biome Technologies, and Novamont.
