Eunomia conducted a milestone study on the market and policy landscape for post-consumer bioplastic waste from both residential and commercial sources in North America. The report assesses the current state of recycling for the material market as a contributor to a circular economy. It also identifies barriers to recycling and makes recommendations for how to overcome these and increase circularity.
The study focuses on packaging – the largest application in Canada and the US – including food service ware. Reducing waste and closing material loops, so that more bioplastics waste is recycled into new materials, will not only cut carbon emissions and minimise environmental impacts along the value chain, but also create valuable economic opportunities.
The report provides overviews of the value chain, current market, and market trends for bioplastics. The study is designed to support key actors’ collaboration and knowledge-sharing and recommend ways that policymakers can improve the circularity of the material.
Eunomia conducted this study (along with two others for paper and plastic waste) on behalf of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, which brings together a wide range of actors to seek ways of protecting the shared environment and supporting sustainable development across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. A separate set of reports assessing the Mexican policy landscape and markets for paper, plastics, and bioplastics will be published later in 2025.
