Fighting marine litter: The contribution of plastics which are biodegradable in the marine environment

Thursday 7 June 2018, 10:00-12:00

ASP 3H1 European Parliament, Brussels

Chaired by Angélique DELAHAYE MEP & Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS MEP

Co-Chairs of the “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services” Working Group of the EP Intergroup on “Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Development”

In January 2018, the European Commission presented its Strategy for plastics in a circular economy. The Commission’s vision to prevent plastics from ending up in the environment includes improving re-use, sorting, collection, and recycling of plastic waste in Europe, as well as encouraging research and innovation, and increasing international cooperation as oceans have no boundaries. The Commission acknowledges that for certain products and applications biodegradable plastics can offer a solution if they offer a positive effect on the environment. The Commission also states that it will remain particularly attentive to innovations of plastic materials that are biodegradable in water and that are not toxic for the environment. Yet, there are perpetuating misunderstandings about bioplastics and biodegradable plastics that are commonly mistakenly associated with oxo-degradable plastics.

The aim of this conference is to bring together policy-makers, the research community, private sector, and NGOs to engage in an informed debate on the topic of biodegradable plastics in the marine environment and the potential solution they represent, and thereby the need to have a clear definition and a clear norm at EU level on marine biodegradability.