Policy Gaps and Opportunities in Bio-Based Plastics: Implications for Sustainable Food Packaging
The increasing use of bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics reflects a global push towards more sustainable materials. In the context of food packaging, where plastic waste and contamination risks are acute, these materials offer promising alternatives. However, the transition is complex, requirin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Foods |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1955 |
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| author | Walter Leal Filho Jelena Barbir Madhavi Venkatesan Amanda Lange Salvia Andrea Dobri Neda Bošković João Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio Ian Ingram Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis |
| author_facet | Walter Leal Filho Jelena Barbir Madhavi Venkatesan Amanda Lange Salvia Andrea Dobri Neda Bošković João Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio Ian Ingram Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis |
| author_sort | Walter Leal Filho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The increasing use of bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics reflects a global push towards more sustainable materials. In the context of food packaging, where plastic waste and contamination risks are acute, these materials offer promising alternatives. However, the transition is complex, requiring coordinated regulatory interventions and lifecycle assessments (LCA) to avoid unintended environmental and health consequences. This paper outlines the pressing need for policies that guide the development and deployment of bio-based plastics in food-related applications. It provides a policy-oriented synthesis focused on Europe and discusses recent concerns such as toxicity, end-of-life impacts, and food safety. The study draws from the literature review and regulatory analysis to suggest policy mechanisms that can accelerate safe, circular solutions in food packaging. Methodologically, this communication uses qualitative synthesis of scientific and regulatory data to assess gaps and align innovations with sustainability targets. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ee620ada376544d6b5eabcbe45a94757 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-ee620ada376544d6b5eabcbe45a947572025-08-20T03:46:49ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-05-011411195510.3390/foods14111955Policy Gaps and Opportunities in Bio-Based Plastics: Implications for Sustainable Food PackagingWalter Leal Filho0Jelena Barbir1Madhavi Venkatesan2Amanda Lange Salvia3Andrea Dobri4Neda Bošković5João Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio6Ian Ingram7Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis8Research and Transfer Centre Sustainability & Climate Change Management (FTZ-NK), Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, 21033 Hamburg, GermanyResearch and Transfer Centre Sustainability & Climate Change Management (FTZ-NK), Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, 21033 Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Economics, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USAGraduate Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285, São José 99052-900, PF, BrazilResearch and Transfer Centre Sustainability & Climate Change Management (FTZ-NK), Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, 21033 Hamburg, GermanyInstitute for Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Montenegro, Cetinjski put b.b, Podgorica 81000, MontenegroResearch and Transfer Centre Sustainability & Climate Change Management (FTZ-NK), Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, 21033 Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, John Dalton Building, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5DG, UKFernando Pessoa Research, Innovation and Development Institute (FP-I3ID), University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril 349, 4249-004 Porto, PortugalThe increasing use of bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics reflects a global push towards more sustainable materials. In the context of food packaging, where plastic waste and contamination risks are acute, these materials offer promising alternatives. However, the transition is complex, requiring coordinated regulatory interventions and lifecycle assessments (LCA) to avoid unintended environmental and health consequences. This paper outlines the pressing need for policies that guide the development and deployment of bio-based plastics in food-related applications. It provides a policy-oriented synthesis focused on Europe and discusses recent concerns such as toxicity, end-of-life impacts, and food safety. The study draws from the literature review and regulatory analysis to suggest policy mechanisms that can accelerate safe, circular solutions in food packaging. Methodologically, this communication uses qualitative synthesis of scientific and regulatory data to assess gaps and align innovations with sustainability targets.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1955bio-based plasticsfood packagingplastic pollutionsustainable materialstoxicitypolicy |
| spellingShingle | Walter Leal Filho Jelena Barbir Madhavi Venkatesan Amanda Lange Salvia Andrea Dobri Neda Bošković João Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio Ian Ingram Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis Policy Gaps and Opportunities in Bio-Based Plastics: Implications for Sustainable Food Packaging Foods bio-based plastics food packaging plastic pollution sustainable materials toxicity policy |
| title | Policy Gaps and Opportunities in Bio-Based Plastics: Implications for Sustainable Food Packaging |
| title_full | Policy Gaps and Opportunities in Bio-Based Plastics: Implications for Sustainable Food Packaging |
| title_fullStr | Policy Gaps and Opportunities in Bio-Based Plastics: Implications for Sustainable Food Packaging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Policy Gaps and Opportunities in Bio-Based Plastics: Implications for Sustainable Food Packaging |
| title_short | Policy Gaps and Opportunities in Bio-Based Plastics: Implications for Sustainable Food Packaging |
| title_sort | policy gaps and opportunities in bio based plastics implications for sustainable food packaging |
| topic | bio-based plastics food packaging plastic pollution sustainable materials toxicity policy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1955 |
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