Europe produces millions of tonnes of waste every year, much less than what it recycles. To deal with the issue and grow in a more sustainable way, the European Union (EU) launched the European Green Deal. It includes a circular economy action plan. In this article, we take a deeper look into the issues of circular economy within plastic use, and how European projects like ReBIOlution are first in line to provide actionable solutions for a more sustainable economic growth.
What is the circular economy?
The term “circular economy” probably rings a bell. But it is more than a pretty idea. In short, it is a product design style that emphasises that once products are used, they can still have a positive impact. This comes from the “three Rs”, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, which indicate that product use must be reduced, they must be usable as many times as possible, and recycled when using them is no longer possible, to make other products with their materials.
While we must do our best to apply the three Rs to current products, it is even more important that we design new products with the circular economy idea in mind. Designing biodegradable plastics that can be manufactured from waste, or can be reused many times, are all ideas that move us towards a circular economy.
EU regulations and goals
So what is all this for? With the European Green Deal, the EU aims to move Europe to be the first climate-neutral continent in the world. The goal is to have no net emissions of greenhouse gases (including CO2) by 2050 and to decouple economic growth from resource use. This means that growth should not be based on more consumption of the limited materials we have on Earth. The circular economy principles are key to this goal.
For that, it both regulates and invests. Regulations on the Circular Economy Action Plan include monitoring material footprint and consumption footprint on the environment. Analysis of the life cycle of products is also used to know which products are more efficient and sustainable. Investment comes in the form of economic help to producers who align with circular economy guidelines, and to projects aiming to develop new solutions. That is where ReBIOlution comes in.
Circularity and bio-based products
A direct solution to advance the circular economy is to make products bio-based. Products made of plant materials can come from sustainable farming practices, and once used, they tend to be biodegradable. This means that, even if we cannot reduce, reuse, and recycle, the products can fertilise the soil for a new crop of plants, which can be made into similar products. Circularity at its finest!
Of course, biodegradable products also represent safer alternatives. If they are not recycled, they will still break down, reducing pollution and increasing safety.
Biodegradable plastics made from waste
ReBIOlution is first in line to help move Europe towards a circular economy, where we can keep growing without burning and polluting our one planet, Earth. The focus of the project is on making biodegradable plastics. Why plastics? There are many contaminant and non-degradable materials, but plastics are normally made from fossil fuels as well. At ReBIOlution, we research, test, and make, biodegradable plastics made from biomass.
This means that our plastics are made from plant matter, specifically plant waste. We make sure that resources that previously were going to be discarded, now become valuable plastic products. This way, we reduce the use of fossil fuels, make a biodegradable alternative, and do so from previous waste.
From the soil to the soil
One of the more important goals is to replace agricultural plastic. Plastic mulch is a cover for plants that is used in agriculture. Said plastic is often not recycled or even recovered and ends up polluting the soil and the crops we feed on.
What a more fitting solution than to make a biodegradable plastic mulch from plants, for plants? This way, the plastic can be used in agriculture and then discarded. It will break down due to its biodegradable nature and add nutrients to the soil. Then, with the leftovers of the crops, we can produce more, creating value at no cost to the environment. This is the core of ReBIOlution’s mission.