Page 37 - Plastics News February 2019

internAtionAL news

Turkish university students UK thinks tanks says Plastics

produce edible plastics Packaging Plan urgently needed

aziantep University's (GAUN) Department of Food new report from
GEngineering's students have produced starch-based A a UK think tank
edible plastics to support the Zero Waste Project. To has called for “bold
support the Zero Waste Project, seniors Melis Öcal, Güneş natio nal” action
Zübarioğlu and Pınar Altaş and postgraduate student from businesses and
Hatice Yaprak launched a study about three months ago the government to
on biodegradable film that is both edible and dissoluble combat the problem
without causing any residue in nature. Students have of plastic waste.The
produced biodegradable films from starch and foodstuffs “Plastics Packaging
in large quantities, aiming to contribute to both the Plan – Achieving Net
economy and the environment.Speaking to Anadolu Zero ‘Waste’ Exports”
Agency (AA), Hatice Yaprak said that various studies are report, published by
carried out for zero waste projects in Turkey and the Policy Connect and backed by MPs from multiple
world. She stated that they want to make a contribution parties, states the UK needs a holistic, coherent plan to
to these studies. Touching on the contribution of take responsibility for its contributions to global plastic
the production of food-based edible plastics to the pollution. It recommends authorities move toward a
environment and economy, Yaprak said, "Our aim is to more circular, sustainable approach to plastic waste
contribute to the economy, to produce new products management in the dual interests of addressing the
at low cost and to be environment-friendly. The edible plastics problem and promoting British innovation and
green jobs. The UK uses 3.3 million tonnes of plastic per
year, much of which is exported to other countries for
disposal, where it ends up either in landfills or in the
ocean. According to the Plastics Packaging Plan report,
ending this practice by imposing a “zero export” policy
could reduce annual CO2 emissions by the same amount
as taking 45,000 cars off the road.
The report contains 18 recommendations for government
bodies and businesses, including: increasing the UK’s
recycling infrastructure and raising staffing levels
accordingly;
plastics we have produced are dissolved and lost in nature • Streamlining the recycling process for citizens;
and can be recycled again." Yaprak noted that plastics
made of petrol pollute the environment and harm living • Adopting stricter policies and clear targets to
creatures, emphasizing that it is hard to eliminate their reduce the use of plastics, with a target of zero
harmful effects. She underlined that they are trying to plastic waste exported by 2030; and
produce food-based edible plastics in order to bring a • Updating the design of plastic packaging to make
solution to this problem and start domestic production. it less wasteful and boost the use of recycled and
"We want to contribute to the national economy with recyclable materials.
environment-friendly and low-cost edible plastics. We aim
to use it in packaging and other areas. So, people can live Jonathan Shaw, chief executive of Policy Connect,
in a healthier environment. It will not harm a person when said: “Britain’s used plastic export habit is costing our
it is eaten as it is completely food-based. For example, economy and the planet. British consumers want to
packaged bread can be eaten with the plastic around recycle more but our lack of UK reprocessing plants
it. Our product is starch-based and will not be harmful. and circular policies are letting them down.

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